U12 Panthers come back three times - to draw with the Whirlwinds

11 September 2011

A ding-dong affair in the Panthers' opening fixture of the season saw them concede and equalise three times on a windy afternoon in Timperley village.

Throughout the game, each time it appeared the boys were doing enough to take the lead, they conceded a goal. On each occasion, they gathered themselves together and started afresh.

The larger goals are lilkely to feature in numerous match reports this term, and the Panthers failure to close down attacking players as they come into shooting range cost them again today. Henry was stranded as the ball looped over his head and the Whirlwinds took a 1-0 lead early in the game.

The score did not change before half time, as the Panthers saw lots of the ball but struggled to beat the Unicorn offside trap.

Parity was restored shortly after the break as James found Matias with a strong clearance; Matias made some space for the shot and curled the ball over the 'keeper from the edge of the area, into the top-right corner.

The Panthers has good chances to take the lead - including two 1-on-1 opportunities that were placed wide of the advancing keeper . . . but unfortuately also wide of the Unicorn goal.The home side looked dangerous coming forward although the Wilmslow back four managed to minimise goal scoring chances. Ultimately, it was the Panthers failure to clear the ball from a corner that cost them - the Whirlwinds reclaimed the lead with a close range finish inside a packed penalty area. 2-1. Some Wilmslow heads dropped and changes were made.

The Panthers again enjoyed a series of promising attacks and Nathan was unfortunate to see his toe-poked effort roll wide of the post after beating the keeper. Then Jack picked up the ball and the pace, collecting wide on the left and breaking into the Unicorn box before shooting low across the keeper and inside the right hand post. 2-2.

With ten minutes to play the momentum was with the visitors, but the Whirlwinds continued to threaten on the break. Clear cut scoring chances were at a premium and with two minutes left on the clock the Whirlwinds were awared a free kick 15 yards outside the Panthers' box. [We've been here before, haven't we?] The free kick sailed over the wall, over attackers and defenders in the area, and Henry was unable to prevent it crossing the line. 3-2 down with full-time looming.

Past experience of similar late misfortune, coupled with the week's training tribulations, suggested the game was lost. However, the boys picked themselves off the floor, set about the opposition in a frantic final 90 seconds and found themselves an equaliser - Jack crossed from the left corner, Josh Wheeler was unable to bundle the ball over the line, but did enough to help the ball towards Matias, who gleefully tapped it in at the far post.

3-3 at the final whistle. One point gained? Two points lost? Either way, an exciting start to the Panthers' first season in the top divison, and an indication that we can look forward to more of the same fare over the coming months.

Source: A Wheeler

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