| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rob Bellingham |
Posted - 13/04/2008 : 00:56:44
Timperley and District Junior Football League
Division 2
April 6 2008
UNICORN WIZARDS 1 URMSTON MEADOWSIDE MANIACS 2
After winning their last fixture with two late goals, the Wizards proved they were capable of losing in the same manner when they capitulated in the last five minutes against a resolute Meds side.
The Wizards were on top in the early stages, with George finding the side netting after good play from Joe. Tom managed to beat the keeper after advancing into the box but saw the ball cleared after rolling across the face of the goal.
James D was again putting in a fine performance in defence and produced an important clearing header to prevent a goalscoring chance for the visitors.
Joe played a first class through ball which James O looked favourite to reach first, only for the keeper to smother the ball on the edge of the box. James was then extremely unlucky not to break the deadlock when he met Barney’s pin-point clearance first time to loop the ball over the head of the advancing keeper. The ball pitched a couple of yards in front of the goal line but instead of bouncing into the back of the net, it reared up and struck the crossbar.
Meds then came close to snatching the lead themselves when, following some skilful play in midfield, a low shot was powered goalwards. Barney dived full stretch and with a candidate for save of the season, tipped the ball around the post.
Providing a warning for what was to come later, Urmston came close from a corner when a header flashed narrowly wide of the post.
It was the Wizards who took the lead, when Simon claimed his first goal for his new team. Heeding his coaches advice to make an attacking run into the box, he found himself in a perfect position to drill home George’s cross from wide on the right.
A second Wizards goal almost came just before half time but Tom’s through ball was intercepted by the keeper, who again did well to advance quickly from his line.
Half Time – Wizards 1 Maniacs 0
The Wizards started the second half brightly, with all members of the team trying hard to put their opponents under pressure. However, it was Urmston who created the first opportunity, when Barney did well to hold on to a long range effort with Urmston attackers advancing in the hope of picking up any rebounds.
Felix then had two opportunities to add to the Wizards lead. The first was all his own work as he made an interception before shooting across the face of the goal. He then shot just wide from inside the box after some good build up play from Simon.
Urmston again went close to scoring from a corner with another header, this time going just over the bar. No-one in the Wizards team can say they hadn’t been warned.
Another chance for the Wizards to double their lead came when Tom played the ball across goal to find James O on the far post. James shot powerfully but saw the ball fly over the bar.
Ross had been trying to get amongst the Urmston defence throughout the second half and came close with a good turn and shot after James O and Tom had linked well to find him in the box.
As is so often the case at all levels of football, failure to capitalise on chances to add to a single goal lead can prove costly and so it proved again today. Urmston won a corner and the ball was played into the heart of the Wizards box. The ball bobbled around without being cleared before finding its way into the net at the far post.
Although there was very little time left on the clock, both teams created one more chance to win the game. It was the Wizards who had the first opportunity when George had a close range effort before Tom hit the rebound over the bar.
The decisive moment came at the other end after Barney drove a free kick into touch. Urmston took the throw quickly and advanced into the box to create a shooting opportunity. Barney produced a save which was the equal of his effort in the first half but this time, luck was against the Wizards as the ball fell to an Urmston striker who was able to put the ball into the empty net.
The Wizards had somehow managed to lose a game where victory had seemed the most likely outcome only minutes before the final whistle. To keep matters in perspective, this is the sort of thing that happens from time to time, (with the Wizards producing exactly the same feat to beat Communities in their last game), and shows that in this league, any team is capable of beating the other.
Today’s man of the match was George with a superb performance down the right hand side. A special mention goes to James D, who again put in an impressive showing and very well done to Simon for your first Wizards goal.
UNICORN WIZARDS 1 URMSTON MEADOWSIDE MANIACS 2
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