U13 Panthers shot down by the Rangers - wounded and out of sorts

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The game remained quite even, end to end stuff, with George doing a great job of keeping one of the key Rangers quiet and using his long throw to good effect. Charlie had to work hard at left back and cleared his lines well, but the Panthers once again looked vulnerable to the ball in behind to their quick and very tricky strikers. Kizzer and Braden replaced Jamie and Joe. The Panthers piled on the pressure and were justly rewarded after the Rangers were penalised for pushing in the box. After discussion Neil stepped up to take it, put it straight down the middle and the excellent diminutive keeper saved it with his legs. Adam tried to bury the rebound with a first time shot but sadly skied it over the bar. This was to be the first of many great saves from the Rangers' goalie, as the Panthers' shots seemed to find him like a ball bearing finds a magnet! Then, as if to rub the penalty miss in, the Rangers punished the Panthers for giving the ball away again and buried their second in the corner of Panthers' goal: 0-2. Despite having to pick the ball out of the net twice, Ed had pulled off important stops and saves and distributed the ball well. Both goals were definitely conceded by the team rather than individuals!! The Panthers tried to get back into the game, with a good move from Adam, finding TB cutting in from the right, only to shoot straight at the keeper, who caught it easily.

 

At half time the boys were told they could get back into the game by getting to the ball first more often and making their passes count by relaxing more on the ball and panicking less.

 

Jamie and Joe replaced Neil and Charlie while TC moved to centre back and Harry into midfield. Ostensibly these changes didn’t work very well as the Rangers quickly took control of midfield and started playing ball in behind the back four. The Rangers looked like they were about to score, having rounded and left Ed stranded, but TC came to the rescue to clear with a customary well timed challenge, before the striker could get a shot away. The Panthers responded with a good move as Jamie played the ball to Kizzer, but once again it was saved well by the keeper at full stretch. Jamie put the ball in the following two corners into the danger zone between the 6 yard box and the penalty spot, but the Panthers were unable to capitalise by getting on the end of them. Then to punish the Panthers lack of offensive conviction, the Rangers countered, and when Ed was unable to hold onto a shot, the Rangers pounced to put away the rebound: 0-3. Charlie and Neil replaced Adam and TB. Immediately Charlie started to have an impact. Kizzer did some skilful work down the left wing as he lost the right back and got the ball to Charlie whose powerful shot once gain found the keeper in the right place. Then with the Panthers best move of the game, Braden found Jamie who laid it off to Harry, who then slotted it through to Neil who shot, but the ball rebounded off a Ranger into Charlie’s path, who buried it with style and power: 1-3. Unfortunately Ted - who had been solid throughout the game in defence, bar the odd wayward pass - passed the ball across the box, only to find a Rangers striker there to poach another: 1-4.

 

TB and Adam replaced Joe and Harry as George moved over to create more cover at left back. George was soon at work stifling his opposite number, who he had kept so quiet during the first half on the opposite flank. So effective in fact was George, he found himself on the floor after a particularly strong challenge, which necessitated the referee taking the offending Rangers player to one side for a stern word. Despite this, his determination to win the ball back at every opportunity and use his defensive position to attack paid dividends. The Panthers pressed and Adam came close to scoring only to be thwarted once again by the Rangers’ keeper. A drop ball after a Ranger got injured enabled George to resume his tussle with his sparring partner. The Ranger kicked the ball before it bounced, but George pointed out this was against the rules of a drop ball to the ref, who awarded possession to the Panthers. Joe replaced Kizzer and Harry replaced Braden late on.  George put the ball through to Joe who weaved in and out of the Rangers defence only to be pushed in the box. Jamie stepped up to take the kick only to scuff the ball wide. Two penalties missed in one game - just summed up the game for the Panthers – clearly the football Gods were against them! However the Panthers kept trying with Charlie wreaking havoc going forward, but sadly unable to get any further reward. Ed had to pull off another great save to a low shot late on. While Harry went close late on with a great diving header from Joe’s cross but it went just wide.

 

The Panthers certainly weren’t outclassed by the Rangers, and never have been on any of the three occasions they have played them. Yet, in each game they have been unable to capitalise on the opportunities to score they created. I think this is partly because the Panthers are yet to settle into a system of play that suits the team fully, as players are rotated and given the opportunity to experiment with playing in different positions, at the same time as ensuring all the players get plenty of pitch time each game. Secondly I think this is due to the boys not feeling as confident playing against the stronger second division opposition we have faced since promotion. The boys need to remember how skilful and capable they are themselves, relax and have more fun playing. Notable performances today: Adam played well today showing some great skill and moves as well as passing quickly and accurately when needed rather than holding onto the ball too long – great stuff, keep it up! Jamie, despite his penalty miss, played well during the second half, being at the heart of many of the creative moves the Panthers made through the centre of the pitch, passing the ball and laying it off for others intelligently. TC had a very strong second half at centre back and did a great job winning the ball in midfield during the first half. TB and Kizzer both had very strong games showing skill and tenacity. Ed did very well in difficult circumstances in goal, pulling off important saves.

 

But the awards this week go to Charlie who relished the opportunity to play up front and created a lot of danger as he attacked the Rangers with power and pace and scored a very good goal (Bronze). George continued where he left off last week with aggressive and dominant performances at both right and left back (Silver). However Ted, who defended resolutely throughout the game, as he has done continually over recent weeks, was awarded Man of the Match (Gold).

 

Chocolate Moments: Harry for his superb diving header, Kizzer for his skills on the wing as he tormented the Rangers with fast feet, Ed for some great saves in goal, TC for one of his trademark last ditch clearances, Charlie for his well taken goal