| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rob Bellingham |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 23:23:59
Timperley and District Junior Football League
Under 10s Division 1
December 2 2006
UNICORN WIZARDS 0 WILMSLOW SPORTS 9
I’ve gone for more of a summary of events in this weeks report as I’m not sure how much appetite there would be for a blow by blow account of Saturday’s game. However, for any of the players reading this, please note the following points:-
o Don’t let any of your parents, grandparents or other supporters try to tell you that they’ve never been in a team that lost 9 – 0 (or more) ! It happens to everyone at some point and its part of learning what football is all about
o You don’t miss out on any more points for losing 9 – 0 than you do for losing 1 – 0 from a lucky goal in injury time. The important thing is how you respond in the next game and from the performance in the last two periods on Saturday, we know that the team’s spirit and effort is undimmed.
Anyway, on to the match itself. The first thing to do is to acknowledge the performance of our old rivals, Wilmslow. In my view, they are comfortably the best team we have played over the last two seasons and produced a performance on Saturday which was excellent in all departments. Skill, strength, passing and finishing were all on display in abundance, setting a standard for us to aspire to.
The game started reasonably evenly, with early Wilmslow pressure not creating any clear cut chances and Patrick getting straight into the groove with a tremendous pass.
However, Wilmslow quickly pounced on a loose ball deep in the Wizards half and made no mistake to go 1 – 0 up. The only point of (hopefully constructive) criticism I would offer, surrounds the rest of the first period of play. The Wilmslow goal appeared to deflate the Wizards and for about 10 minutes it was like watching year sixes playing against year threes. Wilmslow completely dominated the rest of the period and notched 5 further unanswered goals to make it 6 – 0 at the interval.
I only make this point as the Wizards proved over the next two periods that they can compete against this tremendous Wilmslow team. A score of 1 or 2 – 0 at the interval would have left a door open but unfortunately 6 – 0 meant that the game was already out of reach.
End of first period – Wizards 0 Wilmslow 6
After that uncharacteristic note of criticism above, I can only say that what followed for the rest of the game was extremely positive. Having been second to the ball throughout the first period, the Wizards started to win tackles, string some passes together and started to make a game of it.
James O had come on at the interval and immediately put the visitors defence under pressure. He swung in a dangerous looking corner which flashed across the box but was scrambled clear by the Wilmslow defence. Patrick played another great ball to set Felix off on a run and suddenly, the Wizards looked like the team we know they can be.
Late on in a very even period, Wilmslow won the ball in midfield and broke through to make it 7 – 0. It was perhaps a little harsh on the home team but nevertheless, this was a very encouraging 15 minutes, given what had gone before.
End of second period – Wizards 0 Wilmslow 7
The third period was played in similar vein to the second with the Wizards showing a great deal of pride and determination to keep fighting right to the final whistle.
Harry put in a great defensive header and Tom, who had moved up front, had a great run and shot which the keeper saved. Seconds later, Tom intercepted a clearance and was inches away from scoring what would have been a well deserved Wizards consolation.
With Wilmslow always dangerous, they again broke through for another goal to further add to their lead. The Wizards still did not give up and Tom set off on another run, which this time ended with a tackle in the box.
With the game coming to a close, Wilmslow added another to complete the mornings scoring and the Wizards heaviest defeat. Given the events of the first period, the Wizards had done extremely well to keep the score to single figures and the players should take pride in their spirit, commitment and refusal to lie down under tremendous pressure.
For the second game running, the Man of the Match award went to James O for another fine performance up front. There were also nominations for Patrick, Harry, Tom and James D.
With a further example of the team spirit that binds the Wizards together, a number of the players attended the Altrincham v Burton Albion game on Saturday afternoon. Unicorn Athletic were the guest junior club at this match and there was a good turn out from a number of teams. For the record, Alty lost 3 – 2.
The good news is that the weekend ended on a positive note as the Wizards triumphed 2 – 1 in a Sunday friendly with Brooklands Dragons. Matt and Felix were the Wizards scorers in a game that will be remembered for the fierce wind that blew throughout, (and no, I’m not referring to the curry I had on Saturday night).
UNICORN WIZARDS 0 WILMSLOW SPORTS 9
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