U13 Cougars struck by lightning - Cougars battle hard but just fall short

2 October 2011

After a couple of morale boosting victories over local rivals Wilmslow Sports the Cougars travelled to Flixton to take on Urmston Lightning. The Cougars had a squad of 14 to select from with only Joey missing from the action.

1st Half

The first half was extremely tight with few clear chances. both sides looked to be playing a 4-5-1 formation and as a result the midfield was congested. Ben came closest to scoring for the Cougars with a shot that just went wide.

As the half progressed Urmston forced the Cougars back and Patrick was forced into a number of saves. although solid the defence were having trouble clearing the ball and it kept coming back quickly. although they were battling away bravely the midfield were getting overrun and the Cougars were the happier to hear the half time whistle with the match still scoreless.

2nd Half

The Cougars started the second half brighter and Will K made some good runs down the left but each time nobody could get on the end of his crosses.

Urmston were applying pressure and won a series of corners. From one of these the deadlock was broken with an attacker heading in unmarked at the near post. Trying to come back the Cougars committed players forward Ben and Jake had a good move with each having an attempt on goal before the ball was finally cleared to safety.

Chasing the game the inevitable happened and Urmston doubled their lead with a break down the left , with too many Cougars forward an attacker had time and space to pick his spot from the edge of the area firing low into the corner beyond Patrick's despairing dive.

The Cougars continued to press but despite Atakan imposing his authority on the midfield could not fashion any clear cut chances.

Summary

Despite several good individual performances the team will be disappointed not to have taken anything from this match. The shape was slightly better today but goal scoring opportunities were thin on the ground. Man of the Match was deservedly awarded to Atakan who seemed to pop up all over the pitch urging the Cougars on. The boys will be looking for a more attacking showing against bottom of the table St Johns at home next week.

 Manager's Comments

Again i was absent due to my studies but have had various reports.  Going down 2-0 away to what is essentially a team from a higher division isn't bad going at all.  We just need to organise ourselves a little better and this is something I'm determined to work on the next few weeks.

I'm told the goals were poor and had an element of luck.  No one can legislate for luck or heavy handed tactics which i believe were also on show from the opposition.

Keep going guys and OUR luck will turn and like Bill has mentioned above, plenty of attacking next Sunday please!

Source: bill kennedy

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