U10 Panthers get just rewards - Panthers tame the Tigers and are back in the promotion race

26 November 2011

After a disappointing trip to Timperley where the Panthers lost out by the odd goal in 5 and subsequently slipped to 6th in the league they entertained league high flyers Wthenshawe Tigers at the weekend. Only 2 weeks previous they had had a battling cup encounter against the Tigers drawing 2 each after being two goals ahead with 5 minutes to go.

They knew therefore that this would be another desperately tough encounter and they would have to be at their best if they wanted to stay in the race for promotion.

The Panthers lined up with Max in goal, ahead of him were Ollie and Sam in defence, a midfield 3 with Jack and Ben wide and Martin central and Marcus alone in attack. Sheltering in the bitter wind awaiting their turn were Gabriel,Dillan,Hayden and Davy.

1st Period

The match started with both teams fighting to gain control, Ollie was quickly involved tackling firmly and clearing a dangerous through ball for a corner. Max was also tested early as the Tigers surged forward but his handling and distribution were superb. At the other end Marcus had a shot that just went wide.

Martin took a number of throws in the opposition third that the opposition struggled to defend, one such throw found Jack in space at the far post but unfortunately his shot just cleared the crossbar. Ben and sam were combining well down the right but the Tigers were defending soundly and the whistle blew with the first period ending goal less.

2nd Period

The 4 subs appeared for the second period Davy moved to central midfield with martin dropping back to partner Ollie , Dillan and Hayden formed the attack. Gabriel was quickly called into action and made a great stop from close range to palm away a fierce shot, at the other end Hayden set Marcus free but his shot was also well saved. Dillan was next to go close with the keeper again turning round his effort. Dillan came close on two other occasions as the action movewd from end to end. Both defences were performing well and as a result the second period also ended scoreless.

3rd Period

Jack and Sam returned for the final period as both teams went about looking for the winning goal. The Panthers pressure grew and midway through the period they forced a corner from the right, Hayden picked this up and beat a defender in the box before laying it off to Sam to fire home from 5 yards for his much deserved first goal of the season. , It was no more than the Panthers deserved as they were dominating possession and although playing right back Martin spent most of his time in the opposition half peppering the opposition area with his long throws, also whenever Max gained posession his long throw outs were also causing the Tigers defence problems.

The Tigers went on all out attack in the final minutes trying to level the scores Max made a couple of great stops and both Davy and Martin got their bodies in the way to block goalbound shots. In the final seconds the Tigers won a corner of the right but Max plucked it superbly out of the air and cleared to safety as the final whistle blew. The panthers celebrated a famous victory against very strong opposition.

Summary

A real battling display from the Panthers , the 3 points gained moves them up to 5th in the division with a game in hand over the teams above them. The boys performed well as a team today mixing their normal calm passing game with occasional more direct play and they deservedly got their just rewards after a couple of disappointing results. Dillan was awarded the bronze MOM award for a typical gutsy battling forward display, Silver award went to Max who once again handled and distributed the ball superbly. Gold award went to Martin for another powerful showing in both midfield and defence and a great display of short and long passing.

Source: bill kennedy

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