With the Autumnal weather demons gathering and some harsh thrashings dished out, the likes if which have not been seen since corporal punishment was abolished… it’s classic junior football report time.
WD&C U9s Orcas vs Alderley United FC Wizards
A third heavy defeat in a row and not even a consolation goal this time; the glorious winning run earlier in the season seems a long time ago now. It was a frustrating morning in Chorlton Park for the boys as they tried to play the right way, passing and moving, but rarely found a way through their well-drilled opponents. Alderley used their downhill advantage and penned us in for most of the first half. Despite working hard we lacked a little fight and composure, panicking when we had time and dithering when we didn’t – and the Wizards punished our mistakes. Ten times. By half time.
Thankfully the boys regrouped in the second half, using the downward slope and their 2 man advantage to make much more of a game of it, getting into some dangerous positions and forcing a couple of saves. The Wizards were still a class above but the 2-0 scoreline for the 2nd half was much more respectable. The training pitch awaits.
PoM: James E, for a solid shift on the wing followed by a confident half in goal.
(Also a shout out to Riley for picking the ball out of the net ten times but not letting his head drop once)
Urmston Meadowside U10 Eagles v WD&C U10 Harriers
The match didn’t start to plan as the Eagles jumbled through to score the first goal. But this was never a match we looked like losing with our goalkeeper spending most of the game curating the nets and our defence starved of opportunities to impress. Stand-in captain Tyler led the way in attack – his sharp interplay with Jacob and Lucas was pleasing to the eye. Vaughn posed a potent physical threat and Ollie drove forward effectively from deep positions. The standout goal this week came from Lucas who received the ball, shifted it to create the angle, and then placed it so perfectly to the side of the goalkeeper that he could get a job on the spot the ball committee.
Scorers: Tyler (2), Ollie (2), Lucas, Max H, Jacob
PoM: Lucas
WD&C U10 Hawks v Wythenshawe Amateurs Pumas
Hawks continued a gloomy October with a home defeat to the well drilled Pumas. BE went agonisingly close when his shot hit both bar and post. As the rain that makes you wet drifted in, Pumas took a two goal lead before LDSA pulled a goal back.
Pumas, backed by some “enthusiastic” parents, then scored twice more as confusion reigned in the Hawks goal mouth. But Hawks grew into the game with some tremendous passing and flowing moves. BE scored and then NB made it 4-3 just before half time after a brilliant ball from LDSA.
The game changed early in the second half. Hawks missed a penalty and Pumas swept into a 10-3 lead.
Lucien rifled one in from the flank and Hawks went close on several occasions as they showed great spirit to keep going. Pumas were still a threat but sharp keeping from Jack kept the score down in the final minutes.
WD&C U11 Owls v Wythenshawe Pumas
A great team game of football on this soggy morning at Hardy Farm. Big up to the Owls who started on the front foot, putting pressure on every ball.
We had a number of chances to score in the first half with Oliver and Seth working well upfront. The 3-3-2 formation helped us to hold a good defensive line with assertive action from Suhaib and Harris. Liam played the ball safe and Aron intercepted well.
The lads gave it all and some great passing and long runs on the wing from Lorin, and Liam, who were finally blocked after weaving past players. Ged, Aron and Sol were influential and helped Owls have some good chances. Keeper distribution helped play the ball forward. We had the ball for 60% of the time. Despite all this Pumas were a well oiled machine and their swift winger and midfield managed to score 3 goals. Sol passed the ball up to Oliver who assisted Harris to scored an Owl’s goal. Pumas put in another to be 1-4 at half time.
Pumas held game in the second half. Oliver almost scored a blinder of a goal. Batteries started to fade, and some slippy gloves paved the way for Pumas to make it an 1-8 finish. Ged battled on even attempting a shot on goal from the centre spot. Irrespective of the score line today was a team best for Owls some great skills on the field. Great team effort!
Goal scorer: Harris
PoM: Ged for energy and determined play.
Wilmslow Town U11 Jaguars v WD&C U11 Kestrels
The wind was blustery, and the temperature was low on an open field in the shadow of MCR Airport. Kestrels were quick out of the gate pressing hard and a scuffle in the box lead to an early OG in our favour. We kept the pressure on as we had the wind behind us and Kestrels pressed again with 8-BH firing a Scholes-style long distance shot just wide of the net. 3-NB was tested in goal and pulled off a great save. Back up the other end we had 10-WM and 6-LH taking shots at every opportunity. Their efforts paid off with another goal, this time from 6-LH. We watched on awe as Kestrels showed off some great tiki-taka moves, as we charged down towards goal. A cross from 14-JS after a short corner saw 7-EP get another with a great header clipping the inside of the post.
Second half saw us playing into the wind this time and 3-NB was tested, but he made some phenomenal saves. It didn’t take long though for Jaguars to get on the scorecard. We then had to face a free kick from just outside the box, with a rocket shot heading for goal, 3-NB leapt into action and tipped it over the bar. Jaguars weren’t impressed and were firing shots from anywhere, and an unstoppable top-bins shot gave them another.
Scorers: EP (2), LH, OG
PoM: BH
WD&C U14 Falcons v Longford Park 9-0
First win of the season. First half goal from Morgan from a corner should have been followed by a penalty following a long wrestle to the ground of fleet footed Sam. First half Longford were composed from the back and quick and passing much better than us in midfield. But goals win games and early goal from Sam followed by brilliant save from Louis. Louis asked to go into goal for second half led to final half hour of goal after goal. Sam scored 5, Gabe and Jonah late on and Iwan from the spot after being felled in the box. With the goals came more composure and passing. From being second best first half a total turnaround.
PoM: Sam
Wilmslow Town Jaguars v WD&C U16 Phoenix 2-8
A game with a troubled build up, an intense 1st half & then a bit of an anti climax in the 2nd half.
The league appointed ref failed to turn up & was uncontactable on his phone! After a home appointed referee debacle a couple of weeks ago we were, understandably, reluctant to agree to another random home appointed ref situation.
I strode over to our parents who I could sense were nervous about what I was about to say/ask. Five mins later a brave soul had agreed to ref the 1st half (big applause to Chris Burke �� – No previous experience but he agreed to give it a go. Dangerous stuff this turning up to watch your cherished little one play a game of footy. You never know what you might end up doing �)
After Chris’s first (& I suspect last) ever stint of reffing we were 2-2 at half time. We’d let a 2-0 lead slip, so just needed to gather ourselves against an opposition clearly brimming with a new found confidence & the prospect of their own ref for the 2nd half.
After a keenly contested 1st half our free flowing footy style kicked in & the goals flowed in the 2nd half.
There were some absolute belters & we romped into a 7-2 lead with 20 mins to go.
At this point the game got a tad tetchy and the end couldn’t come soon enough. We managed 1 more with 4 mins to go to extend our lead to 8-2.
With tempers starting to fray & an opposition who’d given up on any pretence of self control, or interest in playing football, it was a relief to hear the final whistle.
Goals : Zak (3) Harry (3) Helal (2)
PoM: Zak
Division: 2
WD&C U17 v Urmston Meds U18 Mavericks 4-3
West turned the fields of Flixton black and white on a fine morning following the deluge. Flixton fields was damp but playable and the u17s again faced off against an u18s team showing the extra strength and power that comes from 12 more months of pie eating.
First half a freak goal with the ball caught in the swirling breeze put us behind but we bounced back but then were hit by 2 more soft goals but see us deflated and dejected at half time. Stern words led by the captain and a little insight from the coaches and west came out with new vigour second half. Determination to not be pushed off the ball meant we picked up our first (3) yellow cards of the season and we gained composure to start our passing game and the goals duly flowed. 3 second half goals and determined defending meant to game finished a brilliant 4-3 and move west to third in the table.
Goals: Nic, Benji (2), Daniel
Assists: Roshan, Tom B, Daniel (2)
PoM: Tom B
