Afternoon Panthers fans, another blood and guts performance from the team, where learning the game properly all over the pitch is more important than any result, and the Panthers demonstrated today real progress in shape, passing, keeping and defending. Today though the lads really excelled in pressing, particularly high up the pitch leading to lots of dangerous situations- well done lads.
Beechdale
Ritchie quickly leapt to the offensive for the Panthers with a smart run, leading to a corner, which Ryan nearly scored from. Frazer defended excellently, repelling one particularly dangerous Beechdale attach early on with some sensible defending. Indeed this tackle allowed Lukas to save bravely (getting injured in the process but carryign on superbly) who then released a quick long kick, which pressed Beechdale with Willo and Ryan looming dangerously. Willo and Ryan were particularly busy in the first half, with the stand out half performance from Ritchie who played very well in the first half. A bit of luck lead to Beechdale’s first goal with Willo putting through his own net as he was trying desparately to clear. Panthers soon after found themselves two down; following a quick throw in down the left. Wyrley were unable to clear, and Beechdale finished smartly, ending the half two down. Joshua then replaced the tireless Willo at halftime. The captain then grabbed the game and the midfield by the scruff of the neck, starting the half running past three Beechdale players, and that set the pace for the second half. Joshua and Ritchie then linked up very well on in the middle, Joshua moved the ball between two players and finished crisply to make it Two – One to Beechdale. Then Wyrley pressed high up the pitch and were stung by a very good counter attacking goal by Beechdale. Vinnie handled and kicked the ball well throughout the second half, as a replacement for Lukas. The lads didn’t keep their heads down long and Joshua who was unplayable today, pressed and capitalised with a great finish to make it 2-3. Then Joshua, Ritchie and Ryan really attacked and we were all presented with a ‘hawkeye’ moment, firstly Joshua looked liked he scored, Ritchie came close from a rebound and then Ryan looked liked he scored but the man that mattered could not see for definite. The match finished soon after that and the Panthers can be proud of their performance, which on another day would have seen a victory.
Tipton
The gathered parents were again treated to a superb session of football, and applauded each others teams in recognition of some great play. Willo dazzled the crowd straight from the kick off with a great trademark direct run including a little pirourette which lead to a corner. Joshua, playing at the back interchanging well with Willo this half, took a superb corner which Wyrely were unlucky not to score from. Joshua again burst from the back, giving the Panthers an extra man in midfield, avoided challenges down the right and crossed to Ritchie who had found space superbly and again unlucky not to score. Tipton then broke quickly and opened the scoring to make it one nil Tipton. Tipton then kept pressing and nearly scored;- Lukas clearing superbly up the pitch, the ball broke to Joshua on the halfway line who controlled and turned the Tipton man well, and hit a great strike from distance, hitting the post and denying Wyrely an equaliser. Joshua then won the ball down Wyrely’s left, cut into the right and pushed a great ball into the danger area which Ryan took on superbly and then finished brilliantly to equalise for Wyrley. Throughout the half Willo provided constant pressure and also made some really great direct runs. Fraser then came on for Ritchie and Wyrley carried on the great form. Joshua made a good run, put Ryan through, and he was really close to taking the lead. Joshua then pressed the Tipton team from a goal kick, won the ball and finished crisply with his left foot to make it 2-1 to Wyrley. Willo then made another great run and came close to a third, as did Joshua and Ritchie who also came back on. Vinnie made some smart saves in goal bravely narrowing angles. Sadly Wyrley conceded two late goals in a row with one a truly excellent finish from their man of the match- Rio. The Panthers, though can be proud of an excellent performance today.
Beechdale 3- Wyrley Panthers 2
Goals Joshua Lester 2
MoM Joshua Lester
Tipton 4- Wyrley Panthers 2
Goals Ryan Jones 1 Joshua Lester 1
MoM Wilson Cooper
Special mentions go to; Lukas for brave goalkeeping, Ryan for a truly great finish, Ritchie for some passionate and classy midfield play, Vinne for some super handling and Fraser for some brave defending.
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