U10 Panthers back on the winning trail - Wilmslow come out top in battle of the Panthers

16 October 2011

Having suffered two defeats on the bounce, the Panthers had something to prove as they welcomed their namesakes from Altrincham to the Jim Evison Playing Field on a bright autumnal morning.

First Period

Gabriel started between the posts, with Ben and Davy in defence. Hayden and Jack occupied the wide berths, with Marcus anchoring the midfield and Dillan up front.
Altrincham started the better, and the game was only two minutes old when a pass from midfield bisected the defence to leave the visitors' centre forward with a one-on-one opportunity. He buried it, leaving Gabe with little chance. Once again, a slow start found the Panthers playing catch-up.
The home team knuckled down, though, and soon started making chances of their own. A lovely through ball from Marcus just got away from both Dillan and Hayden, before Dillan had a shot of his own charged down by the defenders. Marcus was unlucky to hit the post after a corner.
Davy, Ben and Gabe were relatively untroubled at the back as Wilmslow pressed for an equaliser. Marcus got a firm grip on the midfield, and he and Jack produced some good interplay on the edge of the box. Another Marcus effort was saved, and Hayden fired just over before the referee called an end to the period with Altrincham still a goal to the good.

Second Period

Chris and stand-in assistant Russ brought on Max, Ollie, Martin and Sam for the second period. Max took his place in goal, Ollie and Martin renewed their defensive partnership, and Sam took the central midfield role. With Davy pushed up to the right wing, only Jack and Dillan retained their first period positions, wide left and up front respectively.

Despite the changes, Altrincham settled first once again, and Martin was forced to clear off the line after a scramble in the Wilmslow box. Fortunately the boys recovered their composure, and moments later Dillan forced another save from the Altrincham keeper. Then the Panthers finally made the breakthrough, as Martin brought the ball out of defence and, scarcely over the half-way line, looked up and unleashed one of his trademark rockets. The ball flew beyond the Altrincham keeper and the match was level.
A minute later another Martin shot took a deflection and hit the post with the keeper stranded. But it was Altrincham who bagged the next goal. Their winger made space down the right and smashed the ball into the box, where it unexpectedly snuck in at the near post. The visitors had the lead again.
It took more Martin magic to bring the scores level again; another of his long-distance efforts was blocked by a defender, but the referee judged that a hand had been used, and he pointed to the penalty spot. Martin placed the ball, and when everyone expected him to put his foot through it, he placed it calmly in the bottom right-hand corner to make it 2-2.

Wilmslow were full of belief now, and could have added another just before the break when a lovely ball from Ollie just ran through to the goalkeeper before Dillan could get a toe on it.

Third Period

For the final period, Max continued in goal, with Ollie and Sam in front of him. Martin was pushed forward into midfield, and Ben played wide right with Marcus returning to play wide left. Hayden led the line.
This time Wilmslow found a much better start to the period, with Martin showing good awareness on the edge of the Altrincham penalty box to play Hayden in. Hayden's drilled it into the net, and finally the home team had the lead.

A few minutes later, Ben had a shot saved, but it wasn't all going Wilmslow's way. Max needed good hands on a couple of occasions; Ollie had to make a decisive tackle when he was the last man; then, halfway through the period, having just replaced Max in goal, Gabe found himself up against another one-on-one, which he dealt with brilliantly, smothering the shot and then pouncing on the loose ball just before the striker could get there.

It took a combination of Martin and Marcus to finally make the game safe; Martin beat a man on the touchline with a deft turn, and his cross evaded defenders and keeper alike before being turned in by Marcus to make it 4-2.

Although Sam came close late on, and Gabe was called on to save again right on the final whistle, that was an end to the scoring, and Wilmslow were back to winning ways.

Summary

All in all a welcome and deserved victory for the lads, against a determined and skillful performance from the visitors. Hayden and Sam were awarded the silver and bronze man of the match awards respectively, but to nobody's surprise Martin walked away with the gold award, after a towering performance.

Source: steve mainprize

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