U9's B make it 5 out of 5 - another clean sheet

13 October 2008

Once again Albion battled away admirably, keeping a clean sheet against a credible Irlam Rangers who have only lost 1 game so far this season. The boys worked well together, keeping their shape and putting into practice what the coaches have been trying to drum into them on training nights……when they can be bothered to listen!

First 15 min period
Within minutes of the first period starting, Finn claimed his 1st of a hat trick today, from a beautiful cross in by Daniel.

Albion 1-0 Irlam Rangers

From the restart Albion were up and at them, Josh M, strong in midfield, creating chances, applying the pressure, put a ball through to Sam who made a break down the left wing and fired off a powerful shot on goal to be pushed out for a corner by the Irlam keeper. A good corner in by Sam but neither Rohan nor Josh M could get a good touch on it. A series of corners and mighty throw- in’s by Daniel followed.
Another terrific strike by Sam was again saved by the handy opposition keeper, forcing a corner followed by 2 more in succession.
Daniel and Sam’s strong corner taking were put to the test as Albion were awarded a record number today.
Play stayed mainly in the opposition half but Irlam showed their threat was on the counter attack, which they had several chances to unleash. Nathan had to perform a quality save when the opposition managed to break through the Albion defence. But this was a rarity as Harrison and Daniel teamed up to provide a solid back row for this period.
Following a good run by Finn, a wrong footed Rohan just couldn’t unleash the lethal left foot to make it 2, the Irlam keeper cleared the ball way over Albion’s defence forcing Nathan to come off his line and sprint out to the ball. An opposition attacker chased down the ball and managed to get a toe to it….was this the equaliser???  Not today! Daniel relentlessly charged back and performed an amazing clearance off the line.
Daniel had another chance to get Albion’s much needed second goal when Finn was brought down on the edge of the area. But again the Irlam keeper did well to deflect away. Sam giving 100% as ever took a nasty knock just before the whistle for the 1st period, did well to get up and carry on.

2nd  15min PERIOD
Albion had a good start from the kick off, Rohan and Sam linked well with some good passing, the boys realising the ball can do the work for you. Irlam were looking frantic in defence as wave after wave of attacks by a goal hungry Albion came at them. But that second goal just wouldn’t come.
Eventually, Daniel took advantage of a retake for a throw in and launched the ball right on to the head of Finn in the box who salmon like back headed past the Irlam keeper.
Albion 2-0 Irlam Rangers

Keeping the pace Albion continued to look unstoppable going forward. Sam again battled well down the left putting the ball through to Rohan who had a good strike deflected out for a corner. Daniel produced a dangerous corner whizzing passed the goalmouth, followed by another but again Albion failed to get a head on it. Josh W, who had come on for Harrison , had a chance to make it 3 -0 when the ball came out to the half way line, he kept his cool , put his foot on the ball looked up and took a cracking shot which unfortunately just went wide.
The third eventually came from a long goal kick out from Nathan followed by a scorching shot by Sam which the opposition keeper did well to deflect down only to be picked off by a nimble Finn to claim his hat trick.

Albion had the taste for the goals now. The fourth came quickly from a deep corner taken by Daniel to the back post to Rohan, who did well to lose his marker and body pop the ball past the keeper using his chest, knee and shin.

Albion 4-0 Irlam Rangers

Albion never looked threatened at the back with Josh W doing the usual mopping up at the back if ever Irlam were allowed to break into the Albion half. Irlam did have a golden opportunity to put 1 on the card just before the end of the 2nd period when a series of back passes gave Irlam the ground to threaten the Albion goal .The referee awarded a penalty for a perfectly reasonable “crunching” tackle by Daniel in the Albion area. But Nathan confidently saved the power shot to maintain his clean sheet.

3rd 15mins period.
With Nathan itching to come out of goal and have a piece of the action Rohan put on the keepers gloves and took over the task of keeping a clean sheet .
With the coaches making several changes to the formation Harrison/Nathan pushing forward and Josh W teaming up with Josh M in midfield Albion were not going to sit back and defend the lead. Harrison desperate to score his first Goal for his club bravely battled forward looking strong and determined, even taking a ball in the face without even a whimper creating a chance for Finn to have another shot only to be saved by the outstanding Irlam keeper. The 2 Josh’s in midfield worked well together, putting in some great tackles not letting anything past them which was a good thing as the Albion defence were all forwards at times, all eager to get on the score card.
Josh W beating several players down the right crossed the ball square to Josh M who in turn sidestepped and dribbled through the middle passing on to Nathan to score his weekly goal once let loose from his goalkeeping duties.

Albion 5-0 Irlam Rangers

As soon as the match restarted Nathan like a livewire was covering every inch of the pitch causing all sorts of problems for the battered Irlam Rangers. Shots upon shots hailed down upon the opposition keeper who did well to keep it to 5 so far.
Following a respectable effort by Harrison from a well taken corner by Daniel that elusive goal eventually came. Harrison made all the hard work pay off and found the back of the net to make it 6-0.

Albion 6-0 Irlam Rangers

In the final minutes of the 3rd period, Josh W and Josh M produced some creative passes delivering a succession of important tackles and attempts on goal. Both unlucky not to score this week. Harrison showing his keenness to score again almost picked up another from a rebound following a good run and shot by Nathan in the dying seconds of the match.

All in all it was a very exciting and enjoyable match to watch, end to end at times when Irlam counter attacked.

Man of the match went to a well deserved Sam Higginson.

Team

N Sach, D Neild, J Wheeler, R Batra, H Cole, J Mehta, S Higginson, F McEwan-Paterson,

Unavailable to Play
S Moore, J Ezair

Source: D Mehta

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