10/11/2007 - 11/11/2007
Under 10s 'A'
Match report by Rob McMurdo.
Having previously beat Bramhall 12-0, we went into the game having made a few changes including 8-a-side and expecting a relatively easy game with all respect, this wasn't to be as we found ourselves against a very different 'C' team under pressure instantly and were 5-0 down in no time. We made the changes, unfortunately Campbell suffering as Munro came on to boost the back line, increasing it to three for the first time this season.
Half-time came and the lads were still very spirited and full of belief Harper came on in nets as Whittington was struggling with a long term illness. We went back out at them and got one back from Southern who immediately after came over requesting to be subbed as another injury hit us hard, this was a blow but we had a good sub to come on in Campbell who did all he could. Bramhall got another and the game finished 6-1 to Bramhall.
Under 10s 'B'
Match report by Steve Taylor.
This was a different Hale side than the one we played at the start of the season, but we were confident from our last performance. We started with the same team as last week and it proved to be the right choice as we were 2-0 up at half-time. Jordan went in nets after Dan Whit went home ill, Liam at left back, Harry (captain) centre and Dan T right back. In midfield we had Max left, Zac centre and James on the right this left George, Dean, Dom, Oliver and Jack on the bench. We started strong and were keen to push forward. It wasn't long before Max put Zac through on goal who was one-on-one with the keeper and just touched it in. It was a great bit of skill. Number two came from some great passing from the back, Dan T brought it to the half way line and let James have it, he did a one-two with Max and launched in on the right wing it was a great shot. Jordan had to make a couple of saves but the defence were outstanding. Liam is on fire at the moment and was everywhere. The three of them linked in well.
Half-time came and we put Dom, Dean and George on for Zac, Max and James. Dom hasn't played for the 'B' team for a while but you couldn't tell, as he was in the thick of it from the start and he soon put George through and blasted at goal. It took a deflection on one of the Hale players and went in. Number four came from a great run up the left wing by Dean who went past three players and slotted in to the left hand corner of the goals. Dan T made a couple of runs from defence trying to get his second of the season and was unlucky not to score. It was great to see the team back to wining ways and the confidence is up in the whole team.
Man of the Match went to Dan T.
In the friendly we were able to try some of the new players who looked promising and will benefit from the experience.
Under 10s And Under 11s
Match report by Rob McMurdo.
The Under 10s first 11-a-side game in preparation for next season and they took on our Under 11s who are currently lying second in their division.
The Under 10s were hit with the first shock with not one of the back four being available, thanks to the strength and depth of our team we managed to field a strong defensive line with Campbell, Skiba and Hanson, three great midfielders dropping into a back three. We started more than well with a goal after about 15 seconds from Max Hind, this shook the Under 11s who then came back at us scoring two in quick succession one from a mistake from our throwing which we will learn not to throw back to a pressured defender, both goals looping over Harper who was feeling the pressure of the larger nets as he struggled with high balls but commanded everything else, once he's drank his milk over summer he'll be a fine keeper. Captain Shaw dropped himself back into the defence without being asked as he noticed the pressure on them and this added some solid structure to the team with Shaw not stopping the running all game, the Under 10s kept on going and went back with some tremendous passing in midfield from Jeffs, J Melville, Knowles and Southern linking up with the two forwards Doherty and Hind, and this produced a goal from Jeffs as he lashed it into the top corner. The Under 10s kept on the pressure and scored again with the goal of the season from Hind as he connected perfect from Jeffs cross with a volley, following a nine pass move. The Under 11s didn't give up and were determined to come back and again came back at us with two as our defence struggled to cope with the pace of the Under 11s forward, 4-3. Towards the end of the half the goals were flying in as the Under 10s equalised again with Doherty showing some amazing pace, passing and finishing with a well-deserved goal. The Under 10s then struck again with Hind completing his hat–trick and going in at half-time 5-4 up.
One change at half-time was Crouch into nets for Harper, and with the first shot of the half Crouch got up to tip the ball over. The second-half carried on with passing still great and fitness holding up as well. It showed that the Under 10s had used the slight slope on pitch to there advantage as they struggled to cope with the Under 11s football coming at them resulting in a goal to make it 5-5. As the Under 10s absorbed pressure we threw a few subs on with Cubbon coming on upfront closely followed by Thomas and Pollit. The Under 11's kept pressure on with a few counter attacks from the Under 10's only to be caught by an inexperienced offside rule. The Under 11s scored again showing why they are doing so well this season with a great goal and then another as they benefited from the latter stages of the game, 7-5. The Under 10s came back yet again as they still passed the ball around the pitch with a ball to Cubbon who headed over the keeper and in only to be offside. Still the Under 10's pressured being caught a few times but Crouch and the defence kept them out, Hind broke through again shooting with the Under 11s goalkeeper saving but looking to be over the line with the Under 10s celebrating only for the ref to say "no goal".
The game came to a close with both teams defending and attacking very well, Campbell, Skiba, Hanson and Shaw battled well at the back with the rest of the team doing very well. J Melville was a thorn in the Under 11 side all afternoon with his tireless running with and without the ball, when late on in the game still running he picked the ball up in his own half beat seven players to get one-on-one, and just when it looked like being the goal of the game a bad touch gave the keeper a chance. J Melville linked up with the team superbly, showing his potential. A big thanks to the Under 11s for the chance to practice our 11-a-side, hopefully we will have plenty more before the start of next season getting us well and truly ready. Good luck to the Under 11s for the rest of the season, got some great players and with the performance today no wonder your flying in your division. Well done to Under 10s considering the Under 11s are flying high in the division we can take many positives from the game as they have beaten teams their own age stronger than us, and with more ease. The lads should be proud of today and look forward to what could be a title, cup winning team of the future.
Under 11s
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
Well here we are eight games into the season and surprising everyone in the league with great performances and maybe giving the opposition a cause for concern? At the outset of this season we were looking to learn the game, and we have so far coped very well. Today's game against Spurley Hey has probably answered my question, why is this a grudge fixture? Answer, because sadly a few of Spurley's management want, there excellent youngsters to succeed where perhaps they were unable to do so in their youth!!
At the start of the match one or two of our player's seemed a little out of sort, and after some early exchanges fell behind to the only goal of the game scored around 15 minutes, although Man of the Match Joe Chorlton was called into action on a few occasions. After 20 minutes a Spurley Hey handball in the box resulted in a penalty for High Lane, unfortunately that chance went over the bar as Myles went for power. No problem we were always going to get other chances.
After a stern half-time team talk (believe in yourselves and never fear the opposition) the performance of all the High Lane players improved dramatically with several opportunities presented to our forwards, and even deep into stoppage time when, keeper Chorlton came up for a corner and headed just wide. Welcome to the real face of football boy's even though your manager wants you to enjoy every game you play, it is up to every player in the team to show that bit extra, that will give you that special winning smile you all enjoy! Now it is time to learn to win the tough games, as well as those not so tough.
Special note this week for the boy's of Spurley Hey, well done! although a tough fixture. I think we all enjoyed the excellent football ability of both sets of players, at this age group it is all about the youngsters enjoying this fantastic sport. Most pleasing this week our ability in the second-half to try and get that equaliser that possibly we deserved, solid performances again from Dan J and Dan B with Mike making good improvement. Once again an excellent refereeing display, first class!
Under 12s
Match report by David Hanson.
Guess what - no ref! What followed (and I make no apology for the cliché) was a game of two halves. In the first Graham Tomlinson reffed really well, keeping up with play, making balanced calls, asking for help when needed all that was missing was the black suit. We completely dominated the game scoring twice, and threatening to score many more.
In the second-half, at 2-0, we never looked in danger until a clumsy challenge promised to give them a penalty. The ref didn't give it but made up for it moments later when Tom Colbert patted a high ball to his feet and calmly collected it under pressure. The ref blew and we all thought he had spotted a foul on Tom. Noooo, he gave a goal! After that it was all them until they scored again from a hugely offside position. Our team didn't know how to respond as everything our players did was punished with free-kicks and offsides, unless of course it was their centre forward who, no matter where he stood, was never penalised. Whereas previously we might just have given in this time the team responded magnificently by playing football that couldn't be deined by anyone and by scoring a winner that resulted from a mazy dribble and lashed shot by the impressive Josh Smith-Webb. Even he couldn't have dribbled himself into an offside position!
The whole game was a turnaround from the point of view of the team's determination and focus. They played with passion and were only stopped from gaining a cricket score by their keeper who had a storming game. Man of the Match went to Jack Cooke who had a huge game at right back where his passing and speed getting forward really stood out. Last time we were here Mattie Hanson went home on crutches and I feared the worst when Jake Smith went down under a horror challenge. To his credit he soldiered on and it was this spirit that earned us the win that could so easily have slipped through our fingers.
All this bleating aside the team deserve credit for their endeavour and persistence. Ben Wood fully deserved his powerfully struck goal. Alex Dyson proved a classy passer of the ball. Matt Rogers was tenacious alongside the completely unruffled Mattie Hanson. Tom Colbert was brave, making one top drawer save when the forward looked favourite to score and was unlucky (understatement of the century) with the goals.
With any luck we'll start to get recognised officials and teams who want to play football fairly and I can get back to taking the mick out of Dicky, which, after all, is the prime objective of these reports.
Veterans
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
Another top of the table encounter for High Lane, saw the visit of championship favourites Knutsford and High Legh, currently top after playing six and winning six.
With High Lane making a number of enforced changes due to injury and lack of availability, they were still able to field a strong side with Hammy back after injury and new signings Dawson and Man of the Match Hutchy at the back and Wheeler in midfield, the first 20 minutes was an evenly matched affair, although neither keeper was troubled, until a familiar Knutsford ball over the top found the left winger and with a deep cross found Hogan, who played a ball to Platt in the yard box (suspiciously offside) goal given, 0-1. High Lane upped their game and were getting strong around the Knutsford box, but as last week the final ball was lacking. On 30 minutes a stumble at the back for High Lane gave Platt a half chance some 30-yards from goal, 'hit and hope' the ball nestled in the top corner, 0-2. This was a shock to High Lane and as last weeks Caerwys encounter they tried to get back into the game, after losing possession in the Knutsford area a strong counter attack saw the move started and finished by Wellman, 0-3.
In the second-half High Lane showed the desire to turn this one around, they out played Knutsford for most of the game but came up against some stubborn defending and impressive keeping, this showed why they are top of the league they worked well for each other with Man of the Match Brown outstanding. Knutsford were limited to just one real chance snubbed out by High Lane's stand in keeper. Finally with 5 minutes to go Hawker pounced on his first real chance of the game after the keepers miss kick, 1-3 (his first 35 years have been very kind to him!) I guess that's called clutching at straws. Good game once again played in the right spirit and another good refereeing display by N Pym.
Half way through the season Knutsford are flying, the rest of the teams will have to up their game to take points from them so that league isn't won by January, COME ON keep the season alive for the rest of us!