text

MossleyJuniors

FA Charter Standard Clubs

MJFC Under-9s v AFC Stanley – 14 January 2012

EMJFL Under-9s Division 4 Cup, Round 1 Fixture

FLOWING FOOTBALL SEES OFF STANLEY CHALLENGE

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

GALAXY          3 – 0                 AFC STANLEY (ht 1-0)

The only game in Round 1 of the Division Cup matched MJFC Under 9s against AFC Stanley, with the reward for the winners of a quarter-final tie against AFC Oldham next week. A good training session back at Mossley Hollins in mid-week pointed to a team in high spirits, and sharp, cold air around on this oh so early kick-off got rid of any lingering tiredness.

 Game 1:

On a pitch lightly coated in white from the harsh overnight frost and the players breath clearly visible against the vivid colours of the day the game kicked off with the low, winter sun firmly in Stars players eyes. Max could have done with a cap. Back to a typical team line-up Stars set off full of intent. A purpose to their game that was absent last week against TSC United was evident from the first few minutes as quick passing in midfield found Blake away on the right, taking the ball neatly round the defender and playing a fine ball across goal. Despite lunging neither Matt V or Will, coming in at the back post, could put a touch on the ball that would surely send it goalward. A tempo had been set and some of the best football Stars have staged this season resulted in long periods in possession of the ball. Brodi, as is so often the case, made the midfield his own putting in a performance of energy and tenacity. In front of him Blake moved forward with purpose and has added a passing dimension to his game that brings a most useful quality to the spine of the team. Behind Brodi sat Kaden who had a towering yet patient performance as last man; often left watching the game as Stars poured forward but alert to any Stanley breakaways. A reliable defender who can put in the tackles Kaden now also plays the ball away out of trouble more often than not. Playing what was sometimes a lonely role up front, despite the amount of possession by Stars, Matt V led the line well, but luck just wasn’t on his side. With continued effort, and the fact Stars are creating more chances, the goals will soon return for this talented centre-forward. The half flew by, some of the football being as exhilarating as any, with the only worry that the dominance had not been turned into goals. The coaches didn’t need to do much at half time except praise the boys and ask for the same again in the second twenty minutes. Stars responded with a half that equalled the first, with wave after wave of attacks peppering the Stanley goal, their keeper made to work hard. Josh G and Jago, as half time substitutes, added to the compelling evidence that Stars have come a long way this season and can play football. Both players turned in determined displays, strong in the tackle, looking to play the pass and tracking up and down the wing with energy. Towards the end of the half Jago went close with a couple of chances from balls across the box and Josh G had a great shot blocked by defenders. On the right Will’s control allowed him space and time and he used this intelligently to look up and play passes whenever he could. It was only though sheer numbers of defenders that he didn’t grab his first goal for the club with a strike on target. Louie R is living up to the reputation he now has with strong challenges, but on the right side of fair, looking lively when asked to play up front after Matt V went off with a sore ankle; he was one of many players today close to scoring. It is saying something of the performance that Max in goal had little to do, but equally could do little about the goal Stanley unexpectedly scored. It is also saying something that the goal came from what should have been a routine clearance from defence rather than from a purposeful Stanley attack. Robbing the ball the Stanley striker bore down on goal to shoot past a stranded Max. Stars came back with several chances, both Blake and Brodi skimming the foot of the post, but again it just wouldn’t go in. As the ref blew for full time the team, the coaching staff and the crowd could only shrug in amazement that the game was lost when so much good football was played by Stars.

MotM: Blake  – a difficult choice to make among so many superb performances but Blake stood out for his midfield display that contained good passing, energy and tackling, and for listening to advice from the coaching staff.

 Game 2:

With Jamie taken down by illness Galaxy lined up to try pull back an undeserved 0-1 aggregate with Josh P back on the right of midfield, Aaron on the left and Owen ready to come off the subs bench. The pitch was now a mosaic of white and green as feet and the sun had wiped much of the frosty icing from the turf. The air was also a touch warmer; great conditions for football. Galaxy started where Stars left off, putting pressure straight on Stanley and forcing the game. Louis M was solid in the centre of midfield from the word go, a tiger willing to show his teeth in the tackle and playing the ball neatly to team-mates when he could. Around him Aaron and Josh P were willing outlets on the wing for passes, Josh P a welcome return to add fizz and pace to the right. The team were playing deeper in their own half than perhaps needed making attacks seems like breakaways. But what breakaways they were, Noah using his control and pace to terrorise the Stanley defence and combining well with Josh P and Aaron, Stanleys last defender probably becoming their man of the match by having to cover regularly at the back and make timely tackles. Suddenly a ball played out of defence was neatly laid off by Noah into the path of a speeding Josh who covered half the pitch, leaving the defence standing, to slot confidently past the keeper. The aggregate scores were now level and the momentum was with Galaxy. Surging forward on a number of occasions the comfort of a second goal and the lead in the tie looked on; Galaxy forcing a number of corners, the ball being scrambled away and Noah putting one fierce drive inches wide. The go-ahead goal just wouldn’t quite come and Galaxy had their defence to thank for keeping a clean sheet. Morgan plays the role just in front of Mat S like he was born to play there; he sometimes makes the game look so simple just being there to break up attacks and distribute the ball cleverly. As ‘Mr Reliable’ Mat S reads the game well too and sweeps up at the back, often playing balls to set up attacking play. Behind both players stands Max, sometimes standing too still allowing the cold to get to him, but today in freezing conditions was alert to everything Stanley played and looked solid getting his body behind the ball. After an astute half time team talk by Coach Ryan Galaxy spent the second half playing much further forward putting pressure on the opposition. This tactic paid off allowing Aaron and Owen to control the left wing in turns, both stepping up to the mark when asked and both bringing some great pass and move football into their game. Josh P continued the menace down the right, some lovely skill taking him past defenders. He often got his head up to see a pass or a cross as, with all three wide midfielders today, he looked for the continuous movement up front. That movement was from Noah, who eventually settled the game and the tie. The pacy forward exploited space in the zone in the final third of the pitch, making himself available for the ball, strong in control of it and playing crafty passes, to run the Stanley defence ragged. Each time taking a pass from his own defence, Noah placed two clinical drivets beyond an advancing keeper, after excellent running, to put Galaxy three up. While the game then never looked in doubt Stanley effected a few attacks but with the team all playing their part Galaxy stopped them in their tracks. If anyone looked like adding to the score it was Galaxy as Louis M, to the offer if a fiver from his Dad, nearly claimed the money with a crisp shot. Noah shaved a post with a close range effort and Josh P made the keeper work with a drive from a tight angle. In fact with Morgan adding a looping drive just over the bar, Aaron touching a cross wide, Owen having an effort blocked and Mat S pushing a shot from a cleared corner just outside of the post, all outfield players threatened to add the fourth goal. With the 40 minutes up and Galaxy encamped in the Stanley half,  the ref ended the game to signal a justified win after a cracking display.

MotM: Noah –delivered a fine performance on his birthday rounding off a polished, controlled game with two well taken goals. As well as finishing has pace, skill, touch and, when he gets his head up, sees the good pass.

PotW: Max – one of the first every week to training, and to the match on Saturdays, his ‘keeping has improved fantastically over the season. The display today gave confidence to the team in front of him.  A good clean sheet for Galaxy and deserved one for the Stars game.

In the after-match press conference the coaching staff recognised that while the result was important the display was the most pleasing aspect, with coach Richard even saying the football shown by Stars and Galaxy made it one of his best days in recent months. The choices of Man of the Match was the toughest so far this season as every player played their part in two thrilling performances. The Galaxy game turned fully their way after a sharp observation at half time by coach Ryan that the midfield should push further up the field. This pressed Stanley into their own half and brought the midfield closer to Noah so he wasn’t playing so isolated up front. The tactic worked well for Galaxy, helping to create chances, and the coaching staff have the confidence in Stars as well to ask both teams to play further forward in future.  The boys have the ability to press the opposition and make them play under pressure in their own half.

The Division Cup continues next week with a quarter-final tie against AFC Oldham.