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2 October 2011 Match report for Wilmslow Town U13 Panthers 5 - 2 home win against Unicorn Athletic JFC U13 Rockets (02/10/2011)
Kyle handed the goalie gloves over to Ed today as the Panthers lined up: Ed in nets; a back four of Neil, Kyle, Ted and Max; Midfield of TC, Jamie and Charlie; Kieran and TB on the flanks and Joe up front, while Adam, Braden and Harry eagerly awaited coming off the 'bench'. Kizzer, we wish well, as he recovers from a twisted/sprained ankle. Thanks to Dave and the Unicorn Athletic Rockets for a great game and to Ed Pitt for refereeing the game.
The first half started with the Rockets exploding into action, while the Panthers looked jittery as they negotiated new roles with each other. The Panthers had been vulnerable to the ball over the top recently and the Panthers' more established defenders were keen to ensure this continued :-). However Kyle had other ideas, which were not met with agreement. Inevitably within five minutes Ted was positioned too high up the pitch to deal with a ball over the top, after a poor pass had caused the Panthers to lose possession. Despite Kyle's efforts to get back and cover the fiery Rockets' forward Jordan finished in style giving Ed no chance. The Panthers continued to wobble and within another few minutes the story was repeated. This time Kyle was not close enough to be able to influence as Ted struggled to catch Jordan's breaks as he ran onto the ball over the top Suffice to say he stole a brace within 10 minutes. 0-2 down and not looking likely to get back into it until something changed. Gradually the Panthers started to get the ball down and play their football, as Kieran and TB became more influential on the flanks and TC, Charlie and Jamie started to take control of midfield. Jamie had a good shot that was 'caught' by a defender but the ref didn't see it as handball :-). Joe's pace up front was beginning to create dangerous opportunities that the Rockets managed to just about keep at bay, with the help of an upright that shuddered as one of Joe's shot rocketed off it. Then the Panthers won the ball in midfield and TC played a superb ball into Kieran, who controlled well with his first touch, shimmied his way past a couple of Rockets' defenders and side-footed past the goalie. Game on....
Braden, Harry and Adam replaced Joe, Jamie and Neil as the Panthers worked to get level and gradually took charge of the game as Kyle and Ted tightened up the centre of defence, Harry defended wll in midfield freeing up Max and Neil to get forward and support the attack, which they did well. TC and Charlie were combative in midfield making sure the Rockets' midfielders had little time to create. The Rockets won a couple of corners but the Panthers defended them well. Braden ran his heart out up front, holding the ball up well and getting into good positions. His passing was accurate and intelligent and ensured that, even with his back to goal, the Panthers maintained the pressure. And so despite being 1-2 down at half time the Panthers were well in the game.
The half time team talk explained the way the team needed to defend the ball over the top again and suggested that if they keep playing our pass and move style of football they could win this game. The Panthers kicked off the second half quickly, Jamie replacing Charlie, as the midfield worked the ball quickly, got the ball to Braden who in turn laid off Kieran. He, once gain beat a couple of defenders with his customary drop of the shoulder, to get his second of the game - 2-2. Harry by now was well into the action winning the ball in the air and getting in some really good tackles. Kyle also snaffled out a few attacks with well timed challenges and used his incredible ability to play accurate longer passes, to the Panthers' advantage, as he set Braden off on a few through balls. Braden was incredibly unlucky not to get onto the score sheet. What was very pleasing was the Panthers, for the first time, were really winning the aerial battle with Max, Kyle, Ted, Harry and Jamie all looking commanding in the air. Charlie, Neil and Joe replaced Max, TB and Ted as the Panthers shuffled the pack for the final third.
Soon the Panthers were marauding forward down the left as Jamie, Charlie, Braden and Kieran linked up for Kieran to get in a shot which was parried by the goalie and Joe was in likelightening to beat the Rockets keeper as the Panthers edged in front. The Panthers kept up the pressure and it wasn't long before Jamie played a sublime ball into Joe's path to bury for his second. The Rockets fire had not been extinguished altogether as the captain hit an excellent strike from 30 yards that ricocheted off the bar and out into the woods. That was the second time the Panthers had been saved by the bar in the game. Buoyed by this the Rockets tried to get back into the game but were prevented by Jamie with the most powerful first time clearance of the day and TC who got in a brave challenge that unfortunately left him injured and unable to finish the game. Ted came onto replace TC to good effect, making his presence felt as he relished the box to box nature of the midfield role, while providing additional cover for the defence. Joe had another good shot saved as he tormented the Rockets' defence. Then with a few minutes to go Braden put Kieran clear on the overlap on the left wing, Kieran put in yet another sublime cross that missed out Joe to find Adam, who had started to look very dangerous down the right. Adam cut in to finish in style from just inside the box. Adam had another gilt edged chance to make it 6 but shot just wide,and so at 5-2 the game finished.
A very good performance by all the lads today, showing spirit and determination to get back into the game then some ruthless finishing to ensure that the Rockets had no chance of getting beyond the initial blast off. Throughout the game Ed did very well on his first outing for the Panthers in goal having no chance with either goal, but more pulling off some great saves and distributing the ball well and intelligently. Kieran was superb on the wing, getting in numerous dangerous crosses and scoring two excellent goals to open up his account for the Panthers in the league (Bronze). Joe was strong, pacey and skilful causing the Rockets no end of problems causing through the middle (Silver). Braden worked harder than ever both up front and on the left wing, continually linking up play for the others around him to get on the score sheet as well as going close himself. Very good performance Braden (Gold and Man of the Match)
Crunchie Moments: Kieran for great following in on the keeper, which earned him his goal, Harry for some great tackling and dogged defending, and Adam for a well taken goal not long after joining the field
 MOTM: Braden Harris Silver: Joe Saks Bronze: Kieran Maguire
Team : E Storer, M Forde-Dunlop, K Lord, H Mail, T Strang, N Woodward, T Botham, T Collicott, A Leigh, K Maguire,
J Nugent, C Sciple, B Harris, J Saks
 Goals : A Leigh, K Maguire (2), J Saks (2)
 Assists : T Collicott, K Maguire (2), J Nugent, B Harris
Referee : Edward Pitt
Source: Clive Tyldesley << to news index
Wilmslow Town U13 Panthers : More Information
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