Town Win Derby Day Fire Cracker! - U15's Sparklers, Blaze to Glory!

Fireworks Display on Derby Day!

Wilmslow Albion u15’s 2

Wilmslow Town u15’s 3

On a beautiful autumn afternoon at Albion’s Oakwood Farm the scene was set for a firecracker of match between the Towns two u15’s giants. A large crowd of around 40 gathered to see a fiercely contested battle which Town took control of from the start.

The boys followed orders to play a high tempo game from the start and not let Albion settle for a minute. The manager made it clear in his pre-match team talk that if they didn’t win this match then a battle against relegation was a distinct possibility such was their recent poor run of results.

The management selected a team to counter Albion’s physical game with the usual backline of Henry in nets, Jordi, Sam, Jimmy and Lawto. On the left wing Deano, right wing Fordy and the midfield of G and Brandon. Up front were Bundy and Jacko.

With plenty of power, guile and pace in the side Town had nothing to fear and so it proved. They fought for every ball and chased lost causes launching raids down both flanks and threatening down the middle whilst winning the battle in the middle of the park.

After ten minutes of constant pressure the Albion defences frustration showed when Oli Ford was barged over from behind. He crumpled to the floor clutching his shin in apparent agony as the rest of the team looked around for a sniper! “Penalty” was the refs call and Oli sprang to his feet Lazarus like.

Sam stepped up to fire home from the spot to send the Town supporters into rapture. Nothing less than the boys deserved.

Albion began to get back into the game and the quick number 10 sprang the defence on the left a few times but stiff resolve and Jims head prevented any attempt at goal. In fact it came as a surprise when Albion did draw level and then indeed take a 2-1 lead before half time.

Henry had to take the blame for both goals which were gifts to a grateful Albion who didn’t really look like getting back into the game. Both goals came from high balls which the keeper failed to handle and fumbled the ball to Albion’s strikers.

The manager let rip at half time and was clearly not happy with the way the opposition had been let back into the game. The Fergie hairdryer looked feeble compared to the rollicking doled out by the gaffer.  They were told to up the tempo again and that only a win was acceptable. With their ears still ringing and the manager still foaming the boys set about turning the result round with a  display of pure passion, power and determination.

The boss rotated the pack at regular intervals to keep legs fresh on a heavy pitch. Brandon and G stood out and lead by example. Albion hacked away at them as the ref allowed some dubious challenges to go unpunished. Tommy Dey came off the bench with the promise that if he scored then he’d start the next game up front. He changed his style and chased defenders and forced errors at the back. His tenacity was rewarded when he latched onto a through ball from G with his back to goal. He turned and slid the ball through the oncomimg keepers legs, 2-2.

Oli M and Benno contributed to the cause and the whole squad showed why they will be up at the top end of the table come the end of the season. The game was now finely balanced and Albion tried desperately to get back into it. Luckily for the Town, Albion seemed more intent on the physical stuff than playing football at times. The Town stuck to what they do best and ignored the invite for a scrap in favour of rolling up their sleeves and getting what they so deserved out of the match.

Henry, the main recipient of the gaffers hairdryer at half time was a hero in the second half. He made several brave tackles and saves at the feet of the Albion strikers and bossed his area with an imperious display between the sticks.

The home team played a high line as they tried to get something out of the game which the scurrying Bundy and the impish Dey were exploiting with increasing regularity.

Dey showed his class when a ball was played through to him as the keeper charged out. As the Albion team screamed for offside Dey coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net. The ref spotted the left back playing Tommy onside and with ten minutes on the clock the whites were 3-2 up.

Brandon had to leave the fray when he slid into a challenge on the edge of his area only to receive a stud in the family jewels. He limped off but rather than go and receive treatment he watch his team hang on for a well earned win against the old enemy.

Hopefully this win will prove to be the launch pad for the successful season that this teams performances deserve. They have played as well as this if not even better to be honest but have too often come out losers. Let’s hope that this is the turning point!