WD&C U9 Orcas v Altrincham FC Juniors U9 Griffins
A resplendent Hardy Farm played host to a fun clash on Saturday morning. Little sign of lockdown lethargy or rustiness (except our linesman who was well off the pace). The boys were at it from the start, closing down the Griffins and producing some silky, pacey counter attacks. After some quality finishing from each side we snuck a goal in just before half time to deservedly lead 3-2. In the second half though, stamina perhaps became an issue. Our form only dropped slightly but we didn’t take our chances, they did and got the win. Plenty of positives to take from the performance so the boys should be confident going into the cup game next weekend.
PoM: Seth, with a well taken hat trick (all assisted by Teddy from the right wing). Sorely missed while off injured but came back strong.
WD&C U10 Hawks v Altrincham U10 Warriors
After a three month break, Hawks played some good football but lost out to a cruel late winner. Hardy Farm looked a picture as Hawks returned to action employing a player-led innovative 3-2-1 formation. Hawks dominated early on and scored a close range tap in for a deserved lead. Only heroics from the Warriors keeper kept the score down. In a game of two halves, Warriors went 4-1 up albeit helped by an own-goal and a deflection. But Hawks rediscovered their old never-say-die spirit and dragged it back to 4-4. But, as the ref got ready to blow for full time, a long range shot from the Warriors slithered into the net. And the final whistle blew.
Easter Cream Egg PoM: Reuben.
Ashton on Mersey U10 Jackals v WD&C U10 Harriers
A cracking restart for the Harriers. They went one up inside five minutes from fox in the box Lucas. Olly was influential in a wing back role – the defence leaked 4 when he was off the pitch. His reintroduction was a shot in the arm for the team but especially for Jacob who found himself with a hatrick after being fed a couple of peachy passes from Lucas. Max H who came out of goal for the second half also got a cameo goal. But in the final seconds Ashton’s throw specialist arced a ball across the area which was bundled home to even things up. A fair result overall.
PoM: Jacob.
WD&C U11 Kestrels v Egerton U11 Lions
“Lions Tamed by Soaring Kestrels”
Return of U11 football at Hardy Farm saw Kestrels romp home with a magnificent victory against a feisty Lions team.
The squad was depleted with the absence of our Oswald road contingent who frustratingly had to sit this one out due to bubble trouble. Many of those who were available lined up slightly taller than their last outing – clearly they had sprouts for Christmas.
The first half scoring was like a tennis match with Kestrels and Lions trading blows to put us in a 3-2 lead. JC scored a belter from outside the area having previously gone close with a thwack from the half way line. Pick of the bunch was a neat passing move out wide (a positive lateral flow to our play?) a cross by WMc and a sumptuous cushioned side-foot volley by EP.
Second half saw JP come out of goal and take the game away from the Lions, helping himself to a brace along the way. EP grabbed 4 including a picture book strike from an angle: the ball stayed a foot above the ground, across the keeper and inside the far post. The wounded Lions started putting the foot in a bit more as their heads dropped but the Kestrels all stuck up for each other. A great team effort all round as we look forward to the cup next week!
PoM: JP. Tough shout as they all played well but JP was assured in sticks in the first half and dominated the second.
WD&C U15 Lions
Lovely day, pristine pitch and new equipment greeted our first game back, ending in a hard fought 2-1 victory. Goals from Luke and Abdul. Understandably a sometimes scrappy game as both teams found muscles they haven’t used for some time, occasionally interspersed with some good passing meant an always exciting game for the packed crowd. Our defenders were excellent especially dealing with high balls and in the closing moments we were indebted to Ollie for some fine keeping. Lockdown training clearly paying off. Well done to all and special mention for Rafi on his debut.
Timperley Villa U16 Lightning v WD&C U16 0-5
After such a long time off this was a performance which was very welcome. One thing which hasn’t changed though was our customary slow start. It took a good 20 mins to blow away the cobwebs and slowly start to gain control. Individual performances were mixed, but in a tribute to any decent team effort there were enough good performances to gel the team together to come through with an excellent result.
A solid 2-0 half time lead provided the foundation for us to kick on in the 2nd half and really up the ante with some excellent football.
PoM Harry formed a dominant pairing with Charlie in centre midfield, with Helal and Hasnain up front causing Timperley constant problems.
All in all a creditable effort first game back �
Goals : Harry (2) Helal (2) Hasnain (1)
WD&C U17 v Altrincham Tornadoes U18 7-4
Fantastic to be on the field at Hardy Farm after 3 long dark months with no football. With no fixture scheduled for this first weekend U17 played a friendly against Alty Juniors Tornadoes U18 from our division with the chance to shake off the cobwebs before the league games start in earnest next weekend. Playing a new caution-to-the-wind Bielsa-ball 3-4-3 formation the U17s burst into a 2-0 lead in 15 minutes as the three forwards combined well and the management team congratulated themselves for their astute footballing insight.
Unfortunately old frailties against the dead ball resurfaced and West were soon 4-3 down due an inability to defend the set piece or clear their lines. However, the team reasserted themselves and started playing the ball to their colleagues again, found the extra man created by playing three up top and four more goals flowed as West asserted full control. 7-4 final score and a great preparation for next week.
