U13 Panthers run riot in Wythenshawe - smashing in 9 while avoiding piles of dog....muck

9 October 2011

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Hollyhedge Park provided the venue for the Panthers latest outing as TC and Braden drew the centre back short straw and Kyle took the gloves back again. Neil and Charlie took up the full back births whilst Kieran, Jamie and Ted patrolled the middle of the park. TB and Ed marauded down the flanks while Joe led the line up front.

The Panthers got off to a slow start, mainly due to a number of interruptions for dog faeces to be removed with various implements from the pitch -none in the centre circle today though unlike last week! When they finally did get going, Kieran pulled a groin muscle slightly and had to leave the pitch to be replaced by a very eager and slightly over heated Adam, who realised very quickly that this game was going to be feisty and got a little feisty himself. After being told to calm down, he and the other midfielders got hold of the ball and started to play some better football. TB and Adam combined well for Neil to deliver a perfect cross that Jamie met at full tilt at the back post to volley home - 1-0 to the Panthers.

Minutes later TB and Neil combined down the right, slipped the ball inside to Ted, who found Adam in some space who laid it off to Jamie. Jamie then slotted a precision pass through the Wythenshawe defence for Joe - who seeing Ed in a better position - passed it back to him, and Ed finished well in the bottom right corner. 2-0. And so after a stop-start beginning the Panthers were up and running. Wythenshawe had looked dangerous on the break but TC and Kyle, with the help of Neil, Braden and Charlie, kept them at bay. After 20 minutes Kieran returned to replace Ted, while Harry and Max replaced Jamie and Joe. Ed moved into the lone striker role and the game continued. One of the Wythenshawe players was getting a little overly aggressive, and was sensibly removed from the pitch by his manager until he had calmed down. Ed was unlucky to not be given a penalty after a deliberate body check, but this was one of the few moments the Panthers rarely threatened during the last fifteen minutes of the half. Despite now playing against a depleted Wythenshawe team, the Panthers made hard work of it. They insisted on giving the ball away, up front, being overly greedy in front of goal when players were in much better positions and basically playing without a midfield. The Wythenshawe goalie, some great defending particularly by their number 4, as well as poor Panthers work in the final third, ensured that the Panthers did not add to their tally before half time. On the other hand,  the lack of  deeper lying midfielders ensured TC, Braden and to some extent Charlie were overworked dealing with long balls out of defence. The excellent Wythenshawe numbers 9 and 10 worked tirelessly and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Fortunately the Panthers had TC and Kyle, who ensured that this was not going to happen, through some excellent rearguard work.

Half time couldn't come too soon. The Panthers were reminded that passing accurately, keeping the ball to wear the opposition out and maintaining the shape of the team were extremely important. Then, once they had finished moaning about the penalty that never was, about the kicking they were getting, and returned to the field with a final message of keeping cool in the face of provocation, the Panthers began to play some football. This time the game shifted to the left with Charlie, Max and Kieran combining brilliantly, Kieran crossed the ball superbly into the box, Ed unable to reach the ball conventionally flicked it over his head to Max, who poked it right footed into the net, for his first competitive goal in three seasons playing for the Town. Harry, Kieran and Adam all played a little bit deeper and that enabled the Panthers to take full charge of the game. Max came close to getting a second when his shot rebounded off the bar. Ted returned to the fray to replace Braden who had done very well in his first game at centre back, playing the ball out intelligently especially in the second half. At the same time, Joe and Jamie replaced Ed and TB, Harry shifting wide as Jamie took the central role in midfield. Very soon the Panthers had made it four with Adam heading it onto Joe to finish. 4-0.

The play continued to build down the left while Charlie and Ted and particularly TC kept snuffing out the  Wythenshawe attacks. Wythenshawe got more frustrated as the chances to break the Wilmslow defences came to nought, However the superb number 10 who was now in frequent combat with TC, did everything to score as he worked his way tenaciously past a couple of Panthers and crashed his shot against the bar. The number 9 (now playing at centre back) also tried to take the Panthers attack on singlehandedly in an excellent defensive display. But the Panthers quality shone through, as they rose above the heavy challenges and verbal volleys they were receiving to play the best football of the game. Max and Kieran working it down the left won a throw. Max responded quickly, throwing it immediately to Kieran who beat a couple of defenders for dead and the lobbed the advancing keeper and final defender with a superb strike from 20 yards. 5-0

Then it was the turn of Neil to turn provider as he crossed it in, for the excellent goalie to misjudge catching it as Harry bravely got on the end of it to nod the ball into the net. 6-0. Next Kieran switched the play to the right with a superb ball to Harry, who took the ball into the box, shot well, but the goalie parried it out to Jamie who, with excellent technique, played a perfect dipping shot over the goalie from 25 yards out. 7-0. Then Kieran, who was now flying, nearly had his shirt ripped off him, as he was pulled back in the box having jinked his way past a few hapless defenders. By popular request, Kyle came up from his position between the sticks to put away a venomous, but well placed penalty, that the goalie did very well to get a hand to, but it was just too powerful a shot to save. 8-0. Then to cap it off, another slick move involving Jamie, Charlie, Kieran and Max, led to Max putting an inch perfect ball through to Adam who, having previously nearly scored after a wonderful mazy run into the box, finished this time with style to make it 9-0. Neil could have made it 10 as Jamie once again, played the ball off unselfishly to Neil, whose shot was saved rather than go for his hat trick, having already allowed Kyle to take penalty earlier so he as goalkeeper could get on the score sheet - true teamwork! With a couple of minutes to go, TC and the Wythenshawe number 9 were in an altercation where the referee was unable to get a clear view on what happened. Nevertheless, it left TC pole axed on the ground. Why? Because once again, TC had put in yet another superb challenge that ensured Kyle kept his first clean sheet. The final whistle sounded before tempers got any more frayed and the Panthers could be proud of a job very well done in a feisty match, where they always played the game the way it was meant to be played. They did themselves, their parents and their managers proud!!!

Kyle and TC were superb today ensuring a clean sheet was kept on numerous occasions. Neil was fantastic in attacking and defensive play. Braden and Charlie were both solid in defence too. Harry and TB both had very good games, playing both tenaciously and creatively. While Kieran, once recovered from his pull early on played a blinder! Joe looked every bit as dangerous up front frequently causing havoc, while Ed also had a good game spoilt slightly by trying to do too much himself and not using his teammates in better positions to score goals. No doubt this will come as Ed gets used to playing as part of a football team again after a year out. Ted had a great game in both midfield and defence, enjoying the physical nature of the contest very much.

Max played out of his skin on the left wing, causing damage very time he got the ball down the Wythenshawe right. He showed great touch, willingness to work hard and track back as well as silky skills and pace as he beat defenders. He also showed a good understanding of when to pass and when to hold on to the ball and played well for his teammates getting two assists to demonstrate this.  He also finally got off the mark with a much deserved first goal and was unlucky not to get a brace with the rocket off the bar. (Bronze).

Jamie was cool and collected as he orchestrated a lot of moves with pinpoint passing and selfless willingness to pass to his team mates, even when on a hat trick. He was commanding in the air winning a number of aerial challenges and also putting real effort in to working box to box. He also scored two excellent goals, one following up as instructed into the six yard box and the other the more familiar technically excellent dipper from 25 yards (Silver).

Finally Adam, played with tenacity and skill, battling away in challenges, passing and moving continually. He also showed awareness of when to pass and when to take defenders. He scored a cracking goal, laid on Joe's goal with a superb pass and was unlucky also not to get a brace after dancing past 5 Wythenshawe tackles before his shot was saved by the excellent Wythenshawe goalie (who really did not deserve to have to pick the ball out of the net 9 times). Today Adam epitomised what should be seen as the Spirit of the Panthers fighting for every ball and playing with flair and confidence while passing the ball accurately, moving into space and when chances present themselves in front of goal, burying it in style. Deservedly Adam was awarded Man of the Match (Gold)

Chocolate Moments: awards this week went to TB for his Cruyff turn, Jamie for following in on goal to score, Max for the rocket that hit the bar - a superb shot that almost went in, and Charlie for some excellent clearances in defence. Finally, an award for TC, who for once wasn't the most ginger head on the pitch! Yes, not all of these awards are serious ones, but he also deserved it for the superb job he did in the team's most unpopular role of centre back.

Source: Jim White

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