MJFC Under-9s v Delamere Rangers 2 – 18 February 2012
EMJFL Under-9s League Fixture
RAINING GOALS
GALAXY 9 – 1 DELAMERE RANGERS 2 (ht 6-0)
STARS 2 – 2 DELAMERE RANGERS 2 (ht 0-1)
Returning to play on grass for the first time in many weeks this fixture in the breakfast time slot was eagerly awaited, particularly after last weeks postponement. A dry start to the day looked promising but after overnight showers the heavy rain forecast for mid-morning made playing the fixture touch and go. The rain started during the warm-up but with the pitch holding up the referee decided to give the game the go-ahead.
With Delamere short of players Galaxy were sent out first to play to a result while the second game would be forfeited by Delamere, who would send their starting nine out again to play Stars.
Game 1:
With Stars already stripped off and lined up, by the time the players had sorted themselves out to swap the team roles of Galaxy playing and Stars waiting, the skies had turned battleship grey and delivered the promised incessant rain. Featuring in a strong Galaxy team Brodi slotted into the holding midfield role, initially because the coaches, crowd and even the opposition searched frantically for a pair of shinpads for Morgan. Luckily, in a welcome spirit of generosity the Delamere coaches donated a pair to allow Morgan to play. By the time Morgan was ready and pacing the touchline Galaxy had already taken the lead through a fine finish by Louis M and doubled it with a penalty driven low and hard into the bottom corner by Noah. The Delamere coaching staff and players could be forgiven for regretting providing Morgan with shinpads as he was then the dominant force in midfield. Time and again crucial tackles stopped Delamere moves and well timed passes released the creative flow going forward by Galaxy. Louis M rounded off an excellent first half display by completing his hat-trick with two neatly taken goals, both after surging runs from midfield getting him into the box to connect with loose balls. On both wings Aaron and Josh P caused mayhem in an uncertain Delamere defence, dancing their way around, through and inbetween a bemused number of players – the constant pressure from good passing and crosses telling with the completion of Noah’s hat-trick. An accomplished performance by Brodi saw him roam all over the pitch both in his usual energetic style but also by being asked to play in every one of the outfield positions by the coaches. As Garth said “Brodi can play anywhere and at times it’s never sure what position he should be playing. Funnily enough at soccer camp this week he came away with the goalkeeper award!. Wherever he’s asked to play though he puts in 100% effort.” At half time, in pouring rain, Galaxy, six up, came off to warm applause. Meanwhile Stars were rewarded for their patience in the rain and being made to run and do drills to keep warm with a trip to the cafe to seek solace in radiators and a roof. A good team talk by the Delamere coaching staff had their team starting the second half much more positively, forcing the game back onto Galaxy. Max however in one of his quietest games in goal had little to do as Mat S patrolled the final third like an army general; reading the game in front of him to position himself to snuff out attacks, and commanding the troops in front of him to cover and mark. In the mud in his goal mouth Max made one fine save low down at the feet of a striker who had finally breached the defence and made it through on goal. From the following throw out Max set in motion an elegant move that spoke volumes about the team performance. Collecting the throw-out Mat S looked up and passed to Morgan, who in turn delivered the ball out wide to Aaron. Turning inside Aaron played a deliberate pass through midfield to find Josh P who controlled, strolled forward over the half way line and then played the pass of the game. The ball, stroked diagonally and perfectly beyond two defenders, travelled 25 yards to the feet of the on-rushing Noah who, in one of his best games in the white shirt, took one touch past the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. The hard work on the training ground pays off with such moments of football artistry. Despite Delamere pulling one back, much to their players obvious joy, Galaxy ran out winners with Noah completing a double hat-trick as the goals rained in to match the downpour from the heavens.
MotM: Noah – not only for his goals but for tireless running, some lovely pass and move football and always giving an option up front for the team. A classic strikers display.
Game 2:
Returning from the warmth of the cafe Stars were soon soaked and cold again as the rain pelted down with a vengeance. The ref, centre co-ordinator and coaches agreed to continue as the pitch was holding up well but all the players were urged to keep running to ward off the freezing conditions. Stars lined up in the usual 1-1-3-1 formation that has served them well this season but with Jago taking up the position between the sticks. This was his first game in goal since giving the gloves to Max in the close season. Facing the same team that played Galaxy and peering into a wind-blown torrent of rain Stars would be tested to the limit. Delamere came out of the blocks from the kick-off with renewed vigour, perhaps hoping to avenge the previous match. Stars were severly tested in the early exchanges with the midfield dropping back to help out at the back. Josh G put in a fabulous first half performance in the centre of midfield breaking up attacks with determined tackles and finding the time to look up and pass. With Blake dropping back more often, he and Kaden made a strong pairing to stifle Delamere raids on goal, Kaden especially yet again timing tackles supremely. Added to this his clearances from defence were not only long but accurate too, giving Stars a platform from which to build. It was Delamere, though, who struck the first blow. A certain goal was prevented by a great, muddy, flying save by Jago to turn a shot round the post. Unfortunately a goal wasn’t long coming as the resulting corner wasn’t dealt with and Stars were punished with a goal taken after a number of failed clearances. The half time team talk centred around pushing the midfield forward to put Delamere on the back foot and give some support to Matt V up front. Will and Owen took the words to heart as right from the kick off they took control of the width of the midfield. Both players turned in fine performances; strong in the tackle, often against some towering defenders, and determined when running with the ball. Further the coaching insistence to look up and pass is sinking in as they brought team mates into play with controlled passing. With Blake in the centre chasing and tackling Stars looked a different team going forward, inspired by a centre forward display by Matt V straight from the text book. When he didn’t have the ball he pressured the Delamere players into making mistakes and when in possession he linked well with the midfield and threatened the goal constantly. Delamere were hemmed into their own half and more often than not in their own penalty area. The pressure had to tell and it did with something special as Louie R latched onto a ball rolling out of the box to fire a rocket past the keeper. Rather than sit back now Stars revelled in their display and took the game firmly to Delamere. Owen so nearly opened his scoring account with a sweet connection to ball 15 yards out that was destined for the top corner before glancing off the shoulder of a defender and over. The go-ahead goal for Stars came much the same way as the first; pressure created by good work from Will, Owen and Blake which led to a shot from Matt V that ricocheted to the edge of the box. The ball fell to an on-rushing Louie R who smashed in his second. A deserved brace of goals for a performance rich in determination and no little style. The game swung back and forth now as conditions worsened and the Stars defence were tested. When Kaden was finally passed by good work from the Delamere forwards Jago was outstanding in goal. It took a break by the speedy Delamere no. 10 that left the defence behind to beat the boy from close range and bring the scores level. With time running out the no.10 found himself in the same position but this time Jago stood up bravely to save from point blank range to keep the scores level. One last attack from Stars to get the winning goal that their performance probably justified saw Matt V steer a shot just wide and the ref blew to bring to an end an enthralling game depite the worse of the weather.
MotM: Jago – asked to play in nets today jago gave a solid account in awful conditions, capped by a game-saving desperate block in the final minutes.
PotW: Josh G – improves with every appearance in the white shirt and puts the effort in week after week at training. Delivered a committed performance today worthy of the award.
With a hastily convened after-match press conference staged in the cafe corridor out of the downpour the coaches rightly praised the dripping and shivering bunch of lads for an outstanding display. “A great performance from every player today” said coach Ryan, “the conditions were appalling but credit to every player for keeping on going and for playing some of the best football we’ve seen this season.” The match was played in awful conditions on a soggy grass pitch. This perhaps helped the way the boys play as coach Richard explained: “On the slicker artificial turf our passes sometimes run away from us yet today the ball held up on the grass which allowed the boys to reach passes and through-balls. Some of the resulting play was superb.”
There is a no fixture listed for next Saturday so the boys can build on todays match at training and go with confidence of their ability into the re-arranged League fixture against Hollingworth Juniors Reds in a couple of weeks time.