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MossleyJuniors

FA Charter Standard Clubs

MJFC Under-9s v Hollingworth Juniors Reds – 04 February 2012

EMJFL Under-9s Division 4 Cup, Semi-Final Fixture

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS…..

STARS            0 – 6                 HOLLINGWORTH JUNIORS REDS (ht 0-2)

GALAXY          1 – 1                 HOLLINGWORTH JUNIORS REDS (ht 1-1)

On yet another freezing morning players and supporters gathered at Martinfields to witness the Under-9s first ever semi-final in the day’s breakfast-time kickoff. The match would be against a rejuvenated Hollingworth Juniors Reds, who have come on in spades since being on the wrong end of the MJFC U9s best victory earlier in the season. After two great results in the Cup run the boys were sent out to enjoy the occasion and play the football they know they can; and who knows where it would lead.

Game 1:

A tactical change put the strong-tackling Louie R in the hole in front of the defence with Brodi pushed forward to try bring the midfield closer to Matt V up front. An obviously hardy ref in short sleeves got the game going with Stars attacking the Field End. In the early minutes both teams probed and tested each other out with play mainly in the midfield and some strong but fair challenges being made. Louie R justified his position with critical tackles and read the play well, with Kaden behind him mopping up any loose balls. Going forward Brodi looked energetic in the centre of the three man midfield, winning the ball and bringing Will and Owen into play several times. After initially having the slightly better of play Hollingworth now found themselves on the back foot. In one of their few attacks a long range effort caught Stars by surprise to give Hollingworth the breakthrough. With Josh G involved in some promising play down the left, one great one-two with Matt V in particular raising appreciative cheers, Stars earned themselves a number of corners. Despite the pressure the ball wouldn’t break free for a clear chance in a crowded penalty box and the Hollingworth keeper wasn’t troubled. After a series of corners at the other end Stars just couldn’t clear the ball far enough and found themselves two behind from another long range effort. In spite of being two goals down coach Ryan Stars thought Stars could pull this one back. “They’ve only had two shots and both went in. The boys just needed to want the ball more, then to carry on passing and moving and we felt the chances would come”. Stars were quick out of the blocks in the second half, Will turning in a fine performance playing wide left in midfield – a constant threat and showed good use of both feet when passing. A fierce drive from Louie R went just wide and Owen turned and twisted determinedly in the box but couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet to fire in a shot. Joining the midfield Jago found space a number of times working his way forward and was forceful with a number of challenges. With Stars pushing up searching to reduce the arrears big gaps were left at the back. Against the run of play Hollingworth scored a third as they swarmed forward to find these gaps after a Stars attack broke down. Three on one against a lonely Kaden, who tackled well, the ball fell kindly to the second striker to shoot past a despairing Max. Heads went down a little bit within the Stars team and the momentum swung back with Hollingworth. In a wierd few minutes, an end to end passage of play resulted in a conclusive change in the score. While Stars had three good chances all go to nothing – a Matt V poacher’s effort saved by their competent ‘keeper legs, a lofted free kick from the trusty boot of Brodi scrambled wide and a superb right footed drive by Will blocked by a defender – Hollingworth scored two. Both perhaps resulted from Stars switching off when possession was lost allowing a good Hollingworth side room and time to pick their way forward and score. In an effort to grab a consolation goal and perhaps a lifeline in the tie Matt V just needed the ball to run a little more kindly to stab home a great pass from Owen, who had collected a loose ball after an immense tackle by Kaden. However Hollingworth were gifted a sixth goal just before the ref blew up to end the match and put the opponents in the driving seat in the tie.

MotM: Kaden  – the boy produces a performance of strength and bravery game in game out to be the building block of the Stars team. Outstanding again.

Game 2:

Never say never was the team talk as Galaxy prepared to go out for the second game and a determined mood was with the team. With Morgan still away on international duty and Jamie suffering from illness but prepared to give it a go from the bench for his team-mates, Louie M returned to anchor the midfield and Blake given a roving midfield role. From the whistle Galaxy made a good fist of getting right back into the tie, some neat movement through midfield, with Blake in particular putting in a shift, leading to creation of some good chances. The Hollingworth keeper stood firm and it took a reflex block to keep out a snap shot from Noah and strong hands at the near post to deflect a drive from Blake away. Josh P was having a free rein down the right wing, time and again nimble feet and pace seeing him past the defender. Hollingworth were far from out of it though but a passionate display in the holding role in midfield from Louis M made it tough for Hollingworth to break down Galaxy. Louis played a disciplined game, determined to win the ball, passing well and most crucially keeping position to maintain the shape of the team. An early breakthrough was needed by Galaxy and it came courtesy of yet another fine bit of wingplay by Josh P. Beating two players and putting one of many superb crosses into the box the ball ricocheted of Noah and finally fell to the feet of Aaron who nicked it over the keeper into the net. A deserved goal for a lad who played well going forward on the left today and shows an increasing ability to read the game to allow him to tackle and track back. Hopes lifted, Galaxy played well; Josh P a continual threat on the right, and some of the combination play with Noah was fantastic to watch. “There were lots of excellent little contests going on all over the pitch” said coach Richard, “Louis M battling in midfield, Mat S in cat and mouse with their striker but Josh P taking on the defender was the stand out one for me. Plus his crossing, and his corners, were top drawer today.” A couple of corners nearly yielded a second goal and a foothold in the tie but it was Hollingworth who struck next. In search of goals Galaxy played much higher up the field and vast open spaces were left at the back. Mat S had performed heroically in covering the space and when he was beaten Max was solid, a brave display when confidence could have been knocked after the first game. Max though could do nothing about the equaliser; a long punt out of defence finding the Hollingworth striker alone in the box and the well taken one-touch finish was deserving of credit. Jamie joined the fray in the second half which continued where the first left off, a good game of football played in the right spirit. Galaxy’s neat left winger left his illness on the sidelines with an energetic display that was an example of first-rate midfield play – fine support play for the attack yet chasing back to help out the defence. Galaxy probably shaded the half and indeed the game but couldn’t find the finishing touches to haul back the tie. Desperate to claw a way back the team played some scintillating football from defence to attack. In fact so much were Galaxy pushing up the sight of Mat S in and around the Hollingworth penalty box was not uncommon and he made the keeper make a smart save with a dipping shot from the edge of the box. Louis M was mighty in midfield winning just about everything and playing intelligently while Blake continues to mature into a player who has time on the ball. The lad also achieved something new today when he took the coaches advice on defending that sometimes “a hoof into row Z” is needed too literally and managed to get the ball over the pitchside fence. A couple of minutes later he nearly repeated the feat in clearing for a corner, a trick the crowd enjoyed. Going forward some of the passing and movement between Jamie, Josh P and Noah was admirable and the only let down was it didn’t get the goal it deserved. The final whistle brought the curtain down on an entertaining Cup run deserving of the applause from the biggest crowd of the season.

MotM: Louis M – asked to play out of position today a top class performance of strength, determination and discipline fully merited the Motm award.

PotW: Josh P – a display of wing wizardry to savour today, and has a terrific understanding with Noah, learnt on the training ground as well as at matches.

The press conference was upbeat in face of the result with coach Ryan pleased with the progress the boys have shown. “We’ve never been to a semi-final so it shows how far we have come, especially with the number of new players in their first season with us.” he said, “Try as we might, today was just one of those days where it doesn’t go our way. We’re really proud of the boys and they deserve praise not just for getting so far in the competition but for the way they always try to play the game with the ball on the ground.” Coach Garth equally praised a great set of players. “The team spirit is great, we have fun and they turn up week after week just wanting to play football, and we hope with a smile on their face. Time will come when this great bunch of lads get their reward.”

In a typical twist of fate the League matches resume next week with a fixture against Hollingworth Juniors Reds.