WD&C U9 Orcas v Mersey Valley Pumas

We were looking for a reaction from the boys after last week’s big loss and they delivered: the Pumas deserved the win but the scoreline was a little flattering. A competitive game throughout, we had plenty of possession and put some nice moves together but struggled to get past their packed defence and all-action keeper. Conversely they put increasing pressure on our defence and their relentlessness gave them a decent lead at the break. Teddy’s Neuer-like sweeper-keeping and a great run and goal from Luca set up the chance for a 2nd half comeback. Unfortunately the Pumas managed to limit us to half chances and were saved by the woodwork a few times. As we tried to press forward they broke dangerously and added a couple more. Plenty of work to do but a definite improvement. 

Scorer: Luca. 

PoM: Liam – new to the team and gelled straight away: good passing, work rate and attitude throughout.

Wildcats

Today we had 10 super enthusiastic young ladies come down to Hardy Farm, including some new faces!

The session today was all about different types of movements that we might use during a game, and some warm up moves.

We began with some ice breaker games to continue building a bond between the girls and allowing them to get to know each other more.

We moved on to playing some quick moving games without a ball, these were made fun by using animals as our inspiration for our movements such as sprinting like a cheetah and side stepping like a crab.

The girls then broke off into pairs or trios and tried to come up with their own types of movement, either with or without a ball, and taught each other, then came back to the group and showed everyone else their new skills, the girls came up with some fascinating movements, such as scurrying like a critter and stomping like an elephant.

We finished the session off together as a large group and showed off our animal movements with a ball, learning about what part of our foot to use when doing different skills and moving at different speeds as they were suddenly put under a bit of pressure by a shark trying to steal their ball!

We are already seeing the girls thinking about how their bodies are working and they’re building new friendships through a fun, energetic activity, perfect Sunday morning!

WD&C U10 Harriers v Egerton u10 Panthers

We played this lot a few weeks ago and they seem to have found their confidence since they first frustrated our forward line and then pierced our defence three times in the first half without answer. The three goal lead was perhaps flattering as Jacob and Tyler looked like a dangerous duo in the first half with their sharp interplay stretching the panthers. We kept with it and as we ratcheted up the pressure we were rewarded with an own goal from Tyler’s whipped corner. Two more goals followed with characteristically sharp finishes from the self styled Tinkeroo before a nail biting last five minutes for Egerton as the Harriers piled on the pressure. Jacob shot at goal in the last minute and we all held our breath but this time it flashed over leaving it honours even at the final whistle.

Scorer: og (unattributed) Tyler (2)

Pom: Tyler

Broadheath Central Boca v WD&C U10 Hawks

Hawks fell just short in gloomy Broadheath on a pitch with long grass and a ball like rock.

Big boned Boca swept into a 3-0 lead but Hawks fought back mainly through LDSA’s tireless running. 

Boca pulled further ahead but Hawks showed great spirit to stay in the game. Boca’s keeper had a fantastic game, keeping them in it at times. RNH nearly burst the net and NB slotted home after an outrageous SZ pass as Hawks threatened to equalise. 

In the end, Boca scored a late goal to seal the win. Great attitude and work rate from Hawks against a good team. 

Stretford Victoria v WD&C U11 Owls

SV scored within a minute taking them into the lead, but Owls held tight and dominated the first half with 70% possession. Oliver showed some brilliant skill, racing forward on the ball, and with an assist from Sol, he fired a long range ball into the back of the net to equalise in the 10th minute. Owls continued to play and looked so dangerous. Frankie our keeper was distributing well and coming out to save and defend. Ged and Suhaib worked a great defence, with Liam and Lorin to good effect. Issac also influential, showing more composure, with Aron jumping to win the ball and play good passes forward. Oscar did some great running and was first to the ball. Oliver passed to Seth and he scored, and at half time Owls were winning 1-2. 

The 2nd half saw SV put pressure on our defence and they scored a 2nd goal. A error in distribution served up SV goals 3 and 4. Owls buckled under the pressure, shape loosened and motivation dipped. But, Suhaib stayed focused. In eagerness to score Owls were taking shots on goal from far out which were easily saved. SV ramped up their play, the game became a bit physical and the Owls conceded three more goals in very quick succession. Ged and Seth in particular battled to the end. A difficult half for Owls. 

PoM: Oliver first half for creative play, and hard work in making many challenges; Seth 2nd half for staying motivated until the final whistle.

Goals: Oliver, Seth

WD&C U13 v Sale Communities JFC U13  3-3

West’s high-scoring season continued with a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw against Sale. 

Goals from Ted, George and Kenta put West 3-0 up midway through the first half before West’s desire to always try to find that Hollywood ending returned as Sale mounted a stirring fightback. 

But West’s speed up front meant they still had enough chances to win in an end-to-end second half. 

Ted put West ahead early as Jacob put in a dangerous cross which the Sale keeper lost under pressure from William. Ted was in the right place to swivel and fire the ball home. 

Despite the early goal the theme for the match was set as it became a slugfest to see who would take their chances. 

A good save by Alfie was quickly followed by some fantastic covering defending by Cameron as Sale began to get a foothold in the game. Phil was shouting for the lads to get a grip of the game and control the ball.  

Kenta decided to take his coach’s instructions to the letter – he took a clearance from Alfie on the halfway line and took off. His speed took him past two defenders and into the box and he then had the composure to curl the ball into the far corner – a fantastic goal. 

It was West’s turn to have a spell in the ascendancy. 

George saw a looping shot just clear the bar, before good interplay between Ted and William almost saw Frankie score. 

It was no surprise when West increased their lead. Great play by Kofi saw his shot well saved by the Sale keeper, but George was there to slot the ball home. 

William then had a chance to further increase the lead as Jacob strode out of defence and played a ball over the top. Great pace from William saw him easily win the chase for the ball but his shot was well saved. 

But Sale continued to look a threat, especially with core of skilful and combative midfielders. 

Two bizarre goals in a matter of minutes suddenly saw them right back in the game. The first was one for the conspiracy theorists out there to decipher because no-one, even those at the heart of the incident know what happened. It was either an own goal or wasn’t but somehow the ball emerged from a group of players and past Alfie. 

The second will be debated long and hard and should lead to calls for VAR and goal-line technology in junior football. Alfie saved well only for the ball to break back to striker who fired the ball goalwards. The ball hit the post and the ref turned to give a goal, while Alfie picked the ball up adamant it hadn’t crossed the line. 

Instead of letting their heads go down West drove forward and William was unfortunate again as he raced onto a through ball only to toe-poke the ball wide. 

After wholesale changes to ensure all the squad got a game the second half started again with West piling on the pressure. First George raced clear from the halfway line only for the Sale keeper to again save well. This was quickly followed by a good shot from Isaac which the keeper saved with his feet and then managed to just beat Lucas to the follow up. 

But neither team could sustain any period of dominance, meaning the match was constantly on a knife-edge. The Sale no6 was putting on a virtuoso performance of skill and constant work rate. Twice he broke through numerous challenges, first time firing just wide and the second time being denied by a brave block from Mark. 

But a long ball over the top undid West sending the Sale striker racing towards goal and Alfie, who was putting on a assured goalkeeping display, given no chance. 

It was then a case of who wanted the win most. Every West player was doing their job. 

West still had time to create two more chances to take the three points. First Isaac bustled his way in the box but the Sale keeper produced an excellent save. Then the non-stop George raced clear following a great through ball from Tom. His shot was blocked and then ball rebounded off George but rolled agonisingly wide. 

The crowd applauded both sides at the end for a great advert for junior football. Every member of the squad can be proud of their display today in a hugely positive performance �

POTM: Kofi

WD&C U14 Falcons v  Brooklands dragons 3-5  .

Another very close one..conceded last minute pen pressing for equaliser.

Goals: Sam (3)

PoM: Gabriel Lansley

Ashton on Mersey Titans v WD&C U15 Magpies 0-5

Another hand picked friendly to boost flagging morale paid dividends this time as the Magpies delivered a 5 star performance. 

They bossed possession in the first half, but only had a single goal to show for their toil at half time.  A double nutmeg and a near post finish from Ioannis was a top stand out solo effort. Solo moments were otherwise few and far between as the plucky Magpies passed and moved through the thirds fantastically. 

A half time pep talk and a little more composure in the final third saw our free flowing football serve up a delicious platter of chances for our dynamic maestros.

Harvey and Josh were the gleeful recipients of the final killer ball and both applied skilful finishes to put a gloss on 2 marvellous team goals. 

Zeno literally chipped in with his weekly dusting of Brazilian magic. Cutting in on to his right he pinged another top corner collectors item over the keeper. 

Zeno added a fifth after another rapier like pinball move befuddled the tiring Titans.

A job well done and a much needed shot in the arm for all. 

Goals: Zeno (2), Ioannis, Josh and Harvey.

PoM: Could have been the whole team for a top all round effort front to back. But Josh epitomised the smouldering spirit today and was on fire. 

Urmston Meadowside Juventus v WD&C U15 Badgers 0-6

Great win today for the lads. Not at our fluid best but the result was good. Poor team that brought our ability down to theirs. Takes us to top of league for short time. 

Scorers: Isaak (2), Sam, joe, Joel, Teddy

PoM: Joe – good all round solid performance in midfield 

WD&C U15 Lions v Unicorns Athletic 4-10

One step forward, two steps back. After a great performance last week old habits came to the fore and we succumbed to a 4-10 loss. A crumb of comfort was everyone gave their all and we scored peaches of goals. Scorers were Luke, Ivan, Abdul and Ben (i think). Back to the drawing board.

WD&C U16 Phoenix v Sale Vulcans 4-1

With only 11 available players this week the lads produced probably their most complete footballing performance of the season – against a very good Sale Vulcans side.

Fred in goals & a makeshift backline were rock solid against a tall, powerful opposition front line & provided the platform for the rest of the team to prosper.

Mani & Zak were non stop in the centre of midfield & our forward line caused the opposition all sorts of problems throughout the game.

Once again, we missed a number of golden chances which could have made the scoreline even more impressive.

This was genuinely the hardest game I’ve had to do in terms of picking a POTM but, after much consideration, Helal takes the accolade �. He scored with a super finish & was constantly busting a gut to be in positions to score more.

We’re up to 2nd in the league but this is proving to be a tight division & we’ll need to continue at this level to achieve the success we’re aiming for.

Excellent effort…well done all �

Division: 2

Scorers : Paddy, Helal, Harry & Zak.

WD&C U17s v Altrincham Juniors Tornadoes U18 4-4

U17s played our first official game against a team a year older as the youth League is mixed age groups so Altrincham Juniors Tornadoes u18s arrived looking like giants, all with full beards and some with beer bellies. But their extra physicality was a shock as the West youngsters quickly fell 2-0 behind but they picked themselves up and got a goal back. Then a breakaway from Alty made it 3-1. But the Young’s Boys of Chorlton spat out their dummies and put away their childish things to bounce back with 2 goals to go in 3-3 at the break. At half time the team discussed the lack of mobility at the back of their aged opponents and the faint whiff of stale beer coming from the ‘Chelsea’ pensioners. We started the second half expecting to win but conceded a shock goal to go 4-3 down. An equaliser soon came as boys became men and for the rest of the second half West pushed for the winner but it wouldn’t come and it finished a draw. Man of the match was hat trick hero Daniel and the other goal was scored by Nicquille.