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Rob Bellingham
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
54 Posts |
 Posted - 09/09/2007 : 16:45:20
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Timperley and District Junior Football League
Under 11s Division 2
September 9 2007
COMMUNITIES UNITED 1 UNICORN WIZARDS 7
After a summer where the Wizards reached two semi-finals and a final in the three tournaments entered, today saw a return to league football. With the league enforcing a one team per club per division policy this season, the Wizards find themselves back in Division 2. The other big change this year is that we have moved up to nine-a-side with corresponding increases in the size of the pitch and goals. Games now consist of two halves of thirty minutes and the offside rule is now observed.
On the personnel front, today saw league debuts for Joe and Ross, who alongside Alex, make up the Wizards three pre-deadline signings.
Now onto the game itself. A bright morning had attracted a large contingent of travelling supporters to Handforth and the Wizards put on a performance to make the journey well worthwhile.
The first sign that the Wizards had the pace and experience to trouble the home defence came when Jake found Felix with a well directed throw in. Felix advanced on goal and after outpacing the last defender, saw his shot hit the outside of the post. George and Tom also created some early problems down the flanks, with dangerous runs and crosses.
Communities came close to taking an early lead when the ball broke loose in the Wizards box and a shot was blasted over the bar. The Wizards may have had cause to reflect on a couple of opportunities to clear the danger had the ball been a few inches lower.
A feature of today’s game was Joe’s incisive passing from central midfield, the first of which found George in space on the right. George used the time available to him to pick out his man and sent in a powerful cross which Tom got a head to but just couldn’t divert onto the target.
The breakthrough was not long in coming and again saw Joe and George combining. Joe slotted the ball through to find George in acres of space just inside the Communities half. After taking the ball to the edge of the box, George calmly slotted his shot into the bottom corner of the net to open the Wizards account for the season.
The following ten minutes or so saw the Wizards produce a period of high quality passing football which resulted in a further four goals being added to the lead. The second came when Felix made his coach a happy man by perfectly executing what they had been working on in training the previous week. After picking up the ball wide, he beat his man for pace and cut inside towards the penalty area. The ball ran loose to Tom who slotted in from close range.
The third goal again came as a result of using the full width of the large pitch. This time it was George’s cross which found Joe, whose touch left Ross with a straightforward opportunity to score his first league goal for the Wizards.
Moments later Ross turned provider when his through pass found George, who for the second time in the match finished well into the bottom corner.
The scoring for the half was completed when Ross crossed in and Tom met the ball sweetly on the half volley to leave the keeper with no chance.
Although probably wondering what had hit them, to their credit Communities kept playing football and almost pulled a goal back late in the half. Barney was quickly off his line and after a brave dive at the feet of the striker to take the pace off the ball, Jake completed the job with a goal line clearance.
The period ended with the Wizards supporters applauding a great team performance.
Half Time – Communities 0 Wizards 5
Whilst never quite reaching the exhilarating levels of the first half, the Wizards produced a workmanlike second period to ensure they remained in control of the game. With Communities continuing to battle hard, the early exchanges were hard fought without any clear cut opportunities being created.
The Wizards sixth came when Joe produced another fine pass to find George who this time floated the ball past the keeper and into the top corner to complete his hat-trick. If my memory serves me correctly, George’s last hat-trick came in the 05/06 season and earned him a pound of sausages from the local butcher. I’m not sure if the deal still stands but if it does, it could be bangers and mash all round next week at Chez Edmundson.
As a far more even half drew on, the Wizards produced their seventh and final goal of the game. George had a half chance but his effort looked to be running wide and out of danger. Felix, ever alert, recovered the loose ball and crossed in. Tom picked up the ball in the box and still with plenty to do, turned and shot for another excellent strike and to complete his own hat-trick.
With the game now won, the Wizards tried to add to their lead. Matt embarked upon a run from one end of the pitch to the other. It was clear that he had decided, “Whatever happens here, I ain’t passing”, and was tackled on the edge of the Communities box as a shot seemed likely.
Communities pulled back a well deserved consolation as the Wizards failed to clear a cross, with a strong finish from inside the box. They played some fine football and I am sure will achieve some good results in this division.
The final efforts came from the Wizards with Felix having an effort cleared off the line and George crossing well to the onrushing Joe and Felix, with I think Felix getting the final touch to head just over.
As well as the great goals and near misses described in today’s report, it’s worth mentioning the platform that the Wizards built to allow themselves the opportunity to play their flowing football. Well done to James D, who looked like he had been playing at right back for years, James O for holding up the ball and harrying the home defence when the scores were still level and the whole team for working when they didn’t have the ball as well as when they did.
Due to the excellent team performance, (or maybe the fact that I didn’t sort it out), the whole team were named as Men of the Match today.
COMMUNITIES UNITED 1 UNICORN WIZARDS 7
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Under 11 Wizards V Communities United Div 2
