Match Reports from Summer Season 2005/06:

Sandbach 7-a-side Tournament

We travelled to this tournament which was played on grass but with 7-a-side which was obviously a slight change from what we’re used to. We ended up winning one match (against the hosts), drawing 3 matches and losing just one - overall a very good display in conditions we weren’t used to though unfortunately we just missed out on progressing to the next round.

Sunday 4th June - Market Drayton Tournament

On a lovely sunny day we travelled to our first tournament away from the Soccer Centre. We arrived in Market Drayton to find that there were a huge number of other teams there too, and around 16 pitches marked out. We were placed in a group with five other teams who all seemed to be much bigger and wider than us. We went into the first game against M.D. Tigers Colts wondering what to expect but we had several very good chances that we couldn’t put away and the final score was 0-0. We then went down to two very close 1-0 defeats against Lawley Rockets and Areley Kings with the goal by Lawley being scored in the very last seconds of the game. In both matches we had several good chances but just couldn’t find the net. In the next match we were up against Halas Hawks East who were unbeaten to that point, Ben I broke through early on to score a superb goal and put us 1-0 up. Shortly after he was through on goal again before being cynically chopped down and had to go off. After a few scares we held on to win 1-0. The final match was against one of the eventual qualifiers and we went down 2-0. The day was a great experience and the boys gave a good account of themselves. Ben I was named as our Player of the Tournament for his great goal but all the boys showed great spirit against strong opposition.

Sunday 21st May v Italy (Alsager Panthers) - World Cup

Playing as Ukraine again in the World Cup Quarter Finals the game started very lively with our boys having the best chances but unfortunately not being able to turn the chances into goals with their keeper pulling off some fine saves. Italy started to come back into the game as time went on and hit the post. With extra time looming, Italy were awarded a direct free kick which was taken quickly and ended up in the back of the net to give them a 1-0 win in the last minute. After all our hard work to get this far in the competition it was a shame to go out to such a late goal although Italy went on to win the World Cup so there was no disgrace in losing.

Sunday 14th May v Wistaston Lions

The boys finished their League season in style beating Wistaston Lions 2-1 even though Ally was away so we were down to only 7 players. The team continued their recent good run of form starting the match well and the defence was solid which gave the midfield more room to play football. This soon paid off with an early goal from Ben I and as the game continued we should have increased the lead with several good chances before Ben I again put Wistaston’s defence under pressure and the ball ended up in the net off one of their players. We let Wistaston get back into the game a bit and they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 and they nearly grabbed an equaliser right at the end but Lewis S in goal pulled off a great save with his foot to ensure we won. A good all-round performance with all the boys playing their part in the victory.

Sunday 7th May - World Cup

We started the day knowing we needed to win at least one match to have any chance of progressing in the competition but it was going to be a tall order. Our first match was against Holland (AFC Redstar) and was very evenly matched until a fantastic solo goal by Ben I was enough to give us a 1-0 victory and set up the group for a very close finish. After a long wait for our next match we came up against France (Shavington Wanderers). This again was a very even contest and we were very unlucky to lose 2-1 in the end after another goal from Ben I had equalised Shavington’s opening goal. So we went into the final game against the Czech Republic (X Team) knowing we had everything still to play for. We had only just finished the previous game but the boy’s were raring to go and we came out with an impressive 3-0 victory with two goals from Ben G and another from Ben ‘Shevchenko’ I. The lads were celebrating at the end as we knew the victory would be enough to secure progression to the Quarter Finals and, sure enough, the draw was posted on the walls of the Soccer Centre before we’d made it back inside. A superb achievement by all the boys as we put out several fancied sides to progress.

Sunday 23rd April - World Cup

We kicked off our World Cup campaign against Ivory Coast (Alsager Pumas). This was a game we should have won easily, we had lots of chances but failed to convert them until Ally scored a great goal to put us one up. Unfortunately Ivory Coast punished us for our lack of finishing and pulled back an equalising goal.

Our second match was against Tunisia (Cheshire Blades) and this time we ran out convincing 3-1 winners. Having recently lost to them in the League the boys were fired up and out for revenge. After just a few minutes we went one up with a goal from Ally, who was playing like Shevchenko up front. We kept on passing the ball really well and the ball fell to Ben I who let go with a thunderbolt into the top of the net to make it 2-0. Tunisia pulled one back when the ball seemed to hit one of their players and bounce into the net. As the game neared it’s conclusion, Tom made sure of victory with a great goal to make the final score 3-1 and to leave us unbeaten in our first round of World Cup matches.

Sunday 9th April v Betley FC Falcons

We had a full squad to choose from today and with kick off time back to the more manageable time of 12.35 things were looking good before kick off. The boys started off playing some fantastic football in the first period with the Betley goal leading a charmed life as we had several shots fly just wide of the goal or cleared off the line but then Ben I scored a great goal and Tom soon added another to make it 2-0 at the break. The heavens then opened, with not just heavy rain but hail as well, making the playing conditions very difficult, Lewis S in goal was having trouble with visibility with the rain running in his eyes and all the boys were soaked to the skin but Ben I scored another great goal from wide on the right before they pulled one back to make the score 3-1. We carried on playing some good football with our defence shutting Betley out and the forwards continuing to have lots of chances before Ben I got his hat-trick with another good goal and shortly afterwards Ben G got another goal, his second in two games to make it 5-1. With the rain still not letting up we let Betley get back into it with two quick goals to make it 5-3 but the scoreline did not really do justice to how well we’d played and the amount of chances we’d had. We now have to wait almost a month for our final game of the League season although the World Cup competition starts beforehand. Well done to all the boys for a superb performance in such difficult conditions.

Sunday 2nd April v Alsager Town White

With the kick off time being changed from our normal lunchtime slot to the much earlier time of 9.10 our biggest problem before the match was ensuring everyone woke up and arrived on time. Thankfully all the boys did manage to wake their parents up in time and we had a full squad to choose from. The match started very well with us going a goal up very early on when Ben G latched onto a pass well outside the box and fired a thunderbolt into the corner of the net for his first goal since rejoining us. Unfortunately, as they say in football, you are most likely to concede when you have just scored and that’s exactly what happened to bring us back to 1-1. Ben I then got us back in front with another superbly taken goal. The game was very much end to end but we got caught out defensively a couple of times to leave us trailing 3-2 before Ben I found the net again with another great goal to bring us back level at 3-3. As we pushed forward trying to find a winner we got caught out yet again by two more goals to leave the final score 5-3. A disappointing result in the end after twice having held the lead and to score three goals and still lose was a shame but hopefully the boys will bounce back again next weekend.

Sunday 26th March v Holmes Chapel Hurricanes

We had a full squad to choose from for this game against the current runaway leaders of our league and the weather was fine for a change so things were looking good before the match started. However, we went a goal down in the first period although both teams had looked fairly even. After the restart we started to get more of the play and eventually got back into the game with a well taken goal by Ben I who shot past the advancing keeper from the right wing. The game didn’t stay level for long though as they soon regained the lead but our lads kept plugging away and finally our great play was rewarded when, right in the dying seconds, they made a poor back pass which Ben I latched onto and fired us an equaliser. For once the luck had gone our way but this was a superb all-round display by our boys against a team who haven’t lost yet this season.

Sunday 19th March v Cheshire Blades

With Ally away we were down to seven players and we started the game under pressure straight away, although we were playing some good football we were unable to get the ball out of our own half and then soon found ourselves a goal down when after Lewis S had made two saves the ball ran loose to one of their players who fired it into our net. After the break we played a little better but Cheshire Blades were still dominating and we kept getting dragged back into our own half which left us short up front. Ben G was unlucky not to score though from a free kick and was having his best game since rejoining us. We then went 2-0 when we conceded a well worked goal by the Blades. Tom went off injured in the last period and we were then unlucky to concede a third goal when the ball hit the post and rebounded straight to one of their forwards who knocked it into the net. Whilst we did play some good football we never really came that close to scoring and Ben I and Tom were constantly being dragged back to help in defence, so a disappointing result but with a full squad and some luck next week things will improve.

Sunday 5th March v Nantwich Diablos

Last time we played Nantwich we won 4-1 so they were out for revenge today but we were back to full strength with the return of Max from his holiday so the scene was set! And what a fantastic match it turned out to be with us coming out 3-1 winners and soaring to 2nd place in the table again, even with a match in hand over most of our opposition.

The boys took a bit of time to get going today after our enforced break last weekend and we went a goal down during the first period. Lewis S in goal had made a great save only to find that the loose ball had trickled free and found it’s way into the net. Shortly after this Tom had to go off with a head injury to be replaced by Ally up front. The second period started with us looking more focussed and Ben I got us back on level terms with a shot which their goalie could only turn into his own net. Rhys then got our second with a long range shot which their goalie couldn’t keep out. Lewis C was having a great game in midfield and came close to scoring his first goal with a brilliant shot that hit the post. As the third period neared it’s conclusion, Ben I come off injured and was replaced by Tom, who immediately made the match safe with a great goal to make the final score 3-1. A superb display by the whole team, well done lads.

Sunday 19th February v Betley FC Falcons

This was our first ever game against Betley and with Max away on holiday we were left with just one sub to call on. We decided to start of with just Lewis C in defence and with two in midfield and two up front. The game started very evenly with end to end football, Ben I had been given the job of helping Lewis out in defence but soon found he had plenty of room on the right and fired a cracking shot past the advancing goalie to put us 1-0 up at the end of the first period. The second period started with Betley looking a lot stronger than us and they eventually got an equaliser with a fantastic goal from the left which gave Lewis S no chance in goal. The game was now flowing from end to end and we came close a few times before we went 2-1 down following a goal mouth scramble and the ball somehow ended up in the back of the net. The third period started with us pressing hard for an equaliser which eventually came when Ally received a long pass which he sent into the far corner of the net to make it 2-2. We had further chances with Ben G going very close following a long, indirect free kick and then right on time Tom nearly snatched us the win with a header as the ref blew for time but it wasn’t to be. However, it was a great performance and the lads showed great determination to come back and get an equaliser and come so close to getting a winner.

Sunday 12th February v Alsager Town White

A really good result and performance today by the boys, bouncing back from last week’s defeat, to beat Alsager Town White 2-1 on a very wet day at the Soccer Centre. Ben G made his debut which meant we had a full squad of eight to select our team from. Alsager informed us before the start that they would be playing with only five players.

The first period saw us playing some good football with some nice passing which was rewarded when Ben I scored a fantastic goal to put us 1-0 up at the break. The second period saw us struggling more to get going again and we eventually conceded a goal which caught Lewis S in goal wrong-footed as it trickled in to level the score at 1-1. During the third period we got back to passing the ball around again and Ben I slotted home from close range to put us in the lead 2-1. Ben G then came close to scoring on his debut with a long, direct free kick which just went wide. However, the match ended 2-1 to us and we can be happy that all the boys contributed to such an excellent win against the current joint League leaders. Next week we’ll be down to seven players as Max will be sunning himself in Tenerife.

Sunday 5th February v Holmes Chapel Hurricanes

Our unbeaten run had to come to an end some time and it was disappointing to lose 3-0 to one of the teams we’d met only a few month’s ago in Division 1 although they are currently still unbeaten this season. However, the squad was again down to just seven players, which puts everyone under a bit more pressure. The game started very evenly with both sides hitting the bar in the first period but during the second period we went a goal down when a (very) high kick looped over Lewis S in goal, who had no chance, and just went under the bar. Shortly after we went 2-0 down when they had a good shot in from the right which just scraped in at the far corner. We were still having quite a few good chances, Ben hit the post after a good move down the right and overall we were playing quite well as a team but as we continued to attack we got caught out at the back and went 3-0 down. Everyone made an important contribution so hopefully we’ll be rewarded with a better result next week.

Sunday 29th January v Cheshire Blades

Our unbeaten run continues after battling back twice from being a goal behind to eventually draw 2-2 with Cheshire Blades. We started the game well with Max and Lewis C doing some fine defending work. Ben was his usual self, with a 100% work rate running up and down the left hand side, Tom being our lone forward, leaving Rhys to run the midfield as Ally started as sub. However we found ourselves a goal down in the first period before Tom pulled a goal back to make it 1-1. Ally came on for Max at the break. Both teams were pretty evenly matched but we went 2-1 down after our goalie Lewis S had a shot covered but it took a deflection that fooled both him and our defence. We equalised for the second time with a great goal - Ally sent through a superb pass from the right to Ben on the left who scored a fantastic goal. Rhys then had to go off injured for a while with an ankle injury and Max had to come back on. Earlier Lewis C had come close with a shot from the edge of the box. As the game went into the final minutes, Cheshire Blades broke free but Lewis S came out of his goal and made a great save to keep the score at 2-2 and a well deserved draw.

Sunday 22nd January v Wistaston Lions

The boys remain unbeaten after battling back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Wistaston Lions. It was the first time we’ve played Wistaston and we were also without the benefit of having coach Julian on the touchline shouting encouragement but the boys started off well and were unlucky to go a goal down during the first period. In the second period we played better football but after a mix-up between our defence and goalie we were 2-0 down. However the lads were not beaten, Ally scored a very well-taken goal to put us back in the match and we were unlucky not to get an equaliser with their keeper saved three good shots on the trot. But with the game nearly over, and only two minutes left to play, we managed to equalise with a great strike from Ally again. Another very good team performance.

Sunday 15th January v Nantwich Town Diablos

A superb way to start the new season proper with a 4-1 win over Nantwich. Playing in our smart new kit, the boys really looked the part as we soon went 1-0 up with a goal from Rhys and then shortly after Tom made it 2-0. The team were playing really well together and defending much better than recently though Lewis, our goalie, had no chance when Nantwich pulled a goal back through a superbly taken free kick. The boys didn’t let this set back put them off though and carried on playing lovely football scoring two more valuable goals through Rhys and Ben. A very good team effort, let’s hope this win gives us confidence for next week’s match against Wistaston Lions.

Sunday 8th January v Crewe FC (Friendly)

With a delayed start to the new season for both ourselves and Crewe FC we arranged a friendly at Shavington School, where Crewe normally train. Crewe FC will be playing this season in the Third Division as they are newly-formed but most of their players were those playing for X Team in the First Division last season so, after today’s match, I’m sure they’re going to be doing well.

We made a good start but Crewe FC were just too strong for us as we made a lot of mistakes leaving ourselves short in defence on several occasions. Ben scored both our goals as he adapted well to the much larger pitch and goal than we’re used to. All in all it was good to get the boys back together again after the Christmas break and the match gave us some food for thought as to the tactics we should use in the coming weeks.