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Rob Bellingham
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
 Posted - 17/02/2007 : 00:02:22
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Timperley and District Junior Football League
Under 10s Division 1
February 3 2007
FLETCHER MOSS C 1 UNICORN WIZARDS 1
It would be untrue to suggest that the reason this report is so late is due to it taking me two weeks to regain my composure after the Wizards finally brought to an end a run of 13 consecutive league and cup defeats. This was a well deserved result for the team, representing a reward for some much improved performances over recent weeks.
The game could not have started any better for the visitors when James O did well to find Felix in space. Felix calmly took the ball to the edge of the box before producing a decisive finish which left the keeper with no chance.
The early goal put an extra spring into the step of all the Wizards players and after a Fletcher Moss free kick which was fired over the bar, they launched a period of sustained pressure. The large pitch suited Felix down to the ground and he was featuring in most of the attacking play. One of his passes found Tom, who produced a good cross and later latched onto Matt’s free kick to create further uncertainly in the home defence.
Matt played a great ball to Patrick in the last action of the first period, with Patrick again looking to cover as much ground as possible over the course of the match.
The whistle blew for the end of the period with the Wizards good value for their narrow lead.
End of first period – Fletcher Moss 0 Wizards 1
If anything, the Wizards performance in the second period was even better than in the first and on reflection, this may have presented the best opportunity to add to the lead and seal the three points. The period started with an excellent move involving Patrick, Tom and James D. Patrick then found George, whose cross was headed just wide by Felix.
Every Wizards player was wanting a piece of the action now, with Tom finding Felix, who this time tested the keeper with his effort. Jake set off on a strong run followed by an accurate pass, with Pat then finding Tom who shot narrowly wide.
James D linked up with Patrick and George, forcing the Fletcher Moss defence to concede a corner and Felix had a shot well saved. Perhaps the best opportunity of the period came from a scramble in the box following a corner. A goal looked a distinct possibility but Fletcher Moss managed to make a vital clearance meaning that they went into the final period just a single goal down.
End of second period – Fletcher Moss 0 Wizards 1
The Wizards kicked off in the final period and it is worth noting that they produced their best opening play of the season so far. We have seen the team put themselves under pressure from the restart on so many occasions this year but this time, they were able to launch a penetrating move deep into Fletcher Moss territory.
The Wizards continued to try to add to their slender lead with Tom finding James O, who made a good run into the penalty area and shot just wide.
Barney was on his toes at the other end and made a tricky gather look deceptively easy as danger lurked. George had a fine effort over the bar but then Fletcher Moss mounted an attack of their own, resulting in an equalising goal which this (slightly biased) observer would say was narrowly against the run of play.
Having led for over half an hour of football, the Wizards now found themselves at risk of leaving empty handed as Fletcher realised that they might be in with a chance of completing the smash and grab raid.
The Wizards created one last chance of their own to regain the lead when James O and Pat created an opening for Tom which he narrowly failed to convert.
It was hearts in the mouths time for the last few moments, with a late Fletcher Moss penalty appeal not granted by the referee. We think that Barney may just have reached the ball before making contact with the onrushing attacker, so it looks like a reasonable call from the match official. With the very last action of the game, Fletcher did manage to get the ball past Barney but Matt was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
The Wizards had brought their run of defeats to an end and should be delighted with a hard won away point.
This weeks Man of the Match was Felix who gave us a taster of what we can hope for next season on the bigger pitches.
FLETCHER MOSS C 1 UNICORN WIZARDS 1
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Under 10 Wizards v Fletcher Moss C 3 February
