Wildcats

West’s Wildcats stepped out for the first time this year and with some new branding provided by Weetabix!

We had a whopping 18 girls come down this weekend, and we faired better than a lot of their siblings who had to play in snow the day before, but the sun shone for our girls.

We were treated to seeing a mixed team in action at Hardy Farm against our U14 team, and the women’s first and reserve teams were both showing off their skills at a training session on the full size pitch. It made for some great inspiration for the youngsters and really fired them up!

The girls were reminded of our basic warm ups and stretches through dynamic movements. They were challenged to a game of “Coach Says” and I have to say, their listening skills are superb!

The girls were split into two smaller groups for the bulk of the session to provide a more appropriate and personal approach to their footballing journey based on their age and experience.

Finally, we all came together again for an epic game of fruit salad, just for fun!

Sale U10 Cheetahs v WD&C U10 Hawks

Hawks struggled with the blizzard conditions and Cheetahs’ desire to win saw them through to the next round.

Hawks dominated the first half, Rudy scoring from Lucien and Noah’s well worked short corner.

But as the snowstorm got heavier, several Hawks struggled with the cold and Cheetahs edged ahead. We ended up playing the last 20 minutes with 5 players. Even then Hawks created several great chances but couldn’t find an equaliser.

Ben showed outstanding passing and touch throughout the game.

Longford Borough U11 v WD&C U11 Kestrels

A return to cup competition for the first time this season saw the Kestrels in fine form. Missing a few of our young hero’s with isolation we lined up a bit unusually with our regular centre mid in goal.

Elliot opened the scoring after hitting a post and cross-bar but we were pegged back in a tough opening period. This raised the boys and they rapidly replied.

Changes came at half time with Jude coming out of goal and grabbing a brace along with William and finally Elliots grabbed his hat-trick. A late flurry from the home side pegged us back but our Kestrels soared!

Cold but happy boys!

Goals: Elliot (3), Jude (2), William (2)
PoM: Fred

Hale Utd U13 v WD&C U13 5-2

West U13s returned to action on a gloriously sunny morning in the footballer’s paradise of Bowden.

The result – a 5-2 defeat – didn’t really matter. It was just brilliant to see the kids back playing.

After a journey counting the Porsches and Aston Martins and constant comments on the size of the houses, West got down to business – and for the first five minutes it was as if they were all letting out three months of pent-up frustration.

West raced into the lead in the first couple of minutes, a great through ball from Frankie releasing Tom and his shot had too much power for the Hale keeper.

A minute later it was almost two as Tom turned provider with a wicked free-kick into the box and the Hale keeper somehow managed to stop the combined efforts of Jacob and Ted as they raced onto the ball.

The resulting corner saw Isaac whip the ball in and hit the post.

It was a whirlwind of an opening, but Hale hit back to momentarily take the wind out of West’s sails. A scramble from a corner saw the ball break to an unmarked Hale player in front of goal and he had time to turn and pick his spot.

But West came again, and Frankie, who was doing a fantastic job replacing the injured George up front, chased down a long ball and squared it for the on-rushing Kenta to side foot the ball home.

The game became end to end, with Cameron and Isaac both making timely challenges to deny Hale, before they managed to equalise again through an absolute fluke. A harmless looking shot was bobbling towards Alfie to make a comfortable save when it suddenly took off and looped over his head.

West came close to retaking the lead through efforts from Mark and Billy, before Hale struck the bar with a looping header from their towering centre half.

After the frenetic first half, it was no surprise when the pace slowed in the second. Fitness began to tell with West suffering a series of niggling injuries.

Isaac saw an effort cleared off the line after more good work by Frankie, while Alfie had to make a couple of interventions to keep the score at 2-2.

Tom dropped into defence and proved to be an absolute rock breaking up several Hale counter attacks.

But a five-minute spell saw Hale pull clear. They took the lead through an excellent volley from a corner, followed by another lucky goal as Alfie’s clearance cannoned off the striker to leave him with an easy tap in. Shortly afterwards tired legs resulted in the Hale striker breaking clear to slot home the fifth.

There was still a late chance for another West goal as Kenta sneaked in at the back post on a corner but just couldn’t manage to control his volley goalwards.

A solid start by the boys.

Goals: Tom (1), Kenta (1)
PoM: Tom

South Manchester U15 Lions v WD&C U15 Magpies 6-4

Pre match battles involving outdated Google maps and venue instructions lead to a rather helter-skelter start for the Magpies that was to set the tone for a rather madcap fixture in the spring sunshine.

The Magpies started the sharper with a high press that coughed the ball up for Jack H to slot in Adeyo for the opener. Like many others, that lead was short lived as our back 4 reminisced about that missed Sunday lie in. 1-1.

The Lions roared once more as a ball over the top yielded more joy. 2-1.

Tyler started to find his feet in his first start for about 6 months and pinged in a trademark powerful shot from outside of the box, low and hard into the corner. 2-2.

The see saw game continued like a basketball match as the Lions scored a long range effort in a game that saw more chips than Blackpool front.

With half time beckoning, Jack H fancied his chances from a long range direct free kick. “Can you even kick it that far?” Was swiftly answered with the perfect curler into the top corner. The fingers to lips ended that argument. 3-3.

A flick over his shoulder and long range volley made the goal of the season contender list as Tyler put us 4-3 up, only to concede almost immediately as their full backs pushed on to good overlapping effect. 4-4.

Two more lobbed goals against will rile us all week before a home rematch in 7 days as we went down 6-4.

Good for the neutral, follicularly challenging for the defensive coach, but a joy just to be back booting leather in an improving world.

Goals: Adeyo (1), Tyler (2), Jack H (1)
PoM Tyler.

WD&C U17 v Timperley Villa U17 Volcanoes 4-2

West U17s kicked off the resumption in fine style with a 4-2 win over Timperley Villa Volcanoes. Playing on brand new astro in Altrincham suited West’s silky style and they burst into an early 2-0 lead. Unfortunately multiple chances came and went without finishing off the game and Timperley were allowed back into the tie. In the second half two more goals followed and despite conceding a late consolation it was a comfortable win. Four different scorers and none from our top scorer showed a team with everyone willing to contribute.

PoM: Tom B for capping a strong performance with a fine headed goal.