Collated by Nick Syrett
The first fixture weekend of 2020 saw the Sunday crew of surly teenagers return to the Timperley & District league once again. A rich diet of FIFA and fizzy pop is a well renowned remedy for 3 weeks of no fixtures… A poorly curator, laid low by a tropical Bog borne water parasite from his recent festive exchange trip to the wetlands of central America did nothing for the West ranks’ hopes of playing at Hardly farm. The cow field of Chorlton park beckoned once again for those at home this Sunday… Let’s see how they got on
U12’s v Altrincham Lancers, Winter Cup
Won 8-1
Goals: William Eaton 4, George Roskell 3, Kenta Brennan 1
POTM – William Eaton
West u12s clearly got their Christmas and New Year training and nutrition plans spot on. That, or they came into this encounter with Altrincham Lancers well rested and raring to go for 2020.
The vocal home crowd (around a dozen people and two dogs) at Chorlton Park saw a close and cagey opening 20 minutes or so, with West unfortunately losing Frankie early to injury.
Just when it looked like the deadlock was not going to be broken anytime soon, the West coaching team stepped in with a tactical masterstroke. William was sent to play upfront and the goalfest began.
William did well to gain possession and opened his account with a fantastic chip over the keeper. It didn’t take long for the second goal to come, with a shot from George setting William up for an easy tap in. He then completed his hat-trick in style with a superb solo effort.
With William temporarily subbed off for a well earned breather, George and Cameron capitalised on a defensive error for George to slot home. West went into the half time break 4-0 up.
Lancers, however, did not give up and West needed to continue to function as a strong unit through the second half. Wilf, Lucas, Kofi and Louis were all having great games, looking strong and working well together as a team to put together some superb passing moves
Not long after the break, Alfie made a superb save with his feet. Jacob W made a great run down the right wing. With West again in attack, William’s powerful shot hit the corner of the post and bar before George was on hand to slot it home. With hat-tricks all the rage, shortly afterwards George picked up on an errant goal kick and fired home from distance to complete his own.
Lancers refused to lie down and Alfie was forced into more saves, with Jacob W following up to make a near goal line clearance. Despite the pressure, West were looking strong on the break, with Kenta finding space and showing his power making runs on the right. Isaac made a great run, forcing a save from the keeper. Kenta’s work then paid off. He found his breakthrough following a pass from William, to put West 7-0 up. William completed the scoring for West slotting in his 4th to make it 8-0, with the defender appealing for offside.
To their credit, Lancers did not give up and got themselves a consolation goal two minutes from time with a shot that went in off the post.
Overall a cracking performance from West . Solid defensive and midfield work, with chances well taken upfront. A great start to the new year.
U14 Magpies v Egerton Tatton
With the winter break oxidizing the recent good form of the U14 Magpies, a new year match up against Egerton Tatton, who boasted a 100% record, was going to be a tough ask.
The extra Saturday training session paid dividends as we coped the better, and started brightly on a bobbly Chorlton park surface.
The Hitman ushered away larger colleagues as he stood over a free kick at least 35 yds out. “Not from there Jack” uttered the non-believers.. But the wee firecracker packs a punch larger than you’d think. The perfect vectors of loft, arc and power saw a back pedalling keeper clawing at thin air as the ball kissed the top left angle. Another hitman collectors item.
The rest of the first half offered few alarms as the imperious back 3 looked calm and classy against a team that crushed us with 10 men earlier this season.
The Magpies showed great energy and urgency as the lads demonstrated their growing maturity with and without the ball.
A fine passing move across the left flank, CAM, centre mid and finally the hitman saw us land a heavy blow mid way through the 2nd half. 2-0. Could we do the unexpected?
Posts were hit, saves and blocks were made as we thwarted their attacking endeavours.
Egerton put a large cat amongst the Magpies with a well taken reply at 64 mins. 2-1. Which team would believe?
With a minute to go, a free kick softer than a family pack of Andrex was awarded from just outside the right edge of our box…
Time stood still as it was now our turn to watch a back pedalling keeper powerless to keep out a free kick straight out of the Hitman school of trickery. Crushed.
A great team effort and a good point against the champions elect. It does however feel a little like we tripped and spoiled what would have been a delicious cake. The team is at least able to serve up this kind of fine fodder. 20:20 vision is looking positive.
Final score Magpies 2 : Egerton Tatton 2.
Goals: Jack Haworth 2
Potm Adeyo.
U14 Badgers
Division 5
Wilmslow cougars (h)
Won 4-3
Scorers: Kayden (2), Austin, Connor
PoM: Aaron
Well done lads – that blew the cobwebs away. At 4-0, it looked comfortable!! Good way to start the new year. Winning run continues and we go again next week ?
Altrincham Titans v U15’s Phoenix
Div 2
3 – 3
A “backs to the wall” performance from the boys today against an Altrincham team unbeaten in the league this season !
We had 3 cry offs this morning before the clock had even struck 8.30 am ? (to add to a cry off on Fri afternoon)
One of our most effective attacking talents had to play in nets (owing to a hip niggle) & our normal goalkeeper had to step out of his comfort zone & play the game in centre midfield (great efforts from Sal & Fred ?)
With a hasty revision of tactics & formation the lads started brightly against a quality opposition – the game was open & expansive from the start (an entertaining one for the small but enthusiastic crowd)
2 – 0 up at half time reflected a terrific effort from the lads ?
Our depleted numbers took another blow early in the 2nd half when our left back had to come off with a muscular injury..cue another personnel reshuffle.
Altrincham clawed it back to 2-2 with some excellent attacking football.
At this point the lads could have folded completely against a team which was making expert use of it’s full complement of players & substitutes..but they didn’t ?
To their total credit they continued playing their football & were rewarded with a goal to move 3-2 ahead.
With weary legs & tired bodies, our lack of numbers eventually took its toll against a team who were throwing everything at us. Eventually our black and white wall gave way & Altrincham equalised with minutes to go
In the circumstances, with the injuries and illnesses piling up, the boys were magnificent and thoroughly deserved their point.
Goals for Helal, Fred & Zak
POM Charlie
Under 16s
After 5 weeks without a fixture the under 16s needed a work out and so a friendly against title challengers and regular foe AFC Urmston Meadowside Athletico was organised to prepare the boys for the fixture congestion and title challenge run-in ahead with top of the table clashes and a cup semi final (not at Wembley this time) to look forward to. Also a chance to test our managerial nous by trying out an exciting 3-5-2 formation. While Meds started brightly it was West who burst into a 2-0 lead through goals from Nicquille and Daniel. Unfortunately Meds pressure paid off with speedy 6 foot strikers and long balls over top catching out our side built on the Guardiola ethos and we turned around 3-2 down. Another Meds goal made it 4-2 before MOTM Daniel gave us hope with his second. Another Meds goal finished us off as we limped to the finish. A good workout and some learnings before we start the second half of the season in earnest. Still top at Christmas!!
