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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
150 Posts |
 Posted - 21/09/2008 : 16:55:40
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The pre-match team talk today revolved around starting today's game the way that the lads finished the game last week - so in true Metro's style then did just the opposite, allowing Altrincham to take a two goal lead.
The first came when Luke failed to keep hold of a well-timed smother and the Altrincham forward reacted quicker than the Metros defence to lift the ball in to an unguarded net. (0 - 1  )
At the other end Harry was unlucky to be ruled off side, but soon the Metros were two down when Altrincham broke and the striker rounded Luke and coolly slotted the ball in - a well-taken goal. (0 - 2  ).
This finally woke the Metros up and they started to play better, winning the ball and playing some good passing football.
Alex pulled a goal back, pouncing a loose ball in the box to fire past the Altrincham keeper. The goal came from a corner, justifying Chris's hard work with the squad on Thursday. (1 - 2  )
This is where your roving reporter is struggling a little, but after consultation I'm pretty sure that Harry got the equaliser, running on to an excellent through ball from Calum to finish well from an angle. (2 - 2  )
What the Metros really needed to do now was keep things tight to half time having fought their way back in to the game, but Liam had other ideas, and when the ball broke to him after good work from Calum again he powered a superb drive from distance over the Altrincham keeper to give the Metros an unlikely half time lead - unlikely but no more or less than they deserved. (3 - 2  )
The second half was a tighter affair. The Metros looked dangerous, but one of the Altrincham centre halves was having an excellent afternoon, being in the right place at the right time and getting a head or foot to several dangerous looking through balls.
At the other end, Altrincham looked most dangerous from set pieces - and in particular corners -where they repeatedly caught the Metros napping with quickly taken short corners, alternated with some good crossing. It was no surprise, but a great disappointment after all Thursdays’ practice, that the Metros conceded an equaliser from a corner, a well-taken header with defenders napping I'm afraid. (3 - 3  )
This was now a real test of character for the lads. Having 4 subs (5 for the second half) helped on what was a very warm sunny afternoon.
Altrincham continued to look dangerous but it was the Metros that drew next blood, Calum again supplying the pass for Liam to run on to, outstripping the defence before driving the ball confidently past the keeper. An accomplished finish. (4 - 3 )
Altrincham pressed and pressed, forcing a succession of corners late on, but the Metros refused to yield, holding out for a well-deserved victory.  .
All credit to Altrincham, and playing them again next week at their ground will be a really tough test for the Metros, but they should take some confidence in to that game from a second consecutive team performance, and team performance it was, every member of the squad played their part again today.
Man of The Match - Liam would be justified in thinking that he might have sneaked this one, scoring the winner and probably goal of the game, but I think he was just pipped by Calum would worked really hard in midfield, and more than that, used the ball excellently.
Champagne Moment - Liam's first goal gets my vote, we simply aren't used to scoring from distance, and it was a great strike.
Referee - a good performance from a young lad justifying his 8/10 marking.
Squad - Luke, Patrick, Jonny, Hash, Robbie, Calum, Mattie, Simon, Oliver, Harry, Alex, Sammy, Liam, Tom, Joe & Conor.
Training - Thursday at 6:00 at Smith's Field.
Next game - Sunday at Altrincham FC Juniors - I think at Hale Croft Park, Hale Road - I will confirm when I know - it will be a morning kick-off.
After the game we finally got around to handing out trophies to last year's squads - along with awards to Jonny (Parent's Player of the Year), Hash (Manager's Player of the Year) and Luke (Player's Player of the Year), congratulations to all three on well deserved recognition of strong displays in last years very difficult relegation season.
Rob
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Edited by - Rob Smallwood on 22/09/2008 09:58:56 |
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calum
Unicorn Bronze Reporter
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2008 : 18:17:54
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Hia everyone,
Just like to say I thought that we played a great game against Alty juniors. If we carry on playing as finely tuned as that then were going to have a great season. Also Liam. WOW. It was a great goal. I can't remember the last time we scored from a good distance away. Also Luke played really well in net keeping some of their better chances out.
Congratulations to Jonny, Hash and Luke on their extra trophies. You deserved them.
CALUM. |
Edited by - calum on 21/09/2008 18:18:55 |
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Nick Rigden
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2008 : 20:08:25
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I'm not sure that conceding a two goal advantage is a recommended recipe for success, but it seems to be bringing the best out of this Metros team.
And team is what they are - for the second week running, every member of the squad contributed to a performance in which spirit and determination played as much a part as footballing skills. That is not to understate some of the football which the side played - there was certainly plenty of that on show as well, but both this week and last week, the reaction to conceding two goals has been excellent; no recrimination, no pointing the finger of blame, just a desire to put it right and work together to get a result.
Clean sheet next week then lads? |
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Matt
Unicorn Bronze Reporter
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 23/09/2008 : 20:46:05
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i think Liam's goal could be a contender for goal of the season as we don't often score from long range. Well done to Harry for being consistent in getting one goal a match. I thought that Calum did great when he set Liam's second goal up.
We need to work on defending from the first whistle.
See you at training |
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Eagley
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
122 Posts |
Posted - 24/09/2008 : 09:29:19
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Metros - great start to the season!!!!!! Keep it going METROS!
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Rob Smallwood
Unicorn Platinum Reporter
United Kingdom
150 Posts |
 Posted - 25/09/2008 : 20:13:53
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Sorry I missed that one - sounds like it was a classic!
Well done
BDette
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Edited by - Rob Smallwood on 25/09/2008 20:18:16 |
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Metros v Altrincham Juniors 21st September
