Sunday 'blues' for U13 Panthers - as they go down in a nail biter to Fletcher Moss

Click image above for larger pictures / slideshow
17 images available

 

The Panthers started brightly but so did the Blues, as Max and their keeper were called on to make early saves, Max pulling off a very good save with the first Blues move of the game. Within 5 minutes of kick off the Panthers thought they were in front, when Ed took the ball past the Rangers defence and crossed superbly for Jamie, who chested it down and finished in style. But the goal was ruled out as the person running the line had flagged that the ball had gone out. Undeterred the Panthers piled the pressure on and when Adam picked up the ball after some great passing from the Panthers, he played in Jamie who once again hit the back of the net, having battled his way past a Blues centre back – 1-0. After the restart the Panthers had another chance of a goal, with Joe breaking through the Blues back line and testing the keeper, but he saved it well. The Blues soon struck back, (perhaps as revenge for Charlie clearing from point blank range straight into the big number 5’s crown jewels). A superb long range strike flew over Max’s head and into the back of the net to make the score level at 1-1. Kizzer replaced Braden and Jamie shifted into midfield. Ed was doing well on the left wing while Joe was turning the Blues defence, but the Blues keeper did well to keep denying him. Jamie was upended in midfield and took the resulting free kick but unfortunately, with the wind against him, it was just outside his range and was caught easily by the keeper. Ted stole the ball in midfield and enabled Joe to get another attempt on goal, but he was foiled once again. Braden replaced Ed. Fletcher Moss had a few more attempts on goal, showing their danger with quick movement and running at pace. TC cut off many attempts, while Harry cleared up well and Neil and Charlie kept the wingers at bay. When Max was tested he was more than a match for anything that came his way. And that’s how the half ended, 1-1.

 

The team were encouraged to get to the ball first more and compete more passionately for the ball. As they kicked off for the second half, Adam was now in goal, Max moved to left back and Charlie moved into the centre with TC moving to right back with Neil pushing on into midfield, and Ed replacing Jamie. The Panthers set themselves to go and get the three points; however the Rangers had other ideas. After losing the ball through ‘wishy-washy’ challenging in midfield following a series of poor clearances and a general unwillingness to clear the ball by putting a foot through it, the Panthers then made the cardinal sin. Thinking the ball had gone out for a goal kick the Panthers waved their arms about and allowed the Blues to get a cross in and put away their second, 2-1. Playing to the whistle would have prevented this, as would more effective decision making while defending!

 

Neil and Braden linked up well to put a through ball to Joe, but the Blues keeper was out like a shot to smother it. Neil put in a great cross for Joe, but his header went just wide. Then the Rangers won a free kick deep in their half, the ball went loose in midfield, Ed could have won the ball easily but sadly he decided - not for the first time - to pull out of the challenge and let the Rangers through. Although the striker who rolled the ball past Adam for a 3-1 lead, was in an offside position, the Panthers defence were caught out for the second time with the ball in behind. Challenging courageously and remembering to cover runners getting in behind the Panthers defence can help considerably to close the door to opponents. Jamie came on for Joe who soon in turn replaced Ed to provide more ‘bite’ in the Panthers midfield. No sooner was he on did Joe make his presence felt, providing that extra tenacity that had been missing. He chased down his opposite numbers and won the ball back regularly when the Panthers gave it away. Ted and Neil were doing similar, and suddenly the Panthers looked like they could get make a proper fight of it. Jamie took a long range effort which just cleared the cross bar. Then Joe put Kieran in, however instead of pulling the ball back towards the penalty spot, tried to shoot from the by-line. Needless to say the effort just went harmlessly into the side-netting. Adam pulled off a good save at the other end but when a wonder strike from 25 yards flew over his head - he had no chance - as the Blues went 4-1 up.

 

I am proud to say the Panthers didn’t just roll over, but continued to try to get back into the game. Winning a corner, Neil crossed it in only for Max to see his excellent header go just wide, (which could only be explained by it slipping off the wax on his new hairstyle…). Then when Joe was felled, Neil took the free kick on the left from 25 yards out. He struck it superbly as it sailed into the helpless Blues keepers net, 4-2. Soon Adam was called on again to be out quickly as he prevented another chance for the Blues, while Neil put Braden in at the other end, but the ball bobbled and his shot went agonisingly wide. Kizzer was soon to be felled in the ‘D’ on the edge of the Blues box. Jamie struck the resulting free kick well, as it cleared the wall, but was just not far enough out to drop beneath the bar. Then Jamie put Ed in on the right who cut inside and curled it superbly, but unluckily, it was saved by the keeper. Ed then played a superb ball into Joe, but Joe couldn’t get it on target. However when Harry managed to get to the by-line, he did manage to pull the ball back towards the penalty spot, and following in, Ed buried the ball side footed in the corner of the net – an excellent finish. 4-3. With two minutes to go anything could happen. The Panthers pressed for the equaliser, but the Blues stood strong and caused Adam to be out quickly once again. Then with the Panthers having lost the ball in midfield, the Blues scored the goal of the game. With a sublime bit of skill the Blues number 6 turned TC inside out, and then did the same to Ted. Adam came out to narrow the angle, but he finished like a professional, 5-3. It was a superb way to win an excellent game, made all the more impressive by the way he beat TC, a feat not usually accomplished by any other opponent!

 

The Panthers played significantly better in this game than in their previous encounter with the Blues and matched them for large parts of the game. However pulling out of challenges and tentative defending at times were the difference in a very tight hard fought game. Max and Adam performed very well in goal, both looking confident and distributing the ball well. TC was superb once again in defence as he closed down the opposition and cut off the route to goal regularly (Bronze). Jamie played well despite his ongoing knee problem and took both of his goals well, as well as playing intelligent balls around midfield, creating opportunities for others. It was just a shame one of his goals was dubiously disallowed (Silver). However Joe put in a real team performance and, although he didn’t get on the score-sheet for a change, he provided the momentum in midfield to get the Panthers back into the game (Gold). For his work rate, desire to win every ball and skilful and intelligent play when he did win it, he was deservedly awarded Man of the Match.

 

Chocolate moments: Neil for his superb free kick, Jamie for getting the second goal so soon after his first was disallowed, Joe for keeping on going despite being disappointed when thwarted by the Blues defence, Ed for his great curling shot on goal that was saved by the keeper and finally Charlie for his clearance, which inadvertently hit the number 5 where it really hurts!