Round 2 of the season saw a busy schedule that had Eric the Coffee guy roasting his beans in anticipation.

WD&C U10 Harriers v Egerton panthers 7-6

The Harriers scoffed when they were told that the opposition only won one match last year - and the contempt seemed justified as we quickly scored 4 goals. With an easy win in sight we lent them a player and things quickly changed as Tyler showed just how influential he is as he helped the panthers crawl back by half time to 4-3. Tyler came back into the fold for the second half but something had changed - the panthers had newfound confidence and they gave us a real game of it - exploiting the space created as the Harriers committed bodies forward. But in the end the whistle blew and spared any blushes. Goals for Tyler (3) Tai (2) Olly (1) and Vaughn. Man of the match goes to Luke - he saved us at the back several times with his astute positional play slowing the opposition down just enough for us to scramble back. A high stakes game made for addictive viewing.

Timperley Dynamo v WD&C Hawks u10s 4-1

With only seven players and missing players who’d scored seven goals between them last week this was a marvellous opportunity for a “magnificent seven” themed match day. But Hawks lost their unbeaten away record in balmy Timperley, suffering their first defeat since March.

The sun shone and the playing surface was immaculate on the outfield of Timperley Cricket Club as  Hawks dominated the first half.  Dynamo were stumped as shots whistled just wide and smacked against the post.  We were comfortable at the back as Hawks controlled the game.

Our rotating keepers were mere spectators, topping up their sun tans, until, out of the blue, Dynamo scored with their first shot on the stroke of half time. A brilliant run down the flank by Timperley’s outstanding player created a simple chance, well taken.

Faces got redder, the sun rose in the sky and the pace slowed a little in the second half. Dynamo took control adding a second.

Hawks made some tactical changes that had an immediate impact. Dynamo made it three and then four-nil.  Mars Bar Man of the Match RNH’s good work was rewarded when he found the net with a fierce drive. Hawks were on the front foot but Dynamo were tight at the back.

It was a good run out for the magnificent seven who didn’t stop and gave it all they got.  Timperley, contrary to legendary local pop sensation Frank Sidebottom, do not wear big shots. You know they don’t, they really don’t.

WD&C U11 Kestrels v Wilmslow U11 Colts

Kestrels stepped out at Hardy Farm this weekend ready to take on Wilmslow U11 Colts in the glorious sunshine. Colts were strong and Kestrels were fighting against a well drilled team but we saw some beautiful football moments from our boys, with both 7-EP and 6-LH having early attempts at goal, and some precise passing from 10-WM, 7- EP and 6-LH pushing play forwards. Strong tackling down the right from 3-NB and the ones who slipped through were met by 4-AH, 2-JBP and 11-JM who were working together at the back to hold off the Colts. Our extra players were our spectators today who were rallying the boys on and alerting them with shouts such as “man on” as the game progressed. We had glimpses of great football in the second half and we saw two goals, we didn't have to wait too long for the first, with 6-LH weaving his way through the Colts and firing the ball into the net. Our second goal came from 7-EP, with a mention to 9-JP for the assist!

POM goes to 6-LH for his respectful attitude towards his teammates and for his beautiful goal.

Stretford Victoria Albion v U11 Eagles 5-8

Good game, ran out of legs at end chasing the game and no subs today. Wonderful free kick from BBD and good chances throughout. Battled well and draw would have been fairer reflection.

Scorers: FH (2), NM (2), BB-D

PoM: YW

AFC Urmston Meadowside u13s Ajax v U13s AWAY 1-0

POTM - Jacob W

West u13s slipped to a 1-0 defeat in a tight battle against a strong Urmston Meadowside team.

The match was settled by a first half fluke as an intended cross (no arguments, it wasn’t a shot) sailed over Alfie’s head and into the far corner of the net.

Urmston are on a long winning run and it was obvious why as they quickly settled into nice passing routines, with everyone looking comfortable on the ball. They almost took an early lead as some pinball in the box saw two attempted overhead kicks with the bounce deceiving Alfie but going wide.

West were struggling to get any attacks going and were limited to half chances. One came from the usual lung-busting run from Kenta down the wing and his cross eventually found Ted, but his shot was blocked.

Urmston's good football then produced a deserved goal with good wing play resulting in the cross that Alfie could do nothing about.

Urmston almost doubled their lead minutes later. Alfie bravely saved at the feet of an onrushing attacker, but the ball broke back to him and he pulled it across goal to his fellow striker. But he ballooned his effort over the bar with the goal gaping.

Billy and Zack gave encouraging displays in midfield, battling to win the ball back alongside Isaac and Kofi and set up attacks, while Jacob W was proving the usual defensive rock putting in some great tackles.

And it was one of Jacob’s long clearances that created West’s best chance of the first half. The ball sailed over the Urmston defence with George first to react, but his first time shot went wide.

Then we had an unexpected break in the match as a dog appeared on the pitch to have a poo. Either side of the break Urmston could have increased their lead. First a piledriver from outside the box hit the bar and then Alfie produced a great flying save to deny another chance.

The second half remained tight with West defending resolutely. But chances were starting to appear for West. Isaac sent a free kick over the wall but straight into the arms of the keeper, then William swivelled well in the box only for the keeper to save his effort.

Some dubious offside decisions denied Urmston further chances and Alfie also saved well to prevent an own goal from a corner, before William had two late half chances to bring West level.

First great work by Ted on the wing resulted in a dangerous cross across goal which William just failed to connect properly with. And then a great through ball released William but the alert Urmston keeper just managed to beat him to the ball.

Good effort by all the players against strong opponents.

Under 14s Falcons v Timp Villa

Falcons kicked off their first game in div 1 v  Timp Villa diamonds who were undefeated last season.The opposition were literally at our gates…to the carpark just after 9.a full 55 mins warm up ensued for them.They were clearly a very good footballing side..and put 6 past their opponents by half time in their opening game…But we had a plan and despite going behind to a well offside through ball on 15 minutes we grew into the game and Iwan equalised with an outrageous long shot from an angle and we came in 1-1.. Their keeper handled outside the box at end of first half and took out our striker on edge of box in last minute of second half so he could have been sent off twice. We dozed for 5 minutes early second half and conceded a flukey own goal off the head of Morgan defending a free kick.. but once again we were fluent going forward and resolute at the back..we got it back to 3-2 from a smart shot off a corner and deserved a draw in last minute when Sam was tripped as he went round the keeper..Timperley were good but our team gave our socially distanced parents plenty to be proud of.

WD&C U15 Magpies v Timperley Devils

Early season optimism was replaced by uncertainty as we took on an opposition relegated from Div 2, and not faced for a few seasons. Would it be a case of better the Devil you know?

With the late summer rays of sunshine warming the distanced crowd and sunglass clad coaches on the touchlines, it was more like Club Tropicana than a soggy Hardy Farm.

The Young Guns of West picked up from last week and settled the sooner as they slickly passed and moved their way around the pitch. Tyler was at the heartbeat of many a move and deservedly broke the deadlock with a characteristic bullocking run and powerful shot in to the bottom corner. 1-0.

Their midfield battleships started to win the 50:50 decisions and cunningly made us look like the bad boys of the day. The tally of cheap fouls and frustration mounted as they used the strong breeze and gifted field position to score two long range efforts over our helpless keeper. 1-2. A well worked move down the flank and an alert finishing made it 3 in 10 mins as our defensive shape gifted them too much freedom.

We held out til HT at 1-3.

The second half was tight with plenty of action to keep the watching fans on the edge of their 2 metre patch of grass.

One too many careless whispers saw us lose a key midfield man, politely removed by the brains trust. A testy collective of ternagers gave the ref everything she wanted to hear and talk themselves into trouble. Lessons need to be learned.

The Magpie management of Ridgely and Michael gambled with the formation for the last 10 mins and it soon paid off when Josh neatly volleyed home from his advanced midfield position.  Come on! Were Michael and co on the edge of heaven?

Alas, the final 5 mins of banging on the door couldn't quite find the equalizer. We finished well, but just couldn't do it right..

Final score 2-3

Goals: Tyler and Josh

Potm: Sonny for all round energy, positional play, timely tackles and goal line clearances.

Wham. The return to earth came soon enough.

U15 Lions v Wilmslow Sports Club.

Where do i start? Firstly, ridiculously  excited about pitting wits against ex England capt David Platt and secondly having a full squad for first time, which didn't happen as IM reported ill and DG didn't turn up. We lost 8-3 and while they were the better team we had a number of moments. Have to say some strange reffing from said Mr Platt did us no favours.

We were off the pace for some reason and without IM protecting defence we were prone to counters. We played well in patches particularly first and last 20min periods when we could have scored more. But we lost the game in midfield. Goals from LE and a beauty from JG added to own goal after good work from AM.

Applause for boys with lessons learned on the pitch and will take positives into training and games.