Wilmslow Win at windy Willows - U9's extend winning run

5 October 2008

As both sides limbered up before kick off, there were keen glances from both camps sizing up the opposition. Everyone knew this was going to be a keenly fought battle between two of the early-season big guns and the opening exchanges were going to be key in deciding the balance of power in Division 5.

From the moment Unicorn kicked off, the opening period was cagey with both sides attempting to get the measure of each other. Unicorn were first to exert a little pressure with a couple of probing balls into the Albion penalty area. This quickly paid dividends as Dan Nield, stretching to clear with his head, inadvertently handled inside the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Standing tall between the sticks, Nathan Sach won the mind games as the Unicorn penalty taker stepped up and blazed his kick wide of the left post.

GOAL! As is so often the case, a golden opportunity squandered proved to be the turning point on which the whole match swung. Barely two minutes passed before a quick Albion break down the right resulted in a corner from which Sam Higginson drove a low, left-footed in-swinger that took the slightest of deflections on its way past the Unicorn keeper into the net.

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 1

Midway through the first period Harrison Cole came off the bench to replace a winded Rohan Batra, slotting straight into the right midfield birth. Making an immediate contribution with some combative tackling, Harrison then combined well with the flying Finn McEwan-Patterson and predatory Sol Moore, the latter unlucky to see his instinctive shot come back off the inside of a post before being scrambled away for a corner.

The goal had really galvanised Albion by this stage as more good work down the right flank produced another corner which Unicorns were again happy just to clear. But it was only a matter of time before Albion's increasing pressure would breach their opponents defence again.

GOAL! Winning yet another corner, this time down the left, Sam and Dan executed a clearly well-drilled training pitch set piece. Intelligently, Sam chose to work it short to Dan who from the left corner of the penalty area curled a perfectly measured cross shot over everyone into the far corner of the net.

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 2

15 mins: Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 2

Kicking off the second period Albion were quick to get back into their stride and more good passing movement down the left channel saw Sam link powerfully with Sol who controlled well before firing in another low shot that the Unicorn keeper did well to turn around at his near post.

Another dangerous corner from Dan caused more havoc in the Unicorn box but again, stout defending prevented another goal.

The home side began to get more of a foothold in the game creating some good situations themselves but they were prevented from really threatening the Albion goal by resolute defending in midfield and at the back.

Soaking up the pressure, Albion were content to protect their 2 goal lead and hit the opposition on the break. Josh Wheeler was yet again immense at the back - indeed all over the pitch - intelligently getting forward when the opportunity presented itself. Typically winning a 50-50 race to the ball, he produced another dynamic surge down the right, beating two more players before unluckily over running the ball at the crucial moment.

What is extremely impressive about this Albion side is not only their incisive attacking ability but also their willingness to work for each other when defending. This work ethic was best illustrated by two moments of sublime defending during an evenly poised second period which could have seen the game swing back the way of the home side.

The first example came when a strong Unicorn break down the left was tracked by Dan and Harrison. Both got tackles in pushing the attack out wide but even when the Unicorn player did well to ride Dan's strong challenge to move in on goal, Harrison was covering to make a perfectly-timed sliding tackle inside his own area to clear the ball for a corner.

Moments later, Josh Wheeler made an even more remarkable last ditch sliding tackle having chased 20 yards for a seemingly lost cause when the home side had clear sight of goal after a long ball through the middle.

Although there were very few clear cut chances for either side in the second period, it should also be mentioned that Nathan was ever alert in goal to sweep up when he was called into action. His awareness as the last line of defence and strong kicking from goal is another huge asset to this side who have now kept 3 clean sheets out of 4, conceding only once against an impressive haul of 32 in the 'Goals For' column.

Returning to the fray to replace Sam who had taken a knock, Finn reminded the opposition defence of his skill and pace just when they perhaps thought they could throw more caution to the wind. Indeed throughout, Finn, Sam and Rohan yet again all turned in performances of skill and strong running from midfield that opposition defences are struggling to contain each week.

Midway through the period, Rohan showed a clean pair of heels after skillfully beating his man down the left flank only to be cynically pulled back by the Unicorn right back. In lenient mood, the referee chose not to show the culprit a deserved yellow card.

As the second period drew to a close, Albion were again in the ascendancy. Sol showed real maturity all game leading the line and held the ball up well deep in the opposition's half as the clock ran down.

GOAL! Late pressure in stoppage time finally saw Albion strike the killer blow. Picking up another loose clearance from Unicorn's weary defence, Dan launched another attack from the centre of the park with a ball over the top in to the danger zone. Sol instinctively latched on to it, once again hitting the target and drawing another smart save from the keeper. Unfortunately for Unicorn this time, he could only parry it as far as the onrushing Finn who sharply followed up to stab in number three.

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 3

30 mins: Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 3

Albion won the toss to kick off the final period. Immediately, great persistance from Finn won a corner as Albion could now taste victory and were intent on finishing off the job more emphatically. From the resulting corner, Dan sent over another searching cross that just cleared everyone.

Showing real character, Unicorn refused to lie down and still threatened on the break. Working the ball well from left to right, it fell to the tall No.4 who fired in a low shot from close range only missing the far post by inches.

That was probably the closest Unicorn came to scoring in the whole game and it served as warning to Albion who were keen to protect their impressive defensive record with another clean sheet.

Picking up the pace again, Josh W collected the ball in the right midfield position and sent over a near perfect ball for Sol who was upended by the brave Unicorn keeper diving well at his feet to smother the ball.

GOAL! The danger was not cleared for long though as the ball fell again to the irrepressible Josh W. From the centre circle, just inside his own half, he launched a spectacular long range effort that caught the hapless keeper off his line and the ball sailed over his head into the empty net. Forget David Beckham, this was more Xabi Alonso!

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 4

Albion were now running riot. Following his man-of-the-match display the previous week and coming on as a late sub for the final period, Josh Mehta showed no mercy and plenty of desire. Dan continued to pull the strings and was at the heart of everything, peppering the opposition goal with two more good strikes from outside the box.

GOAL! Turning provider again, Dan sent the baby-faced assasin Sol clear through the middle. Showing ice cool composure, he duly slotted home the fifth under the keeper. Total football!

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 5

GOAL! Still rampant, Albion pressed for a sixth. It came. Again Josh W broke down the right and cutting in dispatched a powerful shot that the keeper could only parry in to the air. Showing all the courage that he brings from the rugby field, Finn again followed up sharply and put his head in where it hurts to try and force the ball over the line. Deserving of a goal it only turned out to be an assist as Sol still had to stab it home as Unicorns defended desperately on the goal line.

Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 6

Slightly hurt in the melee, Finn came off to be replaced by Harrison who went up front in search of his elusive first goal. Rohan also came back on to replace the tiring Sam who had run his socks off all match.

No more goals but still plenty of determination and concentration right up to the final whistle at both ends of the pitch. Rohan danced down the left once more and fired in a firm shot while at the other end Nathan was alert to snuff out one last Unicorn attack and keep another well deserved clean sheet.

45 mins: Unicorn Athletic 0 - Albion 6

Man-of-the-match: Josh Wheeler

Source: S Cole

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