08/09/2007 - 09/09/2007
Under 10s 'A'
Match report by David Wilde.
It all starts again, after a very impressive pre-season of 4 wins on the trot optimism is
high for a great season for the boys, and judging by this first game we've got some fantastic
football to watch.
The first goal of the season came with the first shot, as new boy Logan Jeffs Supplied a great
finish 1-0, next minute Max Hind picked up from last season and carried on scoring for fun
making it 2-0 with a cute chip over the keeper from close range. The third came when the ball
came to James Skiba who gave the keeper know chance. After that I cannot remember the order of
the goals, but Jeffs added another two, Hind added another 2, Shaw and Campbell grabbed 1
each. The score tells the story as we stomped to victory Harper Taylor and Melville very
comfortable at the back. Well done guys.
The friendly match was played as a 9 a-side game, Melville and Taylor tried going upfront,
Melville managed to grab a hat-trick, Taylor didn't manage to score but played well linking up
the attacks. Harper came out for the second-half and grabbed a goal. Other scorers were Shaw 1,
Campbell 1, Hind 3, Skiba 2, Jeffs 1. Final score 12-0.
Under 10s 'B'
Match report by Steven Taylor.
At first I though no one was coming and I asked the manager if we could kick-off late. Luckily
I work with their manager and he agreed. We did not have time to warm up properly so I was
worried we might get caught from the start. We had a quick team talk and a group hug and off
we went. We were coming off our first win against Whaley on Thursday and we were confident.
Dan Whit in nets with Liam left back, captain Harry in the centre and Ali in his favourite position
right-back. Dean and Dom in midfield and George started up front with Zac on the bench. We
controlled the game from the start. Dan Whit didn't have much to do in the first-half as the
defence were outstanding and worked together blocking the Hale strikers every time. Dean
looked good in midfield and worked hard to put George through, he and Dom passed the ball
around like pros. The first goal came from a keeper fumble. George put Dean through, who shot,
the keeper managed to get to it but dropped it and Dean pounced on it and managed to get his
toe on it and it was 1-0. George looked good and was put through time and time again by Dom
and Dean and was unlucky not to score. The second goal came from Dean's corner ball. The
keeper came for it and missed and it went in 2-0, and to be honest we put them under that much
pressure it should have been more.
Half-time came and a quick pep talk and group hug and we were ready to start with one change
up front with George coming off and Zac on. I told Zac I wanted 2 goals and he promised to do
his best. To be honest they were so determined to win they needed little encouragement.
Dom and Dean had a few shots on goal and managed to put Zac through a few times but it was
their passing that was most impressive. Hale got one back and this seemed to fire us up again.
Dean put Zac through on the right wing, Hale were closing him down, we all shouted shoot and
he did. It was outside the box and went in to the top left hand corner it was a great shot and
his first of the season. This was great to watch and a real team effort - I'm so proud of them.
Dean ran himself into the ground and looked good in mid and we all agreed he was Man of the
Match. Harry and Liam look like different players - there's a new determination about them and
they look great at the back. It was nice to see Ali back and he fitted in well at the back,
this was his first game with the 'B' team. Although Dan had little to do he looked confident
and asked to in the 'B' team to support his team mates. He had been playing well in the 'A'
team but chose to be in the 'B' team for this game. What was nice to see was the team work
they all supported each other and the passing was the best I've ever seen.
We changed the team around for the friendly. Liam went up front and scored 2, Harry and Ali
both got 1 in midfield. George, Dom and Dan Whit who made his debut out of goals went in to
defence and let nothing pass them, thanks to Zac for going in nets who had nothing to do. The
goals came from some great runs down the wings from Harry and Ali. Liam watched the game and
was in the box every time we had a run at them. George was up and down the wing and his
confidence is growing the goals are sure to come. We looked good because we played as a team
and the passing was great to see well done to every one. Final score 4-0.
I'm very proud of everyone, let's carry on the wining streak.
Under 11s
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
First ever 11-a-side match for the Under 11s. Both teams are finding their feet at this level
but high lane started really well and were unable to finish many of the chances that were
presented to them, with the defence and goalkeeper Joe Chorlton looking strong and unbeatable
the team eventually broke the deadlock with Nicos Toppin smashing home from 10-yards after the
Didsbury keeper failed to hold a cross, unfortunately within 2 minutes Didsbury equalized with
their first real attack, when some hesitation let in the winger, to run from the half-way line
and coolly finish. By the end of the game High Lane were disappointed with only a draw, but
with their great enthusiasm, hopefully they will be able to build on this solid performance.
Under 12s
Match report by David Hanson.
Blimey! 4-0 down with the whistle still wet from the ref's opening blow. Might've helped if
he'd used it again in the first-half but that's another story and we can't risk censure at
such an early stage can we? We can?? Ok, right then! Just kidding.
At half-time we were looking at a very long season! Ben Wood had bravely stuck his head in
front of the keepers' flying fist to plant the ball on the crossbar after it had come back off
the woodwork already and it looked as though we could play 'til Christmas and not get a goal.
At least one would have seen some justice done because we hadn't played that badly. Two
offside breakaways (and I don't mean biscuits) and a dodgy pen and we'd seen the art of shove
ha'penny transposed to the beautiful game but truthfully we only had ourselves to blame - if
we don't compete and get tougher we will lose more games like this.
At 4-0 you could have expected heads to be down but after coach Ben's half-time cosy chat we
were transformed. Transformed mainly by the whacking great game played by David Potter in the
second-half. When other players saw that he could throw himself into challenges with kids
twice his size and not only not get hurt but win every tackle, they obviously figured they
could too. We laid siege to the Richmond goal with Josh Smith Webb leading the charge. His
classy performance lead to a gloriously taken goal after a sublime chipped free kick from Ben
Wood. Another mazy run from Josh deep into their area ended with a 'goal on a plate' for Matty
Lyons. It was stirring stuff and Man of the Match beckoned for Josh although David came close
with just the 30 minutes. Whereas in the first-half Mattie Hanson threw himself at every ball
dropping from the sky, all too often it came straight back over the static heads of the
defence for their forwards to run onto unhindered by niceties such as flags, whistles or
chasing down. When it was legit Mattie snuffed out the attacks with pace and timing. Matt
Rogers also earned a mention from Coach Ben for uncomplainingly shining in a variety of roles
a right little mister 100%! Jack Downing showed some neat little touches when he came onto the
right wing and all the players had a go as we pressed for more goals, which sadly didn't come.
If only we could've convinced the ref that the first-half had all been a bad dream (like when
Pammy found Bobby in the shower - Dallas circa 1984, not the estimable Mrs Rogers I hasten to
add) and that it hadn't really happened at all. Probably just as much chance as trying to
convince him that Dicky's got a decent first touch, or any first touch come to that. Or that
come the new year City won't be on the run from the Thai government and the bankruptcy wallahs
despite doing all their shopping in the bargain bin at T K Maxx? Still there was enough in the
second-half to encourage us that we can handle ourselves and play decent football to boot just
that's it often better not to give the other lot a four-goal start.