| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rob Bellingham |
Posted - 08/03/2008 : 23:45:19
Timperley and District Junior Football League
Division 2
March 2nd 2008
UNICORN WIZARDS 3 OLD STRETFORDIANS 1
On an extremely windy morning, the Wizards resumed their campaign with a victory that at one stage looked likely to be far more comfortable than eventually proved to be the case.
The first chance of the morning fell to the visitors when Barney seemed happy that a long range effort was going harmlessly wide. To everyone’s surprise, most of all Barney’s, the ball seemed to curl in the air and thudded against the post before bouncing to safety.
For the Wizards, George proved dangerous on the right wing throughout, first earning a corner after a fine run and then creating an opportunity for James O, whose half volley flew wide.
The Wizards took the lead with a move which covered the length of the pitch. Matt won the ball in defence and cleared down the line. George picked up the ball and crossed in for James O, who took the ball on before shooting low into the net.
The wind was extremely strong at this stage, making playing conditions difficult, but to the credit of both teams they continued to do their best to play good football. Joe and Tom were doing particularly well in the middle of the park during this phase of play, working well as a unit and winning a lot of fifty fifty balls.
Working from this strong midfield platform, the Wizards soon doubled their lead. The coach instructed Alex to go forward for a corner, (I have been asked to ensure that this important fact is included in the report), and with the keeper only able to parry George’s corner, Alex expertly controlled the ball and drilled it into the net. This was a well deserved first Wizards goal for Alex who has come close in previous weeks and I am told, an astute piece of tactical awareness from the coach, (no prizes for guessing who I was told this by).
The home team looked as if they may add to their lead before half time when James O flashed a shot across the face of the goal and George went close with a free kick.
A reminder that the game was not yet won came when Matt and Barney only half cleared a through ball and Jake did very well to make a last gasp clearance with the ball heading goalwards.
A third Wizards goal seemed certain when Joe set up an opportunity which saw the Stretfordians defenders block three shots in succession including one goal-line clearance.
Jake then was called back into the action with an important saving tackle, with Barney then saving extremely well following a Stretfordians corner.
The last chance of the half fell to the Wizards when James D found George, who beat two men before seeing his shot blocked by the keeper.
Half Time – Wizards 2 Stretfordians 0
The Wizards almost added to their lead immediately at the start of the second half when George played a through ball to Tom as he advanced into the penalty area. Tom did everything but score as the Stretfordians defence somehow managed to scramble the ball off the line.
Moments later, Tom had another effort cleared off the line, this time from George’s corner. With George again doing well on the wing, another Wizards goal looked increasingly likely and eventually came from a fine piece of individual play from Joe.
Joe picked up the ball about 25 yards from goal and with two Wizards players standing in offside positions, had the presence of mind to realise that a solo run was his only option. Joe’s run took him past two defenders, into the box and was capped off with a superb finish low into the corner of the net.
At 3 – 0 it looked like it was going to be a comfortable day at the office for the Wizards and if anything, they looked set to add to their lead. However, to Stretfordians credit, they refused to lie down and enjoyed their best spell of the match.
Their efforts were rewarded when they won a penalty which was duly despatched to make the score 3 – 1.
After George had another shot well saved by the visitor’s keeper, Stretfordians created another scoring chance with Barney again making an excellent save. This was an important intervention for the Wizards as if the score had been pulled back to 3 – 2 at this stage, it would have most definitely been “game on”.
This was the closest Stretfordians came to further reducing the lead and the final whistle went with the Wizards pleased to hold on to a hard fought win.
Today’s man of the match award had a number of strong candidates with the winner being Jake for a fine display, possibly his best of the season so far.
UNICORN WIZARDS 3 OLD STRETFORDIANS 1
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| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MIKEWIL |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 23:11:33
EVENING ROB OR MORNING ,WHENEVER U RECIEVE THIS. JUST GETING IN TOUCH SO U WOULD HAVE MY NEW EMAIL . THANKS MIKE WILSON PS LYNN HAS BEEN RAVING ABOUT MATTS GOAL SHE SAID IT REMINDS HER OF A GOAL I ONCE SCORED |
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