U10 Panthers slip up in the wet - Panthers dominate possession but cannot peg Broadheath back

8 October 2011

After a really close game last week aginst a strong Fletcher Moss team where the Panthers just went down by the odd goal in 5 in tropical conditions they  travelled to Altrincham on Saturday to take on Broadheath Central Eagles.

The conditions were far more appropriate to football with steady drizzle throughout which would make handling difficult for all 3 keepers.

Broadheath had not won a match this season so far but the Panthers were reminded beforehand not to take them lightly and use the wide pitch to their  own advantage.

The Panthers started with Max between the posts, the familiar defencive pairing of Ollie and Martin, in front of them were Jack and Ben in the wide positions with captain for the day Sam central, and Davy in attack. Running around on the sidelines this week to keep warm  rather than sheltering in the shade were the 4 substitutes Gabriel Marcus Hayden and Dillan.

1st Period

The Panthers started the brighter and Ben had the first attempt on goal which the Broadheathkeeper saved well with his legs. More at home on a big pitch the Panthers looked to get the ball wide , they played some good approach football without creating any clear cut chances. Martin also supporting from the back was looking to test the keeper from range with some powerful shots.

The deadlock was finally broken when Sam chanced his arm from outside the area, his strong shot was too powerful for the Broadheath keeper to hold, and Davy who has a knack of being in the right place at the right time was on hand to snap up the rebound and open the scoring for the Panthers which was no more than they deserved on the run of play.

Broadheath although a small team had some tricky forwards who Ollie was handling well, but they pulled level after a good move down the right which ended when an attacker was tripped in the area. Max who had been handling and distributing well had no chance with the penalty which was dispatched into the bottom corner levelling the scores.

2nd Period

All 4 substitutes appeared for the second period with Dillan and Hayden looking to restore the Panthers lead. Gabriel was soon in the action as well saving with his legs from a one on one and then brilliantly tipping a powerful strike over the bar.

Hayden who had showed some good touches in previous weeks and had been unlucky not to get on the scoresheet soon rectified this. He played a good one-two with Davy and burst down the right, feinting to cross he unleashed a great strike that the Broadheath keeper got a hand to but could not stop from creeping over the line.

Ahead for the second time the Panthers could not again press the advantage home. Broadheath went on the attack scoring 3 goals in quick succession, despite Marcus's efforts in the middle the Panthers were too stretched and Broadheath took their opportunities well.

3rd Period

The Panthers laid seige to the Broadheath goal in the final period Dillan,Hayden and Ben all went close and Martin again tested the keepers handling from distance., like the previous week though it was not to be, there was some great passing but the final ball or shot on goal tended to be rushed,

Davy back on again did pull a goal back just before the end after a good move down the right , the Panthers then launched a final attack which ended with the ball on the goal line agonisly wedged between the keepers legs, it was eventually cleared despite Davy's efforts to put the ball and the keeper into the net at the same time.

Summary

The Panthers will probably feel robbed after dominating the game and having by far the greater possession and attempts on goal. A valuable lesson will be learned though in that in football league position counts for nothing, and all that matters is scoring more than the opposition. Again today the Panthers played some lovely football, at times almost looking for that one pass too many. It will only be a matter of time before their fortune in front of goal changes, and with a little more composure they will soon be back to winning ways and  again challenging for promotion.

Sam was deservedly awarded man of the match today just ahead of Hayden and Gabriel after showing how versatile he can be in both midfield and defence.

Source: bill kennedy

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