20/10/2007 - 21/10/2007
Under 10s 'A'
Match report by David Wilde.
High Lane's previous game against Chinley, a side who have had their fair share of troubles this season saw High Lane take a 5-0 win, the goal scorers were Jeffs 4, and Skiba 1, The friendly also ended with a win 2-0 with Doherty and Jarrad scoring.
Rose Hill were coming into to this game having lost 2-1 against a very good Marple side, so we were expecting a tough morning. We started brightly and were playing some nice flowing football. Harper was distributing the ball well rolling out to Munro and Melville, who were linking up with the midfield well. However we fell behind when the Rose Hill defender connected with a corner to make it 1-0. The boys looked a bit shell shocked but carried on playing the passing football, and when Jeffs shot from the half way line a goalkeeping mistake allowed us back into the game 1-1 and that's how it stayed till half-time.
I had a quick chat with the boys and tried to raise their game, back out we went and started well. We were soaking up the Rose Hill pressure and Munro, Melville, Hanson, Southern and Skiba were playing the ball around superbly especially Munro and Melville using Harper to keep their strikers chasing around. Jeffs picked the ball up just outside the box skipped past a couple of defenders and struck a shot which took a wicked defection, leaving the keeper with no chance making it, 2-1. Minutes later and after a nice Rose Hill move we broke in numbers, Hanson found Jeffs just inside his own half who slotted a pass though two players to Hindy one-on-one with the keeper and the boy did what he does best find the back of the net 3-1. Rose Hill were awarded a lifeline from the penalty spot, but the win was High Lane's.
The friendly ended 2-2 goals from Jeffs and Hind. Man of the Match went to Logan Jeffs for a fine all round performance, scored 3 and assisted 2. Well done everyone.
Under 10s 'B'
Match report by Rob McMurdo.
On a nice day with a decent pitch the two teams started well and very evenly, with high lane kicking up hill into the sun battling hard it took an unfortunate communication error not helped by the sun, the ball was kicked high into the air with both Dan and Harry struggling to see with the sun the ball bounced in. High Lane didn't let their heads drop though and went straight back at them only to be caught out when Rose Hill sprung a counter attack from Harry's audacious over head kick attempt off the corner and Jack Crouch chasing back making a desperate attempt to challenge the run away forward to be punished by a penalty. A Rose Hill forward converted the penalty well with Dan Whit getting a hand to it. Gus Campbell and Oliver Thomas linked up well just before half-time only to shoot wide.
High Lane came back out confident after half-time with down hill advantage only to be dosed another bit of bad luck when the ball was crossed and Rica shade off Crouch to go in bottom corner, 3-0. High Lane were eager to pull some goals back, with Dean Jarred, Tom Shaw and Max Hibbert running the midfield they looked like they would. Zac Cubbon came on and added an extra edge and Liam Smith came on to add fresh legs in defence but it wasn't to be as Rose Hill got another one, 4-0. It could have been 5-0 had it not been for Smiths last ditch challenge just before final whistle. It finished 4-0, probably an unfair result with Rose Hill the better side but not by a 4 goal margin. Man of the Match was
Harry Bayley with an outstanding performance from the captain a reflection on the rest of the team who all refused to give up until the final whistle.
Under 12s
Match report by David Hanson.
Where to begin. The beginning usually works for me. They had no balls to kick around, no ref, no linesmen, no full kit and only nine players. They played us off the park. When they attacked they outnumbered us and when they defended they outnumbered us.
The only place we had numerical advantage was on the sidelines where the WAMs were out in force, lured to Wythenshawe by the glamour of the cup. Even they soon fell to discussing the various methods they employed to stop their spouses snoring. Yes, it was that exciting. Most opted for the clenched fist in the small of the spine - a favourite of my very own dear wife. Only the estimable Mrs Dyson went further with an additional knee between Dicky's shoulder blades. She was even considering placing modest explosive devices until I pointed out that if she put the wind up Dicky too much she'd wake up to find him in Marbella. When the air started crackling around us we thought she'd called in an air strike until it was pointed out that they were firecrackers and Dicky was still awake - just.
David Potter was kicked so much he had to come off to recover. Ben Wood bagged two goals and Matty Lyons got a special mention for constantly trying to play football against the odds - or, in this case - with the odds! Special mentions too for Jake Miller and Mattie Hanson who fought tooth and nail to keep us in the game. Class acts, both. I hope by the time I see another game like this I'm so old someone will have to describe it to me in my bath chair in the home by the sea, oh, and I'd like to be deaf too.
Veterans
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
After last weekends privilege of playing in a charity match against Man City All Stars, at Eastlands, the High Lane players knew that they had to concentrate on getting three points from Bexton.
This year they arrived with a full squad of 16 after starting last season’s game with only 9, obviously better players had joined the club in the summer. High Lane started the game strongly with many chances, but the superb efforts of Man of the Match keeper Dave Baldwin and some heroic last ditch tackles kept the score at 0-0, until a speculative pea-roller from Sean Kenny on the edge of the box somehow creaped over the outstretched arm of Baldwin, 1-0. At last High Lane had broken through and they imagined the flood gates would open (not a chance) with more great saves and poor finishing from High Lane, Richard Malley found the ball at his feet 25-yards out, everyone stopped, surely offside? no! he rounded the keeper (Bartez) and slotted home, half-time 1-1.
Second-half, High Lane pushed debutant Wheeler up front to assist the tireless running of Hawker and within 5 Minutes he found himself in a similar situation to Malley. Bexton's defence stopped and asked the question? play on! and a lob over the on coming keeper 2-1. Within 10 minutes it was 3-1 when a cross from the right saw Man of the Match Wheeler poach his second from close range, could there be a bag full? no! Bexton stared to perform and just as in previous weeks High Lane took their foot off, several opportunities fell to the Bexton forwards in the box fortunately Gowland in the High Lane nets made some good stops. High Lane lost their shape searching for another goal and with players out of position Bexton got a deserved second from Malley 3-2, could they get the equaliser? High Lane hung on, in a game they seemed to expect to win easily but eventually just secured the victory. It seems this year that although there are always the exceptions, most matches are likely to be close in this division.
Point of note this week was Mr Bojangles bursting through the Bexton defence in the 75th minute with the goal opening up and a shot waiting to be unleashed. Exhaustion the only excuse he fell over! dived! tripped over his tap shoes! no explanation just a tired heap on the ground in the box.