Panthers under-10s boys were among our teams bravely battling the elements, as Greater Manchester was consumed by torrential rain at the weekend.
The lads did themselves proud in their game against Longford Park, despite their warm up entailing working out the best methods for remaining as dry as possible…
Coach Ste, under a brolly, said: “Within the first five minutes we scored with a move straight from the training ground. James broke away up the left crossing a perfectly weighted ball to William who swivelled and neatly finished.
“It was an end to end first half but it was Longford who were more clinical. On the stroke of half time, when our corner was cleared, it only went as far as Freddie just inside their half, who hit a looping shot only to be denied by the cross bar
“At half time the lads were positive and knew they could set off the second half like a rocket. And the did. James was creating havoc on the left while Ollie was creating chances from the right. Ethan and William both came close but it was Ollie who scored with a smart finish from the corner of the area.
“Rocco and Jay had tightened things up and the back, while Hudson and Freddie took control of centre midfield, all helping Panthers get forward.
“The second half was played in the Longford half but Panthers couldn’t find a breakthrough despite lots of chances.
“Ollie was swinging some great corners in with a number going close, and with five minutes to go one of his corners was cleared by Longford all the way to Jay who was by the half way line. Jay struck the ball perfectly and it floated over everyone and into the top of the goal
“It was a nervy final few minutes as Longford fought back but David was equal to everything in goal. The final action of the game was another Ollie corner which fell to Ethan who slotted the ball into the corner to get his well deserved goal
“Credit to all the lads for fighting back and never giving up despite the awful conditions. Everyone played really well, however player of the match stood out from the crowd, - he got one assist, hit the post and created so many chances for the team, while putting the training into practice. Well done James.”
Our Raptors under-13s boys had a tough morning at Sparks Field against Middleton Lads Greens.
Coaching staff auditioned for the next series of Gardeners’ World, as they trimmed the surface ready for kick off, but the lads weren’t at the races.
Coach Paul, strimmer in hand, said: “We lost out too often in the middle of the pitch. We created some good chances and had plenty of shots but none that really troubled their keeper.
“Sadly our opposition took their chances well, netting three times before the break and twice more in the second half.
“The lads kept their heads up and battled right to the last whistle with excellent performances from Cameron in goal and Nathan standing in at centre half with the latter collecting player of the match from the parents. There were some positive signs, despite the defeat.”
Diamonds girls under-12s beat old foes AFC Bolton 4-1 thanks to goals from Maria (2), Erin and Violette.
Coach Mark said: "I thought today we played in patches, I think we started really strongly and finished really strongly, but switched off a few times in the middle of the match.
“Two of the goals, in particular, really were a joy and showcased us at our finest - breaking at pace with the ball moved quickly and precisely with a tidy finish on the end.
“I think at times we rushed the pass or were a bit panicked on the ball and hoofed it. In the small space possession drill we’ve been doing at training the girls are regularly stringing over 10 passes together and are a lot more composed in a lot tighter space, so I know these girls are capable of passing through teams more than we are, but that will come.
“We’re a real menace going forward and after three matches in top flight competitive football we’ve scored 11 goals and it could be double that
“Defensively we’ve only conceded the solitary goal but I think we need to defend more as a team and not leave the defence isolated, which means we need the midfield getting back quicker when we’re countered
“We also need the defence pushing right out as a unit when we go forward to make the pitch smaller. I think once we nail that we’ll stop leaving holes for the opposition to exploit.
"We are three wins from three games and sitting pretty at the top of the league and in truth not at our full potential. I believe when we really click someone is going to be on the end of a cricket score.
“Parents’ player of the game was Frankie, who was faultless at the back. Craig and Kris’s player was Elsa for being strong in the tackle and calm on the ball. My player of the game was Violette, who ran herself into the ground and got on the scoresheet.”
Phantoms under-16s boys won a 3-2 thriller against Littleborough Juniors Sharks.
Coach Marc said: “Another win was exactly what we wanted. We were by far the better team and could have put it to bed in the first half, as we had at least 10 chances.
“We played some great football, with waves of attacks. In truth, we played like we had the previous weekend, but in wetter conditions.
“Littleborough scored with a ball over the top and their fast centre forward put away what as their first attempt at goal.
“We carried on attacking and eventually Elliot broke the Sharks’ defence to slot home, to make it 1-1 at half time.
“The second half saw much of the same - we made chances and were still on top. Jamie managed to put us in front with another great finish. Unfortunately, that was soon cancelled out as Sharks equalised with 20 minutes to go.
“The lads fought on and most of the play was in the opposition’s half but Sharks stood firm and seemed to be blocking everything.
“Finally with just a few minutes left, Euan put in a perfect corner which was met by Riley’s head to finish the game off. A great end and a well deserved win.
“Thanks to Reece for covering in nets - he did a great job. Player of the game went to Elliot, who grafted throughout the whole match.”
The lads did themselves proud in their game against Longford Park, despite their warm up entailing working out the best methods for remaining as dry as possible…
Coach Ste, under a brolly, said: “Within the first five minutes we scored with a move straight from the training ground. James broke away up the left crossing a perfectly weighted ball to William who swivelled and neatly finished.
“It was an end to end first half but it was Longford who were more clinical. On the stroke of half time, when our corner was cleared, it only went as far as Freddie just inside their half, who hit a looping shot only to be denied by the cross bar
“At half time the lads were positive and knew they could set off the second half like a rocket. And the did. James was creating havoc on the left while Ollie was creating chances from the right. Ethan and William both came close but it was Ollie who scored with a smart finish from the corner of the area.
“Rocco and Jay had tightened things up and the back, while Hudson and Freddie took control of centre midfield, all helping Panthers get forward.
“The second half was played in the Longford half but Panthers couldn’t find a breakthrough despite lots of chances.
“Ollie was swinging some great corners in with a number going close, and with five minutes to go one of his corners was cleared by Longford all the way to Jay who was by the half way line. Jay struck the ball perfectly and it floated over everyone and into the top of the goal
“It was a nervy final few minutes as Longford fought back but David was equal to everything in goal. The final action of the game was another Ollie corner which fell to Ethan who slotted the ball into the corner to get his well deserved goal
“Credit to all the lads for fighting back and never giving up despite the awful conditions. Everyone played really well, however player of the match stood out from the crowd, - he got one assist, hit the post and created so many chances for the team, while putting the training into practice. Well done James.”
Our Raptors under-13s boys had a tough morning at Sparks Field against Middleton Lads Greens.
Coaching staff auditioned for the next series of Gardeners’ World, as they trimmed the surface ready for kick off, but the lads weren’t at the races.
Coach Paul, strimmer in hand, said: “We lost out too often in the middle of the pitch. We created some good chances and had plenty of shots but none that really troubled their keeper.
“Sadly our opposition took their chances well, netting three times before the break and twice more in the second half.
“The lads kept their heads up and battled right to the last whistle with excellent performances from Cameron in goal and Nathan standing in at centre half with the latter collecting player of the match from the parents. There were some positive signs, despite the defeat.”
Diamonds girls under-12s beat old foes AFC Bolton 4-1 thanks to goals from Maria (2), Erin and Violette.
Coach Mark said: "I thought today we played in patches, I think we started really strongly and finished really strongly, but switched off a few times in the middle of the match.
“Two of the goals, in particular, really were a joy and showcased us at our finest - breaking at pace with the ball moved quickly and precisely with a tidy finish on the end.
“I think at times we rushed the pass or were a bit panicked on the ball and hoofed it. In the small space possession drill we’ve been doing at training the girls are regularly stringing over 10 passes together and are a lot more composed in a lot tighter space, so I know these girls are capable of passing through teams more than we are, but that will come.
“We’re a real menace going forward and after three matches in top flight competitive football we’ve scored 11 goals and it could be double that
“Defensively we’ve only conceded the solitary goal but I think we need to defend more as a team and not leave the defence isolated, which means we need the midfield getting back quicker when we’re countered
“We also need the defence pushing right out as a unit when we go forward to make the pitch smaller. I think once we nail that we’ll stop leaving holes for the opposition to exploit.
"We are three wins from three games and sitting pretty at the top of the league and in truth not at our full potential. I believe when we really click someone is going to be on the end of a cricket score.
“Parents’ player of the game was Frankie, who was faultless at the back. Craig and Kris’s player was Elsa for being strong in the tackle and calm on the ball. My player of the game was Violette, who ran herself into the ground and got on the scoresheet.”
Phantoms under-16s boys won a 3-2 thriller against Littleborough Juniors Sharks.
Coach Marc said: “Another win was exactly what we wanted. We were by far the better team and could have put it to bed in the first half, as we had at least 10 chances.
“We played some great football, with waves of attacks. In truth, we played like we had the previous weekend, but in wetter conditions.
“Littleborough scored with a ball over the top and their fast centre forward put away what as their first attempt at goal.
“We carried on attacking and eventually Elliot broke the Sharks’ defence to slot home, to make it 1-1 at half time.
“The second half saw much of the same - we made chances and were still on top. Jamie managed to put us in front with another great finish. Unfortunately, that was soon cancelled out as Sharks equalised with 20 minutes to go.
“The lads fought on and most of the play was in the opposition’s half but Sharks stood firm and seemed to be blocking everything.
“Finally with just a few minutes left, Euan put in a perfect corner which was met by Riley’s head to finish the game off. A great end and a well deserved win.
“Thanks to Reece for covering in nets - he did a great job. Player of the game went to Elliot, who grafted throughout the whole match.”
