02/02/2008 - 03/02/2008
Under 10s 'B'
Match report by Steve Taylor.
The pitch was covered in snow and it took me some time to set the pitch up so we kicked off late and I did not have time to warm the team up properly, but we held them for some time. Dan Whit in nets, Liam, Dan T and Harry at the back, midfield we had Max, James and Dean which left George up front and Dom and Oliver subs. We played well from the start and were unlucky to concede early on, but our heads stayed up and we soon levelled the score with a header from Liam supplied from James.
The game was up and down both sides had chances but failed to convert. It was looking to be a draw when they broke from one of attacks and managed to score we were tied and it showed, most of the pitch was on their boots. It was the last few minutes of the game when they scored again it finished 3-1 to them. This was a good performance by the team the score is nothing to go by, even their manager came over and said it should have been a draw. Man of the Match, Max H.
Under 12s
Match report by David Hanson.
What a great victory, especially after some of us had to dust down their A-Zs to get there. Dicky's obviously taken the hump over continued (but righteous) criticism of his maps. He keeps the only readable copy and hands out faded, featureless pieces of paper that are about as much use as a balloon in a premiership game - but not half as funny. You may as well put on a blindfold, spin around for 10 minutes, then start walking in the direction you end up in. Nonetheless we all made it and were rewarded with a cracking performance against a physically tough team and a swirling wind.
We picked up where we left off in last week's first-half, playing direct, accurate football from the back. Alex Dyson had another classy game, always calm in possession and looking for our players. He fed an early ball to Josh Smith-Webb who played Matt Rogers in beautifully between the centre backs. Matt finished coolly and we settled into a rhythm that promised to bring more goals. Mattie Hanson and Shaun Farrell looked impenetrable at the back and looked to get the ball to their full backs and use the width of the pitch. Jack Cooke always played the ball intelligently down the wings to Jake Miller and Ben Wood had a colossal game it left back. He not only dominated in his defensive role but popped in some delicious dead balls and corners. He just piped the dogged and inspiring David Potter to Man of the Match. David was up against the TALLEST 11-year-old I have ever seen. When he came on as sub the sun went in for half an hour but David just plugged away, never letting them rest on the ball. We looked solid although we couldn't get that vital second goal when Mattie Hanson chased down an attacker and, as usual, used his pace to get himself between the player and the ball, shielding it to safety. The forward was frustrated and so (by his own admission to a team mate after) simply jumped on Mattie's back bringing them both down. The young ref put the whistle to his lips and promptly gave a penalty! They duly scored past an otherwise exemplary Tom Colbert - great hands again Tom. Straight after, clearly burdened with the weight of an awful decision, the poor ref's ankle gave way and his Dad took over…honestly, not making it up...well, maybe the bit about the burden.
Anyway, all square at half-time, against the run of play but coach Ben rightly pointed out that, with the wind and slope with them the second-half would be a gritty, attritional affair and he was right with knobs on. They threw everything at us and football went out of the window as we defended for all we were worth. At one point they managed to breach the defence and the ball looped over Tom only for David Potter to hook it acrobatically and heroically off the line. As they washed up against our magnificent defence time and time again like so many wind driven waves we slowly began to get a foothold back in the game and in one final push, won another corner. Ben Wood swung over another delightful ball and there was Jack Cooke, unmarked on the six-yard box, to head cleanly inside an unguarded far post. It was like getting off the beaches at Dunkirk - only without the boats!
The lads should all be proud of the way they performed in this game - they acted and looked like a real team, playing for each other and supporting each other - it always works best that way. Next week I expect Dicky will start to give us clues by text as to where we're playing - it seems a natural progression from pants maps.
Veterans
Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
After the lack of games due to poor weather, both sides where ready for a game, with the Knutsford pitch looking in great condition and only the strong wind was likely to affect the game.
For 30 minutes both sides were evenly matched until High Lane lost the ball in midfield and the Knutsford forward took advantage of a very tight offside shout to slot the ball smartly in the corner, with the wind playing a big part High Lane kept over hitting balls, easily dealt with by the Knutsford defence. Half-time 1-0.
Within 10 minutes of the restart High Lane started to look more organised with Doyle & McCullough on as subs McCullough's first touch fizzed past the post (first shot in anger from High Lane) with pressure mounting, a cross from the left was met by the head of Powell 1-1.
This was a very even contest, until a Knutsford corner floated toward the back post & appeared to possibly cross the line as keeper Gowland was fouled by a blatant push as he stretched to grab the ball by a Knutsford forward, whistle! free-kick? NO!!!!!!!!!! Goal straight from the corner? and ignore the foul on the keeper NO! surprise! surprise! a Knutsford penalty 2-1.
Feeling very hard done by High Lane attempted to get a deserved equaliser but were unable to penetrate in the final third with some poor passing choices, and were unable to trouble the Knutsford keeper, as the final 5 minutes approached a good cross from the left saw the Knutsford forward head in from close range scoring their third goal in a game that saw only four attempts on goal from Knutsford and only two from High Lane. Final score 3-1.
Thanks to ref Neil who did very well throughout the game, despite unnecessary, constant badgering and pressure from a few of the Knutsford players, they are obviously a good side who don't need to try to influence officials!!!