Fletcher Moss Rangers FC

U’9S (BLUE) MATCH REPORT: 12^TH DECEMBER 2009

After a prolonged period of little activity due to the poor weather and “sozzled” pitches, this week the “blues” are at last back in action. It’s away to Wythenshawe Amateurs, who we learn, are being promoted from a lower division. An “unknown quantity”.

1^st Period

After re-introducing themselves to each other, the Fletcher Moss players kick off, with Ben Mills in goal.

The opposition look a little nervous at the start, having stepped up in level for this one. However, Fletcher fails to take early advantage, and is looking like a team who haven’t been together much. Despite this, the high-lights of this first period are three neat through balls in attack from Jack Ryan to Ezekiel (Zeke) Eme. The first of these results in a goal from Zeke, riffling home a firm shot from the right hand side. The second is saved by the Wythenshawe keeper, and the third is a shot over the bar.

Fletcher Moss finish the period with the one goal advantage, but it hasn’t been a convincing performance so far against game opposition who have a “no nonsense” approach to defence, i.e. hoof it clear.

2^nd Period: Trey Williams in goal for this one.

A difficult period this one for the “blues” as Wythenshawe, who appear to have taken heart from a relatively good first period, quickly take the initiative. Our match rustiness is really showing and Wythenshawe are playing most of the better football, passing the ball about with no shortage of confidence. We, on the other hand, are not getting passes to feet, and there is none of the usual fluency to our general play. A soggy, heavy, pitch is clearly not helping.

At the moment, it’s also safe to say that we are appearing to be losing the midfield battle.

Almost inevitably, 7 minutes into the period, an attack by Wythenshawe produces a cross into the Fletcher box from the left hand side which is prodded into the net. 1 – 1, and it looks like anybody’s game at the moment!

This pattern of play continues, with an animated response from our coach on the touchline. Clearly not happy! Then Fletcher Moss gets a break when a tousle in midfield results in Jack Ryan coming away with the ball, and with a clear run on goal. With only the goal-keeper to beat, Jack keeps his cool and slots the chance away. 2-1! More too-ing and fro-ing until the end of the period, but with no clearer cut chances for either side.

3^rd Period: Jack Mathews in goal.

Several minutes into the third period, and some sloppy play from both sides eventually sees Zeke come away with the ball. After “dancing” his way to the opposition goal, he manages to squeeze the ball between the goalkeeper and the right hand post. It’s now 3-1, and some badly needed daylight showing. This goal seems to take a lot of the sting out of the opposition, and restores some fragile confidence to our lads. The rest of the period sees Fletcher hold on to the lead with relative ease. The period is most notable for some lovely first-touch lay-offs from Allessandro (Al) Sivori in attack, mostly benefiting the supporting Zeke, but unfortunately no more goals. Some nice attacking movement from Terry Cannon also shows during this period.

Final score: 3-1 to Fletcher Moss.

Coaches Summary: In future reports we’ll have one of these! For now, we assume he wasn’t overly happy with the performance, in particular with an abundance of sloppy passing. In mitigation, the team have suffered because of lack of matches and training due to the bad weather. Also, on the plus side, the performance improved as the match went on, and the win was reasonably comfortable in the end.

MOM: It’s Allessandro this week for generally getting stuck in, and for some lovely passing and neat lay-offs which, on another day, would have yielded some scores. Keep it up, Al!

Foot Note: We are playing this team again next week, this time at home. It will be interesting which team improves the most from the initial outing.