Under 14's.

Sunday 27th October 2011 - Home v Inter Cheadle East

  Result - Woodley Albion 5 Inter Cheadle East 1

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Match Report: Mike Lamont (Manager)

The most pleasing performance of the season to date saw us overcome our toughest competition in the clash of the 2 unbeaten teams in Division 4.

 The game was played in a near cyclone with the wind at our backs in the first half and the key was to play some great football on the floor in both halves. Straight from the kick off a great through ball from Brandon found Rudgie and his shot was narrowly wide. We continued to push forward and play some good football and thoroughly deserved our first goal. It came at the right moment in the game and from a corner which was perfectly delivered by Louis not for the last time in the game. The ball landed at Danny's feet who rifled the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net with a great team celebration that followed.

 We talked about the importance of scoring first and at this stage of the game we were totally on top and I thought we would go on and score the all important next goal. 2 more corners from Louis hit the spot and from one a fantastic glancing header from Danny was expertly saved by the keeper who turned it onto the bar and followed it with "one for the cameras". To be fair if it wasn't for him the score would have been even more comfortable. The next corner went narrowly wide and it was wave after wave from us at this stage. The back 4 was looking solid but this was the first time we had faced real pace and down the wings they did get behind us. they had created nothing to trouble us until their left winger picked up the ball cut inside and was brought down in the box. The penalty was tucked away for 1-1 and we needed to dig deep to get back into the game.

 This we continued to do for the rest of the half and from a move soon later Danny sent a great shot that again the keeper pushed onto the bar. Franco was covering midfield well but shots seemed to radar into the keepers hands but at least we were finding the target. Zach was man marking as we had directed and Reece was fairing better with some advice. Brandon and Louis kept a great line at the back and we didn't do the obvious and just launch it down the pitch with the wind at our backs but played it well out of defence.

 At half time we talked about the need to continue to play good football and pleasingly we actually improved the level in the second half. We also played better against the wind and kept the ball low and passed neatly. Franco had the first chance of the half and again his effort hit the bar, slightly lost count but think that was the 5th time in the game. We also raised our game and had a bit more bite about us in the second half with our tackling and marking which was good.

 The breakthrough came about 15 minutes in and James found himself in the box with 3 players around him and he turned excellently and managed to squeeze the ball inside the post past the keeper with a great finish 2-1. This was the turning point and we never looked back and pressed even more with a series of corners. From one of these the ball landed in the 6 yard box for Franco to rifle the ball into the roof of the net for 3-1. Tom gave way following a great stint on the wing and Nathan worked the right well having replaced Andy who had also added to the football being played. Josh came on and did exactly what was asked of him replacing Reece who had been solid facing a tricky quick winger. The lads up front had worked tirelessly and Rudgie got his reward when played through from midfield and sent the ball looping high over the keepers head with a fantastic finish to make it 4-1. Ross went on to shore up the midfield and David took a staring role up front to replace Danny. With almost his first touch he curled a looping shot over the keeper with a great finish and we rounded off the game at 5-1.

 Think it's fair to say that the rest of the league will see this result and be fearful of playing us in the second half of the season but we must make sure we don't let the very high standards we have already set slip and continue with our great run of results for as long as possible. A great team performance and I have thought long and hard about the Man of the Match award this week. I thought Brandon and Louis have developed a Ferdinand and Vidic in their prime relationship and Franco and James are commanding the majority of midfields. Rudgie and Danny are working so well together especially on their defensive play that we always emphasise.

 I hope that the lads remember the feeling after the game as it should serve us well in the future, they deserved their celebrations.

 I spoke to the Cheadle Manager briefly after the game and he congratulated us on a tough battle for them and the standard of our passing and approach play particularly from Midfield which he hasn't seen for a long time he commended us on. It would be easy for me this week to state "the whole team" should win it !! But for a terrific second half display this weeks Man of the Match goes to Franco.
 
Man of the Match award - Franco.