Panthers realise that the Stingrays do sting - but claw their way to a well fought win

6 November 2011

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The bright autumn sunshine provided the perfect setting for the Panthers to exorcise last Sunday's drubbing with a win.  Jamie took the gloves (as the Panthers say a sad farewell to Kyle as he moves on to pastures new....we think. He will be sorely missed). TB, Neil, Ted and Charlie made up the back four, TC captained the team once more running the midfield with Ed and Braden, While Kizzer and Max took to the flanks and Joe led the line. The Panthers got off to a nervy start and looked defensively frail early on, particularly on the left. This became even more apparent when the Stingrays stole in to take an early lead.It became clear part of the cause was Charlie was carrying a growing pains injury in his left thigh that prevented him being his usual immovable self. He was replaced by Harry and the team reshuffled to accommodate the change. Neil went into midfield and Max dropping back to left back, while Braden pushed up onto the wing.

Undeterred by going behind, the Panthers slowly clawed their way back into the game, and when Max delivered a dangerous throw that was deflected to Kizzer, Kizzer buried it superbly to draw level. 1-1.  Within minutes of the restart it was joy down the left that provided Kizzer with his second of the game, as Ed played in a great ball for him to put the Panthers up 2-1.  TC and Neil were battling hard to win the midfield battle while TB, Harry Ted and Max all made well timed challenges to keep the Stingrays at bay. However it was poor defensive clearances that let the Stingrays back into the game as the defence struggled to clear the ball away after a period of Stingray pressure. 2-2. As the half went on, Braden, Ed and Max all linked up well down the left to create opportunities to break down the Stingrays defence, with Joe almost getting through from good balls from them on a number of occasions. Neil and TC at times looked majestic in midfield, although the Stingrays fought hard.  Ironically it was TC who hurt Neil most, (despite the number 16 having a good go) as he blasted one ball into his midriff, Neil collapsing winded badly enough to think he'd been pole axed. Eventually it was Ted who put Joe through from a long clearance, who finished in style to ensure the Panthers took the lead again. Jamie had to pull off a good save on the ground to prevent the Stingrays equalising. Then when Harry lost his footing and put the Stingrays in on goal, Jamie once again caught well to keep them out. While Kieran, at the other end, had a couple of chances to grab his hat trick. Firstly he hit the bar, but it was judged rightly to be offside anyway. Then with another superb strike, he had the Stingrays' goalie at full stretch to pull off a fingertip save to deny him again. All the reward Kizzer got was a bad knock to the head. And so the first half ended although the Panthers were making very hard work of it!

The boys were told to relax, pass, move, let the ball do the work and try to get to the ball first each time and if they did, then they should win the game. Jamie and Ted swapped the gloves and goalie jersey, Braden moving to centre back, while Ed moved onto the wing and Jamie slotted into midfield.  The Panthers took control of the game from their kick off, with both sides of the pitch threatening. TB and Kizzer worked very well together, while TB ensured there was going to be no joy down the Panthers right, while Max did the same down the left linking up well with Ed. Braden looked assured in the unfamiliar role making confident and accurate clearances, while Harry kept the back door shut should the Stingrays catch the Panthers on the break. Neil and TC began to dominate with Neil showing what a classy player he can be. Jamie threaded inch perfect passes through to Joe and Ed, who were both getting in great crosses that just failed to find the finishing touch of a Panther. The Panthers looked more like the team we have grown to know and love as the confidence seeped back into their play. When TC, and Jamie linked up to put Ed through he cut in and shot, only to hit the post, but the ricochet fell to Kieran who buried it for a very well deserved hat trick...great following in. And so it was when Joe skinned a few Stingrays for fun and buried his second, the game appeared to be won.  However the Stingrays still had the sting in the tail which could hurt the Panthers, and after a slight defensive lapse, with the Panthers having taken the foot off the gas, they got a third.  Before the finish the Panthers had a chance to make it 6 after Joe, the Stingrays' tormentor, was felled in the box, but Jamie having hit the penalty sweetly enough hit the post.  And so the game ended 5-3.

The Panthers got better as the game progressed today despite only 12 being available and with Charlie such an important player being unable to continue from so early on. The passing and movement re-emerged as their confidence came back. It was largely due to how well the team performed in the second half that Ted had so little to do except take a few goal kicks. Notable performances, particularly from Neil, TC and TB, with Harry, Jamie, Braden, Ted and Ed, all playing their part too, ensuring a good overall team performance. That said the additional plaudits go to Max who played possibly his best game this season, as he looked extremely assured again at left back (Bronze); Joe who showed a Panther's bite is worse than the Stingray's sting, as he ensured they were run ragged throughout the game, scoring two excellent goals and going close on a few more occasions (Silver); and Kizzer, who has been improving steadily over the last few games as he becomes increasingly influential and deservedly got a hat trick, which with a little more luck could have been 5 or 6 (Gold). Kizzer not only scored three good goals, but also worked hard and fought tirelessly throughout a thoroughly deserved Man of the Match performance.

Thanks to Chris, Tony and the Timperely Villa lads for making it such an enjoyable game.

Chocolate Moments: Crunchies for Kieran for his hat trick, TB for some great marshalling of the back line and Joe for some great crossing into the box. Wispas to Jamie and Ted for their stints in goal and also to Neil for getting up and getting on with it, despite being winded so badly.

Source: Phil Thompson

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