U13 Panthers come unstuck in the mud - as Hawks claw their way to the double over them

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Ted and Charlie replaced George and Ed, as the Hawks attacked once more. Jamie again was called on to pull off a good save as the Hawks got a shot in. The Panthers needed to defend well with Harry and TC looking solid, and Neil covering the right wing well after some early scares. Max was finding the left a challenge with tricky right wing play, however Charlie’s presence firmed up the left and worked well as Max pushed forward. Ted brought a more solid feel to midfield which early on had been caught out getting too far forward, leaving a hole deeper in midfield. Despite looking stronger, the Panthers’ defences were breached with an excellent long range shot from a poor clearance, which flew over Jamie’s head and in, 0-1. Within minutes of the first, the Hawks notched a second with a cross shot from the left that cleared Jamie and was slotted home at the back post, 0-2. The Hawks weren’t finished and Jamie was called upon to pull off another save. Jamie cleared to Joe who passed to Braden. Braden once again held the ball up well and played Joe back in but Joe was unable to capitalise on the quick break. The Hawks countered, but Max showed dogged determination to win the ball back and stop the attack and deflect the ball behind. Jamie then had to be on his toes as he came out to cut off another Hawks attack. Joe, Max and Braden combined brilliantly up the left with Max’s cross being handballed but, not for the first time the ref gave nothing. Then to ensure the half time scoreline was no worse, Ted made a crucial last gasp clearance.

 

Half time came with the boys being told to make their challenges count and not jump into tackles, and to continue trying to play football. The rain came down once more, but the Panthers were straight at the task. Great work down the left by Max, Joe and Ted, with some excellent passing and moving saw Max get a shot in, but the goalkeeper pulled off a superb save to deny him. Then the same on the left after more good work by Adam and Kizzer, saw Kizzer get a shot off but that was just wide. Then piling on the pressure Ted, put the ball into the path of Neil, who finished in style to make it 2-1. The Panthers, for the first time in the game, were really on top. Braden then tried to get in on the act, after some brilliant build up play involving Ted, Kizzer, Adam, Joe and Braden, but his shot was blocked onto the woodwork and away. George and Ed replaced Adam and Braden. TC shifting into central midfield immediately broke up play and taking on a few Hawks, skipped round them and played in Kizzer who finished superbly making it 2-2. With the momentum in the Panthers’ favour Joe won the ball in the final third, skipped past three defenders but, instead of playing an easy ball to Kizzer who was free in a lot of space, blasted a difficult effort high over the bar. With the Panthers still applying all the pressure George ran onto a poor Hawks’ clearance but he shanked his shot wide.

 

The Hawks then punished the Panthers’ profligacy in front of goal, playing a defence splitting pass that was finished superbly from range, giving Jamie no chance. The Hawks then took the reins and piled on the pressure on the Panthers’ defence that was losing its shape again. When Max was caught sauntering back from being way out of position, (with a shout to remind him he was defender), the Hawks cut the Panthers’ defence apart, only to be saved by very good work covering back by Charlie. Neil, George, and Kizzer put together a superb move down the right wing, with Ed getting on the end of Kizzer’s cross, but shooting just wide. Then Jamie was called upon again to be out quickly to narrow the angle on a Hawks’ break. The resulting corner culminated in a bit of ping pong in the box, but TC cleared well. Then Charlie was also called on to clear the Panthers’ lines. Braden and Adam replaced Max and Kizzer and it was the Panthers’ turn to break, with George getting a great cross into the box from good work by Adam, but there were too few Panthers in there to capitalise. TC built on good work by Adam and Ted to drive a low volley at goal but unfortunately the goalkeeper saved well. Then to finish off the Panthers’ challenge once and for all, when a ball broke loose in the Panthers’ box, the Hawks’ striker from an offside position managed to squeeze the ball past Jamie, who almost blocked the effort from point blank range, and the ball trickled out of the muddy tangled mess of the two of them, into the Panthers’ net.

 

This was a close game settled on narrow margins, better tackling, not giving the ball away cheaply and better defensive shape at times, coupled with more clinical finishing which would have seen a different result. However the Hawks are a good, well managed team, with a lot of skill and strength, who over the two games have deserved their victories (but only just as these have been closely fought games). They are a credit to Gary and the Broadheath Club.

 

The Panthers performed well as a team with George doing well on his first game back in a white shirt, Joe, Ted, Braden, Kizzer all had very good games, with Ed putting in a very spirited performance with good defensive work as well as attacking. Max looked very good during the first 50 minutes of the game with some excellent passing and moving as well as covering defensively but lost his way late on. Harry and Charlie were both solid defensively and looked strong, while TC put in another excellent performance.

 

Today’s performance awards go to Neil (Bronze), who had an excellent game, both defensively and going forward, showing a willingness to get involved as often as possible and got a deserved goal for his work rate. Jamie (Silver) had a very good game in goal, pulling off important saves and looking confident in his less preferred role in the team. He distributed the ball intelligently, given the wind, opting for low powerful passes off the ground rather than weaker aerial balls from goal kicks and combining playing it short and belting it long when appropriate from his hands. However Adam (Gold) provided the Man of the Match performance, as he played with guile and skill in midfield, playing superb balls through for attackers to run onto and pressing and challenging tirelessly throughout. His passing was excellent. He just needs to ensure he curbs his tendency to jump into challenges in his pursuit of becoming a very good midfield player.

 

Chocolate Moments: Ted for that crucial clearance, TC for his excellent shot on goal that was saved by the keeper, and Charlie for his huge salmon-like leap into the air during a Hawks throw in to claim the ball.