Hardly Farm failed the 50:50 game of chance this week as wet weather again kiboshed any hope of playing on the hallowed turf this weekend. It did at least give our curator the freedom to carry out his renowned cleansing ritual. True to the old saxon ways, the Krombacher beer shed was converted into a Norse style sweat lodge with rocks and heated concrete blocks from the bonfire/car park. The source of the medicinal herbs went unquestioned as the “healthy” plume of smoke got to work on our bog magnet. A weekend of contrast sweat lodging and mersey puddle dunking clearly did it’s job as a jaded figure was seen jauntily strutting to his trusty tractor on monday morning. Normal service resumed. 

WD&C Harriers U9 v Ashton-on-Mersey Sabres . After being venomously attacked last week by the Vipers, this week the Harriers had to try and avoid a mauling by the equally threateningly named Sabres. The Sabres pounced first with a goal but the Harriers swooped back in reply with a well taken shot by Ruben to even things up. Tyler then put another past their Titan in goal which drew another reply from the Sabres. The Sabres were gradually turned into pussy cats as goals flew in for the home team from Vaughn, Ollie S (3), and Theo with only two passing the other way. Special mentions for Tyler who rose majestically to parry the ball away when he was between the sticks and for new boys Luke and Tai who both had confident debuts. The match ball proverbially belonged to Ollie for his hat trick but more literally it still belongs to the coach who put it back in the kitbag for next week.

Ashton on Mersey Jackals 4 -7 WD&C U9 Hawks 

Ben (4), Ollie (2), Noah

A brace from Breed in his last game clinched victory for Hawks on a frosty morning. 

Ben gave Hawks the lead but Jackals replied and then went ahead when Ollie grabbed his first of the game, unfortunately deflecting a shot into his own goal.  Angus kept things tight at the back before Ben grabbed his second. 

In the second period Hawks played some tremendous football.  Luca B (wearing Angus’ mom’s socks after his got soaked in a deep puddle on the ride to the ground), Luca G, Rudy and Sam were keeping and using the ball well. One move started with keeper Joe and ended with Ben finishing coolly for his hat trick. He then added his 4th with a long range shot before Ollie’s pirouette and precise pass released Noah who buried the ball in the net. 

Ollie continued to make an impact, this on Noah, who needed treatment after a midfield collision. Bertie C kept his cool after some argy bargy with a pair of rattled Jackals and was causing havoc down the right flank.  

At 5-4 Ollie made a save to keep the Jackals out before Tony shuffled his aces and sent him up front for the last ten minutes.  The game was in the balance in the closing minutes but Ollie twice strode through and drilled the ball home to seal his Mars Bar Man of the Match award.

U10 Eagles

Denmark League

Lymm Aces (h)

Won

Scorers: mikki, Luca, Nico (2)

PoM: Fionn – excellent goalkeeping

Under 13’s beat the fog and Hale Lazio 8-0 at chorlton park this morning. Goals Sam 3 Dylan 2 Rory Iwan Zayn. Zayn had his best game since 7 a side and his well struck goal was highlight of game for me. Kaylum injured after 20 and could not continue was only fly in the ointment.

U14 Badgers 

Quarter final of cup

Unicorn athletic (a)

Lost 2-3

Scorers: Isaak Teddy

PoM Isaak

Only had 11 out there due to late illness, no show and injuries!! Lads did themselves and club proud. Paint on crossbar in 68th minute stopped us forcing extra time.

U14 Magpies v Wilmslow town panthers; league fixture

Magpies were playing a Wilmslow team who were having a good season with them currently lying in 2nd place. However magpies last two results against 1st and 3rd gave the lads confidence despite losing 8-3 to this team earlier in the season.

For the first half it was pretty much one way traffic, with wave after wave of attack by Panthers. Fin (GK) was on inspired form with save after save and with the half drawing to a close and with the mass of home support hoping for a 0-0 HT the unthinkable happened, a rare magpies counter attack caught Wilmslow by surprise and Harvey coolly slotted in for a 1-0 lead. Could they upset the league placing a for the 3rd week in a row?

Second half was pretty much the same as the first half, with Fin and the defensive line up matching all Wilmslow attacks, including a fine penalty save by Fin. However the pressure finally told and Wilmslow quickly got 2 goals with  10 mins to go. With Magpies pushing for a draw a last minute goal by Panthers took the gloss of a strong defensive performance. 

Score: 1-3

Goals: Harvey

Potm: Finn

U16s.

The u16s title challenge ended on Sunday with a home defeat to Urmston meadowside athletico who go top. 2 early goals for Meds evidenced a sloppy and under prepared West but before half time we hit back with 2 cracking team goals sandwiched by another for Meds. 3-2 at the break and we felt the game was winnable. Unfortunately the second half went the other way and 3 more for Meds meant a final score of 5-2. We drop to 3rd and intend to focus on the cup!