06/10/2007 - 07/10/2007
Under 10s 'A'
Match report by David Wilde.
With High Lane yet to lose this was going to be the toughest test so far this season, and it proved to be the first loss of the season. It was a tough first-half for High Lane, as we slipped to a first-half defeat of 3-0, two free-kicks and a long shot, nothing we could really have done about the two free-kicks. But the score in the first-half didn't tell the full story, Marple are a great team, with some great players, but we matched them and created a few chances, we were disappointed to come off 3-0 down.
We got the lads in for a chat, changed a few tactical things and back out we went. Well what a difference, we completely controlled the second-half, creating chances for Shaw, Hind, Southern and Jeffs. The score was 1-3 when Jeffs won the ball in midfield beat two men and hit a left foot volley, another great strike. It was 2-3 a minute later when a well worked corner drilled into the near post found Southern who had made his run to bury the ball into the back of the net. Marple were panicking now, making defensive switches as High Lane continued to press, we had a few chances to grab a draw but wasn't to be as the ref blew for full time. The lads came off the pitch, and were proud of their second-half displays and so they should have been. Special praise for Melville who didn't miss one tackle today the left back is having a great season and long may it continue. Man of the Match was Jacob Southern who was everywhere today, and scored a well worked set piece.
The friendly was won 3-1, the scorers were Jeffs 2 and Hind 1.
Under 10s 'B'
Match report by Steven Taylor.
The weather was perfect and the pitch was ideal for playing on and we were keen to bounce back after last Saturdays defeat. Harry was back in the squad but was nursing a foot injury and looked doubtful for the start after a quick chat we decided to rest him and use him as sub if needed. Ali came in to join us from the 'A' team. We decided to give Jack his first start in the centre of defence after an impressive performance last week Liam took left back Ali right and Dan Whit in nets. Dom Dean and George were in mid we decided to try three in midfield because any one of them can score and we wanted them to work as a striking unit together with George on the right Dom midfield and top scorer Dean on the left. This left Gus, Max, Zac and new signing Oliver who had impressed in training on the bench. Marple have a good reputation and we knew this would be a hard game.
From kick-off we were on the attack. George and Dean had a few good runs down the wings and tested their defence. Dom moving down the middle linked up well with Dean and George their passing was first rate and Dom's tackling was excellent, he dominated mid stopping any run on us. When they did break through Jack was their every time clearing time and time again. He has come on so much he looked really comfortable at the back. Liam looked in control on the left and considering he is not left footed he has a hard role, he cleared and stopped every attack on the left, Ali as ever was everywhere and linked up well with Jack and Liam. Dan Whit had a great game he made some great saves but what was good to see was he looked confident and didn't hesitate once. It was 0-0 at half time.
Harry was keen to go on but we decided not to change yet. The game was quite even until George managed to break down the right, Dom and Dean moved in to the box to support and George battled on and slotted it past their keeper 1-0. It was still very tight especially in midfield, Dom was battling all over the pitch, going in hard for every tackle, he played his heart out. We needed another goal to calm things down and it was Dean's turn. Dom slotted the ball to Dean on the right wing he left his markers standing with his speed and agility and launched it from outside the box, their keeper had no chance 2-0 we were looking good. We decided to make a couple of changes, Harry was keen to go on and replaced Jack, Dean swapped with Max and Zac came on for George. It finished 2-1 again it was a good team performance. Everyone is focused and full of confidence. Man of the Match was hard again they were all outstanding but Jack stood out because he has come on in such a short time.
The friendly had to be cut short because of a pitch clash Zac started up front, Gus Liam and Max went in midfield with George, Ali and new signing Oliver started at the back. We lost this 3-0 but Zac looked full of confidence and Gus played his best yet, I was impressed with his passing. Oliver looked good he is quick and not scared to challenge and could play in a number of positions. Max tested their defence a couple of times. Once again I'm proud of all of them and it is plain to see how much the whole team have improved, role on Chinley.
Under 11s
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
Today's game saw the visit of high flying Hyde United, played six won six, but after several good results High Lane were up for this game. With a game plan of quick attacks and closing down, the opposition, for most of the first-half Hyde found themselves pinned back. Within 10 minutes the ball broke to Marcus in the box after great work from Milo, and cool as you like, this timid player of last season smashed the ball into the corner of Hyde's net. Could there be an upset on the cards? well at half-time probably!
As the second-half started it seemed that one or two of the High Lane team had dropped of the pace, substitutes finding it hard to get into the game, maybe they thought they had already won! Well Hyde had other ideas and within 5 minutes they had drawn level after some sloppy half hearted tackling saw the ball roll into the Hyde players path and he made no mistake. 5 minutes later with similar hesitation Hyde went 2-1 up, for some reason maybe tiredness the game plan of closing Hyde down stopped. High Lane tried in vain to get the goal back, and with 10 minutes to go the ball landed at the back post, the Hyde forward lashed an unstoppable shot past Joe although he managed to get his hands to it the power took it over the line, 3-1. At this and with only minutes remaining High Lane started to believe in their ability again with great footwork from George and at last a couple of good runs from Myles and Milo, created some chances, with a little more drive, endeavour and belief, this team will do very well. Hyde were probably deserved winners and had slightly more control, but High Lane played in the right sporting spirit and showed pride in defeat! Most pleasing today was the first-half attitude of all the players, and the performance of Man of the Match Sean, although several players could quite rightly feel they were Man of the Match. Also very well played Hyde United players and an excellent display from referee Josh Chorlton, all decisions made accurately and quickly, even though some of Hyde's adult contingent still don't know how to accept decisions! and enjoy the game in the right way. We cannot have games without officials, this one is superb.
Under 12s
Match report by David Hanson.
Crikey, goals like buses. Wait ages, nine come at once then not a sniff! I've typed the following phrase so often the keys are worn away. They wanted it more then we did. Simple as. In footballing terms we were more than their equal but they just battered us out of the game. Coach Ben pointed out the two individuals who didn't duck challenges, Mattie Hanson and David Potter - indeed Mattie spent about 15 minutes off the pitch with double vision before getting back on and dominating the second-half, making monkeys of the opponents forwards who resorted to tripping him up. David Potter just gets stuck in time and time again. If he gets hurt, he gets up and does it again. He won Man of the Match for his grit and bravery. Ben Wood was another, champing at the bit to get back on after a clash of heads resulted in a bit of a spouter.
I know last week's ref could recite the League Handbook in seven different languages and at the end of the game it felt like he actually had but at least he knew the game you often hope these little inaccuracies and wrinkles even themselves out but increasingly these days it's a triumph of hope over experience. What do you get when a player sits on a ball? No, it's not a riddle. Obstruction? No - a throw! A throw!!?? Blah, blah, blah, won't get me anywhere but sanctioned - again. Ok then, we missed at least two sitters and hit the bar for the ball to be hacked away but this was all lost when you consider that they went into nearly every challenge knowing they would win it and confidence flowed through their team. It didn't matter that when we played we dominated 'cos they knew all they had to do was put their foot in and we'd back off. If we're to make our ability (and we've got loads) count we have to combine it with bottle and the sooner the better - my thinning, greying hair can't take much more a few more games like this and I'll look like Dicky. A more handsome and athletic looking Dicky obviously.