| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rob Bellingham |
Posted - 09/02/2008 : 13:41:35
Timperley and District Junior Football League
Division 2
February 3 2008
ASHTON ON MERSEY BRONCOS 2 UNICORN WIZARDS 2
In a finish almost identical to Manchester United’s at Tottenham on the previous day, the Wizards snatched an injury time equaliser to gain a point when defeat seemed certain.
This was the Wizards first visit to Ashton on Mersey’s impressive setup and after a hard fought home draw a few weeks ago, a tough game was anticipated.
It was Ashton who created the first clear cut chance of the game when Barney did well to get off his line quickly and save at the feet of the onrushing striker.
At the other end George did well to beat his man and picked out Ross, who had his shot well blocked by the defender. Tom then created an opportunity with a through ball which the keeper managed to get to inches ahead of Ross.
The next move probably summed up the Wizards afternoon perfectly. Felix started it with a superb ball out to Tom, who returned the complement with an accurate cross to Felix who had advanced menacingly into the box. When a goal looked certain, the ball must have hit that uneven piece of turf which sometimes follows the Wizards around, and Felix executed a textbook air shot with the ball rolling away to safety. This was a move deserving of a goal and like the Arsenal side of a few seasons ago, the Wizards are playing some picture book football at times without always being able to convert it into goals.
George was unlucky moments later after Matt found him wide on the right. He shot across the keeper but also narrowly wide of the post.
As so often happens after one team has exerted most of the pressure but has been unable to score, the opposition made it to the other end of the pitch and took the lead. The ball was played into the Wizards box and Barney did well to make two good saves, after both of which the ball remained in the danger zone. With the Unicorn players dropping deeper and deeper until there was almost a defensive wall forming near the goal line, the third Ashton shot took a deflection and squirted into the bottom corner.
To the Wizards credit, they regrouped and equalised almost immediately. This time it was route one stuff, with Barney launching a long clearance to the right wing which found George in some space. After running clear of the pursuing defenders George hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which eluded the keepers grasp and nestled in the back of the net to deservedly restore parity.
Half Time – Broncos 1 Wizards 1
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Wizards creating lots of chances but being unable to capitalise with some goals. Adopting the tactic of sending the “big” defenders up for corners almost paid immediate dividends when Matt picked up a half cleared corner and saw a rare left footed effort fly just wide of the top corner. Ross was next to go close when he intercepted a goal kick and shot goalwards. The home keeper recovered the situation by saving well.
James O created an opportunity for Tom after winning the ball in midfield but Tom’s effort was just wide of the target. Alex almost scored from a corner after a powerful header which must only have been inches away from finding the net.
At the risk of repeating the story from the first half, after enjoying all the possession, it was the Wizards who fell behind for the second time. Ashton made a rare breakaway and after a scramble in the Wizards box, the finish was applied from close range to put the home team 2 – 1 up.
This looked like it could prove to be the decisive score with the Broncos growing in confidence and the Wizards play, for the first time, beginning to look a bit ragged.
When Joe hit the bar with a dipping long range effort it seemed that this definitely wasn’t going to be the Wizards day.
However, to their credit, the Wizards refused to lie down and with the referee taking the proverbial long look at his watch, Matt picked up a loose ball on the halfway line. He embarked on a long, purposeful looking run down the right wing but then appeared to have mi**** his cross which looped skywards. However, as if drawn by a magnet, the ball honed in on goal and appeared to make contact with a combination of the crossbar and the home goalkeeper before bouncing invitingly a yard or so in front of an empty net. Ross was on hand to bundle the ball over the line to clinch an unlikely draw.
There was literally only just time for the restart before the final whistle blew.
The Wizards can take a lot of positives from this game, particularly the commitment to play right to the final whistle and the quality of some of the football during the first three-quarters of the game. If this pressure and possession can be converted to goals in future games, then the tension levels on the touchline should be kept to manageable proportions.
Man of the Match today went to Barney for the latest in a series of commanding displays between the posts.
ASHTON ON MERSEY BRONCOS 2 UNCORN WIZARDS 2
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