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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
135 Posts |
 Posted - 17/12/2006 : 17:05:48
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What was it Alex Ferguson said? "Football, eh? B***** ****"! Just when you thought that you'd seen it all along comes a cup tie with a bit of everything.
Having played Flixton last week in the league and fought back well with 8 men to take draw a near full strength Metro's squad travelled to Flixton with high hopes.
The early exchanges suggested that these hopes were well founded with the Metro's attacking again and again, Kenny G continued where he had left off last week (before being hacked out of the game) tormenting the Flixton defence and rattling the post with a fierce shot.
The Metro's had changed their formation for this game, and it paid dividends when the extra possession finally paid off a Kenny rifled the team in to a one nil lead (0-1 Goram  )
Flixton were restricted to the odd break away but sound defending from Joe and Hussein kept them at bay and it was only a matter of time before Eddie weaved through the defence to fire a shot that the keeper could only parry and there was Kenny to double the advantage (0 - 2 Goram  )
Half time came and went, but for the first time in weeks changing ends did not mean shooting in to a gale!
The Metro's continued to dominate and the midweek shooting practice paid dividends as several players came close before Harry B finished from close range (the type of chance that last week went begging 0 - 3 Bolton  )
Flixton were restricted to a handful of half chances, although Luke did well to reach a goal bound effort and recover in time to pounce on the loose ball.
The was surely no way back now for a Flixton team who were beginning to look short of ideas.
They pushed their powerful centre-half in to midfield, and the Metro's old habit of standing off allowing him to strike a long range effort over Luke's head and in to the net. (1-3  )
The pendulum began to swing, and a combination of complacency and tiredness allowed Flixton to score a second. (2-3  )
With the Metro's now restricted to the odd break away there were few chances to seal the win, although Shaun came close with a good first time strike, and Kenny continued to create openings.
Despite this Flixton had smelt blood, and they continued to press and it was no surprise when the equalised with minutes to go although Hussein took a kick in the face in the build up that most referees would have penalised. (3-3  )
Extra time came with Flixton growing in confidence but the Metro's dug deep and Ben was on hand to finish off a cross from the right(3-4 Feeley  )
One goal leads are never enough ( nor are three sometimes!) but in the second half Kenny rounded off a great mornings work with the team's fifth and his third of the game (3 - 5  )
This time there was to be no comeback as the Metros regained control and held on for a breathless, deserved but anxious win!
Matty G had superb game in midfield, Shaun was always busy and Ben his usual dependable self.
A real team performance and deservedly through in to the quarter-finals. The Metro's have now only lost once in the cup in three years.
No training this week, but Boxing Day brings the Lads v Dad's game - and a chance for the team to show if they really have learnt to finish!
A very Happy Christmas to all the team, to all the parents and of course to Chris and Keith the two coaches,, and on behalf of the all the Metro's a very Happy Christmas to all the Unicorn teams.
Rob
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Edited by - Rob Smallwood on 21/12/2006 12:32:24 |
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U11 Flixton Juniors v Metros (Cup) 17th Dec 2006
Posted - 19/12/2006 : 08:34:37