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MossleyJuniors

FA Charter Standard Clubs

MJFC Under-9s v AFC Stanley – 17 March 2012

EMJFL Under-9s League

THIRD TIME UNLUCKY

STARS            2 – 3                 AFC STANLEY (ht 0-1)

GALAXY          2 – 3                 AFC STANLEY (ht 1-1)

As the season enters the final straight it was back to League action with another breakfast-time kick-off that would pitch our boys in white back on grass to play AFC Stanley. With an eye on next season the coaches took the opportunity to experiment with the teams and the players positions in front of yet another capacity crowd under another thunderous grey sky.

Game 1:

Playing up the legendary Martinfields slope in the first half Stars included Louis M to reinforce the midfield and Louis R dropped back as last man. The drizzle slowly faded as the game kicked off amid a vocal crowd; parts of the Stanley section being of a particularly loud and partisan nature.

Stars set off the stronger as the initial play centred around the midfield with Louis M fizzing around breaking up play and passing neatly out to the wide players Blake and Aaron. The first attempt on goal came from good work on the left by Aaron, putting in a confident display worthy of the captains armband, who slipped the ball into the box but the lively George found the keeper positioned well to save the stabbed shot. Stanley were far from out of it though and began to craft some good forward play only to find Louie R in commanding form in his new role at the back and Joseph looking confident in goal, one save turning the ball around the post with his feet when off balance most notable.

Last time these two teams met Stanley ran out two goal winners and things took a turn for the worse for Stars when, after a change up with a triple substitution, the team failed to settle quickly. Stanley took advantage of lapses in concentration in midfield to break and work a neat goal. Stars were performing well, despite being one down, with Jago asked to lead the line and coming close to equalising when breaking into the box to chase an intelligent cross by the determined Josh G. After taking on and beaten two in mazy run down the right, the increasingly confident Josh G then hammered in a shot that was flying until striking a defender and looping wide.

It looked at half time that Stars were building a head of steam and it didn’t take long for the equaliser to be found after the break. Blake, having a really good game in midfield, had broken up a Stanley attack and fed the ball to Louis M, who in typical all-action fashion steered the ball forward to George. Using speed and strength George took on the defender and left him behind to bear down on goal and slot past the keeper to open his scoring account for the team. The scoreline was now a fairer reflection of an even game and it was anybody’s guess how the game would end up after the full 40 minutes.

The play again became a little congested in midfield with few chances at either end; Stars being led in the battle by Louis M and Brodi, who hassled and chased but couldn’t quite find the pass to release George. Owen joined them in the fray and added a steely determination in front of Louie R, who was twice or more called upon to be strong in the tackle to prevent Stanley getting through on goal. It was Stanley though who broke the deadlock when they wanted the ball more in midfield and then found a pass into the penalty area. The on-rushing striker managed to poke the ball beyond the advancing Joseph, who was injured in the process with a stamp on the ankle. Taking over between the posts Jago had little to do as Stars, playing some good football, searched again for the second equaliser – Blake punting a huge clearance not far wide and George finding the keeper in form when given a half-chance to score.

By advancing forward Stars left gaps at the back with the Stanley striker goal-hanging. The policy worked as one long clearance found him in acres of space and a firm shot beyond Jago seemingly ended the game. Stars were not done just yet though. They forced a number of corners with Aaron popping the ball into the near post but Stars couldn’t find the finish. The pressure told when a push on Louis M gave a free kick 20 yards out. In one of the finishes of the season Blake curled a fabulous strike into the far corner to bring the game to 3-2. The pile-up celebration on Blake took a bit of precious time with the clock ticking but was understandably forgiven in appreciation of the goal. With mere minutes remaining Stars continued to threaten but couldn’t find the way through and nearly conceded a fourth but for a brave block by Joseph. The ref blew up on an entertaining game and for the third week running the result didn’t do the performance by Stars any justice.

MotM: Louie R  – has slowly moved through the team and has found a strength in defensive play. Solid at the back today showed great willingness to get stuck in and passed the ball well.

Game 2:

The ever-impressive Kaden slotted in at the back for Galaxy allowing Mat S a rare opportunity to take up a role in centre of the midfield where his ability to read the game and pass could be used constructively. The coaches hoped to exploit the width of the pitch with the pace and trickery of Josh P and Noah on the flanks and using Matt V as the target man.

Again playing up the slope in the first half Galaxy took the game to the opposition right from the kick off. The official photographer found himself encamped behind the Stanley goal not knowing whether to take pictures or applaud the energetic forward display. The attacking strategy was working for Galaxy as both Josh P and Noah were threatening consistently down the wings but chances were hard to come by as Stanley put two at the back and the midfield played deep giving them advantage in numbers.

Mat S grew into the new position and began to find time and space to link well with the wide men and Matt V. One lovely reverse ball when running across the line of the penalty box put Matt V through but a stout, last gasp challenge prevented a shot on goal. Stanley themselves threatened on the break but Kaden, settling into the team after a nervous start, tackled well, Morgan was his usual robust self and Max was cool in goal, denying Stanley by rushing out and making himself big to block a one-on-one situation.

Morgan had to go off to change his boots allowing Will to step in to midfield with Mat S dropping back to a  more customary defensive role. Galaxy’s breakthrough did come but perhaps much more scrappy than their pass and move football deserved. A cross-shot by Mat S rolled into the box and a mix-up between defender and keeper allowed Matt V to steal in to nick his twelfth of the season. At this point Galaxy looked to be in control, with the width of their play being the important difference; both Noah, skillful on the ball, and Josh P, slick down the right, were able to push and run to threaten the Stanley goal.

Not being able to force the second came back to haunt Galaxy as a clearance from a corner rolled out of the box and, with Galaxy slow to close down, a neat chip beat both Kaden and the surprised Max. With not much left of the half Galaxy had one last chance to go ahead but a drive from Josh P whistled past the post.

Playing down the slope the second half opened up for Galaxy with the wide men switching wing. Again going forward Galaxy looked impressive but perhaps against the run of play Stanley snatched the lead when a breakdown in defence allowed the striker time in the box to push a shot under the diving Max. Urged on by an increasingly vocal backing Galaxy took the game to Stanley, with their supporters high-pitched in their nervous restlessness.

With Noah moving more central the tempo had increased and the threat to the Stanley goal rose markedly. Any clearances were calmly dealt with by the influential Morgan and distributed back into the forwards. In a rampaging run down the left Josh P beat two before stabbing a shot just wide then Matt V made himself room in the box but his shot was blocked. Down the right was the most productive with Noah using his pace and touch to take him past defenders regularly and raising the usual expectation in team mates, coaches and crowd that something would happen when he was on the ball. He combined well with Matt V and the increasingly confident Will but committed defending by Stanley thwarted the attacks.

After a last ditch tackle by a defender to put the ball out Noah picked himself up to fire in Rory Delap style throw-in that evaded everyone bar an alert Josh P on the back post who bundled in the equaliser. Going for the win Galaxy pushed up with even Mat S, now playing his usual effective last man role as Kaden took a deserved breather, finding himself crowding into the Stanley box with the rest of Galaxy. It was perhaps then inevitable that Stanley would break to find oceans of space but for the second time Max bravely came out to put body on the line and save from the striker racing in.

A third time proved not to be lucky as another break, with Galaxy committed pushing forward, let Stanley through on goal to beat Max this time. Galaxy poured forward in a frantic finish, with one cynical hack on Matt V given Noah a direct free-kick opportunity. Unable to quite match Blake’s effort in the first game from the same position Noah’s hard, dipping effort crashed off the crossbar and out. Max was a lonely figure as the play was all in the Stanley half but the possession couldn’t quite yield the third equaliser. Stanley were desperate now with clearances punted anywhere but it was enough to stifle Galaxy into the second undeserved defeat of the day.

MotM: Josh P – a consistent threat on the wing all match, had the trickery and pace to make himself space. Did well when switched to the left, showing he can use his left peg. Also rediscovered his energetic self in chasing back too.

PotW: Blake – after a training session in mid-week where he took on board the learning, Blake showed zest in midfield and rounded of the performance with a great goal.

The after match comments reflected on the change in team formations with Coach Richard noting that “we mixed it up for the boys today due to some impressive performances recently and while it took a little time to for the teams to settle the results didn’t do justice to the collective display”. Following on Coach Ryan thought that going forward both teams looked really good “and that was our strength today. We set up to play attacking football and we were caught at the back. Some of the football was superb but for the third week running we’ve put in a performance but been unlucky with the result.” The coaches will have the chance to possibly continue with experimenting with the teams as the season draws to a close and the next opportunity comes in a week with AFC Oldham the opponents.