Glorious sunshine greeted Panthers fans today, and despite early coffee payment and frog boot wearing controversy, all were treated to a great display by the Panthers today. For those unclear on what that means, please contact Chief of Admin, Andy Jones.
Sporting Kalsa
Straight from the kick off Joshua lead some early attacks and Ryan showed the importance of following up all attacks by poaching the first goal despite the keepers best efforts. Frazer and Lucas were well protected by the midfield, but as usual put in committed displays. The Kalsa keeper made some outstanding saves, one an excellent one from Joshua from distance. Vinnie, who was busy in midfield, nearly scored directly from a free kick and then Ryan (following wave after wave of Wyrley pressure) scored a great solo goal, going past two players to make the score two nil. Joshua on his weaker side put in a great left foot cross, which nearly lead to another Wyrley goal. Vinnie put in some great tackles, with Ryan offering constant danger throughout the half. Joshua’s efforts were rewarded with the third goal moments later, ghosting past two players to make the score three nil at half time with a quality finish. Willo and Ritchie came on for Joshua and Frazer, and Willo made an instant impact, from the kick off pushing past several Kalsa players to nearly make it four. Ritchie who was outstanding following his introduction burst through to set Ryan up for a deserved hatrick, four nil Wyrley. Willo and Ritchie strengthened the grip on midfield leading to the fifth, a good left foot finish from Ritchie with Ryan on hand Ian Rush like to make sure (although the goal goes to Ritchie). Willo then added another with a characteristic direct run through the middle, and a really smart finish. Ritchie then scored his second for it to finish seven nil to Wyrley with a lovely run and finish. Special credit goes to Ryan for great forward play in this match. Well done lads, everyone playing well and a clean sheet for Lukas Purcell.
Ashmore Park
What a great full blooded match! Credit goes to both teams for an end to end, superb advert for grass roots football. After a difficult match last week, (losing 3 1 to Ashmore) high praise must go to the Panthers collective for putting that behind them and neutralising the excellent Ashmore Park number ten, acknowledgement going there, in particular, to Willo, Josh and Ritchie. The match kicked off with some great wing play from Joshua sending in some dangerous left footed passes. Frazer Simms made some strong brave tackles, with Willo making some lung busting runs to cover any follow up required. Ashmore were dangerous throughout and was great to see some good handling and confident keeping by Lukas Purcell who collected the ball low down throughout the first half. Lukas also put in a great kicking performance out of hands and across the floor, allowing Wyrley to find their shape and regroup and pose much more danger through Ryan, Josh and Willo. A tight first half finished nil nil. A slight change in personnel saw captain Joshua revert to central defence, and the energetic Ritchie play down the left for the brave Frazer. Joshua started the second half well distributing the ball well from the back, and on one occasion with Willo covering intelligently in defence, crossing dangerously for Ryan who was a running threat throughout the second half. Willo put in further trademark box to box runs, running directly and unlucky not to score, with him never giving any Ashmore Park players time on the ball. Ritchie and Willo constantly tracked back superbly with Ritchie making a superb goal saving tackle. The key for Wyrley was keeping possession, which was done well in the second half, Joshua defending calmly placed several teasing and intelligent balls into the danger area allowing Wyrley to retain possession and exploit the pace of Ryan, Ritchie and Willo. Willo covered superbly at the back making a crucial tackle, then pressure from the whole team found Ritchie with the ball who finished well to make the score one nil despite a desperate lunge by the Ashmore Park defender. Committed defending and goalkeeping great forward play and the best team performance on grass for Wyrley then guaranteed a one nil result, Panthers bouncing back from last week. Well done lads!!
First match Wyrley Panthers 7 Sporting Kalsa 0
Goals, Ryan 3 Willo 1 Ritchie 2, Josh 1
Second Match Ashmore Park 0 Wyrley Panthers 1
Goal Ritchie
Overall Man of the match: Wow a tough decision, but this reporter, despite great goalkeeping, hatricks, lung busting midfield play, calm assured defending and distribution from the back gives the overall man of the match to Ritchie who typified Wyrley’s passion with some great midfield play, well done Ritchie.
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