U10 Panthers so close to beating league leaders - Panthers just fail to hold on for famous victory

12 November 2011

After completing a hat trick of wins in the league the Panthers were in confident mood as they lined up at home against Wythenshawe Tigers in the first game of the new Europa league cup format. The Tigers were above the Panthers in the league and they looked a far bigger and stronger outfit but the Panthers had managed to overcome them in a tight match the previous season.

The Panthers lined up with the same formation that had blown away Benchill the previous week, Gabriel was in goal and in front of him a defensive pairing of Sam and Ben, 3 in midfiled with Jack and Davy wide and Martin in the centre, and Marcus alone up front, eagerly waiting to join in were Dillan Hayden, Max and the returning Ollie.

1st period

Looking to start quickly the Panthers tried to get the passing going, the boggy conditions underfoot did not help though, and the Tigers were quick into and strong in the tackle. It was soon clear that the two sides had different plans with the Panthers looking to use the flanks and pass and the Tigers trying to get the ball forward quickly to their lively forwards and follow up in support. The two teams seemed to cancel each other out in the early stages, and Ben needed to get in a vital block to avert danger.

Davy and Martin were linking well and Davy had a shot that went into the side netting. Marcus was causing the tigers defence concern and had a run and shot that just went wide, At the Back Gabriel was handling well and Sam and Ben were coping with difficult opponents Sam breaking forward linked well with Marcus and another shot went just wide.

Overall the Panthers were slightly on top but could not force the opening goal.

2nd Period

The 4 substitutes appeared and Dillan and Hayden quickly put pressure on the Tigers defence with hayden just firing wide. Ollie was at his best and broke up the Tigers attacks with several firm tackles, The Panthers pressure eventually told when after a strong run through the centre by Marcus and lay off Dillan finished well to open the scoring for the Panthers. Jack was trying to make headway down the left and crossed for Hayden who shot narrowly wide again as the Panthers again finished the period the stronger. Jack was on the receiving end of some strong challenges and had to come off with a knock just as the period ended.

3rd Period

Martin returned at the back to renew his defensive partnership with Ollie and a long ball from Martin set Dillan free but his attempt on goal was cleared for a corner.

Max in goal was handling well and is untroubled by the recent rule change preventing keepers from kicking from hand, he is able to throw the ball well over the half way line and from one such throw Dillan was put in on goal and finished well to double the Panthers advantage. This may be a tactic that the Panthers can make more of in the future as it certaiinly caught the tigers by surprise.

At 2-0 the Panthers were looking in control and were unlucky not to go further ahead when Hayden hit the post, Dillan and Sam also combined well and sam's effort on goal was well saved.

The game seemed to swing then in the tigers favour , Martin trying to clear handled in his own area and a penalty was signalled. Max got down well pushing the ball onto a post but the attacker following up stabbed the ball home to make it 2-1.

The Tigers then went on all out attack looking for the equalizer and the Panthers were forced to defend desperately with both Max and the Gabriel making good stops. The tackles were still flying in and Ben was the next Panther forced to depart the action with a nasty looking hand injury. From the resulting free kick Martin just fired wide.

It looked as though the Panthers were going to hold on but in the last minute a break on the right resulted with an opening on goal and a shot beyond Gabriel's despairing dive made the final score 2-2 , the Tigers celebrated as though they had won the game which was testament to how well the Panthers had battled.

Summary

A real cup tie with no quarter given by either team , although it felt like a loss the Panthers should be proud of how well they did today holding a very strong and direct Wythenshawe team. some good individual performences as well today, Max in goal handled well and distributed superbly, Ollie at the back showed it was not only the Tigers that could make strong tackles, Man of the Match though went to goal scorer Dillan who took both of his goals well and tormented the Tigers defence. The Panthers will have the opportunity to go one better when they meet the Tigers in two weeks time in the league.

Source: bill kennedy

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