Sale United Hornets vs WD&C U9 Orcas

First report of the season from us and I’m glad to start with a convincing win. The boys got off to a cracking start with a flurry of early goals from a mix of mazy running, neat interplay and quality finishing. We built enough of a lead before half time to allow our opponents an extra man and they got back into the game with a couple of good goals. Despite this and our zero substitutes (currently isolating), the boys stayed in control and kept tracking back, making some great saves & tackles and breaking dangerously. It was no easy game but in the end they pulled off some seriously spectacular goalkeeping to stop us running away with it.

Scorers: Luca (4), James H (3), Riley (1)

PoM: James H

WD&C U10 Hawks v Hale Utd Mercury

An epic encounter. Mud, rain, goals and a share of the spoils.

Hawks applied the new COVID guidelines strictly by only having six players and faced an impressive Mercury outfit who played with seven throughout and had three subs. West started well with some devastating passing and movement. LDS notched a first half hat trick and LB added his first West goal. 4-1 at half time but Hawks should have been further ahead with better finishing.

Hale stormed back after the break. From 5-2 down they went 6-5 ahead as Hawks tired and heads started to drop. But as the rain intensified, Hawks put in a final effort. SZ slalomed through and calmly slotted home an equaliser with two minutes to go. These boys don’t know when they are beaten and only two incredible saves from the Mercury keeper in the final minute kept them out.

Wythenshaw Amateurs Pumas v WD&C U10 Harriers

There was nothing amateur about the opposition who were well organised and had a couple of real skill players. The Harriers pressed and everybody put a shift in – Vaughn was causing them some problems up front in the first half but it was the top to bottom defending that was really pleasing as bodies were flung in front of the ball and we closed in on the opposition. Max H had an inspired game between the sticks – contorting his body to make 3 crucial saves. The amateurs managed to score with a classy finish but there was no dropping of heads as we first stemmed the tide and then turned it in the last minute with a slotted finish from our own captain fantastic to even up the scores.

Goal scorers: Digby

PoM: Max H (GK)

WD&C U11 Kestrels v Hale Benfica

It’s been 370 long days since we last won a Timperley District Junior Football League fixture. 17 ‘L’s stacked up in a miserable row. How deserving then, for the boys that have always tried their hearts out during that time, to rack up a massive win today.
The Kestrels served up an absolute birthday feast for Jacob’s proxy-birthday and Nico’s mum’s actual-birthday and it was goals that were on the menu. The first was possibly the pick of the bunch, straight from the training ground. A ball from the back out wide to Fred on the wing, a sharp cross met by Elliot who was perfectly placed to nod home. 5 more goals came in the half, with strikes from Fred, Jude and a hat-trick from Benjamin hitting Hale for 6 at the break. At the other end, Nico watched untroubled, free to ponder whether there could be any finer gift to a mother than a trip to a sodden Hardy Farm.

Having been on the receiving end of many a shellacking, we tried to limit the inevitable victory margin with some changes at half time. Coach Hosford turning the formation on its head with Elliot at the back and Archie leading the line in his own unique “safety first” style. The opposition brought on two extra players but it made no difference. Lucas, Joe and William were all unlucky not to score themselves and Seain’s tackling and passing was the best we’ve seen. Jonny kept the sheet clean although – full disclosure – having been in Hale’s shoes too many times I was actually hoping for a goal! James added a 7th with a deft lob from outside the box, another from Benjamin and Archie adding the cherry to the birthday cake rounding the keeper and slotting home.

Finally a day for the boys to remember, when everyone played their part and some small reward for their considerable efforts. They all deserve huge credit for being “good winners” and not rubbing Hale’s noses in it – even though any over celebration would be readily excusable. Here’s to more days like today. The boys were quick to mention a distant promise about a McFlurry which we’ll try and make good this week. Happy Birthday.

PoM: Benjamin – 4 goals, controlled the game and continued to give huge encouragement after he was substituted.

WD&C U13 v Wythenshawe Amateur Panthers 2-4

West lost out in an exciting but bruising encounter with Wythenshawe Panthers.

Goals from Kenta and Isaac were not enough as the bigger and more physical opposition ground the home side down.

After a cagey opening, Wythenshawe dominated much of the first half creating a series of chances. The Wythenshawe No 20 was posing particular problems and he unleashed a ferocious half volley which struck the bar.
Then the ever-reliable Jacob came to the rescue as his last ditch challenge was enough to make the No20 scuff his shot straight at William as he bore down on goal.

At the other end West were finding chances hard to come by. George went on a run which took him from wide on the left right to the goal. It took the combined efforts of two Wythenshawe defenders and their goalkeeper to stop him.

But that was a rare opportunity for West and the Wythenshawe no 20 continued to cause havoc. Fortunately for West he didn’t have his shooting boots on, as he raced through the middle again but blazed his effort over the bar.
The relief from that let off was short-lived as Wythenshawe took the lead soon after. Again it was the No20 who did well down the left and pulled a dangerous ball across goal. William saved bravely from the onrushing attacker but the ball broke kindly to another Wythenshawe player who couldn’t miss.

Good goalkeeping from William – pushing one effort round the post – and the no 20’s profligacy in front of goal kept the score at 1-0 at half time.

After the referee’s half-time chat with the opposition about the amount of phlegm they were expelling (there is a pandemic you know!), the second half started with Wythenshawe still dominating.

And it was no surprise when they went further ahead – the only surprise was that the No20 had finally found his shooting boots. Again he showed strength and pace to break clear and this time he made no mistake.

But this seemed to finally spur West into life.

First Frankie hit the bar with a looping effort from outside the box, before West pulled a goal back. Great work by Frankie on the left saw his cross break to Kenta who made no mistake from close range.

West were rejuvenated and Kofi and Isaac were producing some lovely passing in midfield, while Billy and Zach were proving a formidable double act in trying to contain the No20. One such link up between Kofi and Isaac ended with Mark being released on the right edge of the box. He confidently moved forward and unleashed a fierce right foot shot that the Wythenshawe keeper did well to save.

West looked the more likely to score – but the Wythenshawe no20 was always the big threat. And against the run of play he was released through the middle and despite Ted setting off in hot pursuit he was never going to catch him. It was no surprise to see the net bulge for a 3-1 lead.

It quickly became 4-1 as Jacob’s unfortunate handball resulted in a penalty which was comfortably put away.

But there was still time for West to give the home supporters hope.

A brilliant run by Kenta out of midfield saw him play a neat one-two with Mark and race into the area only to be upended by a desperate challenge from the Wythenshawe defender. Isaac confidently put the resulting penalty away.

Two late free-kicks in threatening positions came to nothing though and Wythenshawe ran out worthy winners – even if they may not have got the points fair play or following COVID-19 guidance.

PoM: Lucas

Hale United v WD&C U15 Magpies 3-5

Pre match deliberations were left late as the green light for “Go” only came with 10 mins to spare before our due departure to the leafy mansions of Hale. The “Tinker men” of Magpie management planned a slight shift in formation to a diamond shape in midfield and hoped it would add that missing sparkle.

The game was nearly a non-starter as the awaiting pond in one penalty box was somehow overlooked in the alleged pitch inspection. Deemed safe, it was at least nailed on for some comedy at some point. Rumours that Jack asked for a life jacket were unfounded.

The pre match talk of increases intensity reaped immediate rewards as the Magpies flew into a 2 goal lead inside 6 minutes.
2 good team goals from neat wing play and measured passes from Charlie and Ioannis fed the previously goal starved hit man. The ruthless poacher rediscovered his goal scoring composure for an early brace.
The contest then settled as Hale grew into the game. They finished the half the stronger as a penalty (handball) and a followed in rebound saw the Magpies wings clipped.

A seething Kit trudged soggily from the pitch as he rued his ill fated comedic tumble that saw him fly up, twist horizontally and land flat on his back in the centre of the pen box pond. It was a high tariff manoeuvre, but i gave him a 9.7. HT 2-2.
The dousing of the Stretford Maldini seemed to stir up some resolve in our defensive lion as he (and all of the back four) headed, cleared and blocked everything thrown at him in the heat of battle.

Zeno provided the game’s (non comedic) moment of magic as he pinged a 40 yd free kick deliciously into the top corner. It was a timely goal that also put a cherry on top of his sweet performance.

Harvey gave us a little room to breathe with a calm take down in the box, and then slotted the ball into the corner. 2-4.

Another handball (Premier league style smashed from 3 yds at a defender) saw another converted penalty peg us back to 3-4 with 5 mins to go. Butts got squeaky.

Fortunately, a pacey break away goal from our own besieged box saw Zeno run most of the pitch before squaring to the Hitman for his 3rd right footed goal to snuff the life out of United.

After 3 defeats on the spin, it was a strong performance and a deserved win for all the improvements they are making as a team.

PoM: All Hale The Flying Fin. Great starting positions and smothered interceptions, key saves at key times, and a good mix of distribution.

Timperley Villa v WD&C U15 Lions 2-5

A confidence boosting 5-2 win for the Lions away against Timperley Villa after a tough but close loss in our last outing. The amount of balls that ended up the stream behind the goal pre-match didn’t bode well. But turns out this was well worked target practice putting the ball over the keepers head, as Jake G demonstrated from 30 yards in the 2nd half. Lions took an early lead and dominated from thereon in. Good passing and movement throughout the match, putting some great balls through for the front 3. Luke got a hatrick and Jake G a brace. Ben & Nuur unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after rattling the metalwork (both posts from one shot in Ben’s case) and their keeper kept out several other good chances. First win of the season, onwards and upwards!

U15 Badgers v Hale Utd St Etienne 6-0

Division 5

Scorers: Sam (4) Teddy (2)

PoM: Sam

WD&C U16 Phoenix v Wilmslow Sports Community Colts 2-2

As our players trudged off at full time with disappointment etched all over their faces it would have been difficult to conclude anything other than we’d been badly beaten.

This most definitely wasn’t the case…we’d been the dominant team, maintained our undefeated start to the season after 4 games and had gained a draw.

However, after our game last Sunday, against the same opposition (which ended as a 4-4 draw) where we’d fallen foul of some controversial refereeing (from one of their youth development players) we were desperate to put right this injustice !!!

We played with desire & skill and were by far & away the better team…we just couldn’t convert our many, many chances.

We hit the post and the bar, had a couple of one on one chances, peppered their goal with shots but just couldn’t quite score the weight of goals our play deserved.

I think overhearing their coach at the end telling his players “they may have had all the chances but it only takes one chance to score a goal” pretty much summed it up �

They had very few chances and scored 2 – We had lots & lots of chances but also only scored 2 !!

I think all our lads (& coaches) will feel like Wilmslow have burgled a couple of draws in these 2 encounters.

I’m confident if we continue to play with the same attacking intent the goals will definitely come. Sooner or later we’re going to give an opposition a proper pasting !!

Shooting & finishing practice at training required.

Some terrific performances…Paddy & Tom spring to mind but I think for a mature and committed display at the back

PoM: Sam

Goals: Harry & Hasnain

Div 2

WD&C U17 v Brooklands Dragons Cosmos 5-3

After 3 development division setting games in the youth League our first league game was an absolute cracker. Hardy Farm was looking sumptuous and we’ll drained after the heavy rain had led a sleepless night stressing about the 8am pitch inspection. No need to worry as the pitch was perfect and the perfect setting for a competitive and feisty but fair game between 2 teams who were 1&2 in their division last season. West took the early lead and then went 2-0 despite being under the kosh.

Then centre mid comes off with possibly broken nose from an errant elbow and it’s down to the bare 11 including a debutant. 2-0 became 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2 and at 4-3 brooklands upped the intensity levels and we looked like we would buckle and throw it away. But the boys regained their composure and pushed on to take the game 5-3 and go top of the league (well equal top of after 1 game!)

PoM: Dom

Scorers: Daniel, Ellis (2), Nicquille (2)