Under 14's.

Sunday 23rd October 2011 - Home v Hale United

  Result - Woodley Albion 7 Hale United 1

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Match Report: Rob Hodge (Temporary while Mike is on a foreign beach topping up his tan)

Hello everyone, I have been asked by Mike to do a match report for this game while he is away.
Dave was back in a coaching role today as stand in Manager assisted by Howard, and a great job they did too.

After the last game against Hale United which was a tough fought 1 - 0 win, we were expecting another tough one today.
From the off we went straight forward from the whistle. Within the first 5 minutes we could see some quality passing and moving developing,
indeed this led to our first quick goal on 7 minutes, Nathan running the right wing dropped a perfect pass just in front of Will who was at least 20 yards out, he hit a good strike on the turn, heading goal bound and what looked like an easy save, the keeper fumbled and in it went. 1 - 0.
Hale had chances, in particular they were dangerous from corners but their finishing let them down. They had a clean chance with their striker only 2 yards out but he miss hit it to go wide of Jake, who must get a mention, he was as tight as a drum again today and claimed everything at the back.

We were imposing ourselves on the game as the half went on, good little battles in Midfield, Ross had a good game in the heart of it as did James
who was outstanding and did a brilliant job in the absence of Franco.
Danny had some good runs up the left side putting in crosses, a bit more accuracy and Will would have been on them in a flash.

Hale get another break and looked to be away but their man was brought down which looked like a penalty but no says the ref.
Hale look to be coming back into it with some good play and they were dominant to be fair in parts of this half, however our defenders did a great job
keeping things tidy at the back. We again took control and the chances were coming. Great play down the right side and again passing and moving
looked fantastic, probably the best so far this season, the lads were looking up for options before laying the ball off rather than just hit and hope,
it showed excellent awareness and vision.

Will has another shot well saved from the keeper, James hit over the bar. Danny makes a great cross from the left to Will who hits on the turn to again test the keeper. Excellent football all round.

Our 2nd and 3rd goals was a typical example of how good the forward players were looking up, passing and moving. Danny crosses from the left to Will in the middle, Will passes to Nath on his right, Will goes forward to make the triangle and again an inch perfect pass from Nath right into Will in his stride and smack, its in the net. Top quality by any standards and was a joy to watch. Then, played from the back sees James make a pass to his right where Nathan is on the halfway line, he looks up, sees Danny tearing down the middle and plays another perfect ball right in front of his feet, the pass takes 4 Hale players out of the game and leaves Danny to strike it cleanly home, superb football.

Hale still worked hard and still had their moments and made a break, our back 4 switched off for a second after looking comfy and Hale pop one in, which was a bobbled affair in the 6 yard box but finished nicely with nothing Jake could do. We had a couple more efforts in the closing minutes of this half, James hits a free kick but a little slip on the run up means a miss hit but ends the half going forward. Half time 3 -1 Woodley.

Hale looked to have the first few minutes of the second half but it wasn't long before we took control again. A shot from Danny again but easy for the keeper. David's arrival on the left wing added more threat on the flanks, as if Hale hadn't already had enough! As usual he ran at his defenders and got his crosses in, he even has a crack himself which is just high but great effort. Chances thick and fast now, Nath hits a volley just wide and he has another shot saved by their keeper from a beauty of a pass from James who was on fire by this point in the game.
James crosses for Danny who slipped before he unleashed his shot.

Our 4th goal again was all about the movement and passing, James crosses from the left side, right into the danger area of the 6 yard box and
Danny catches it on the Volley, hooking it in from 6 yards with another great finish, 4 - 1.

Loads more half chances for us developed but it was the football being played from all the lads that was special. Another goal was imminent and once again Nath lobbed a pass from the centre circle, over everyone and right into the path of a running Danny straight down the middle of the 18 yard box and finished cleanly, 5 - 1.
Will took a knock from a frustrated Hale player and came off replaced by Tom who filled in very well. Reece looked to be having a good game today too. Everything Hale had, our Midfield and the back 4 cleaned it up, I cant remember anything getting past our defender Zac today.
We continued with the passing and moving with Nath and James now knocking little one - two's about with confidence and James hitting another
over the bar, but the same movement brings our next goal, James again, 6 - 1.

Hale gave us some more pressure late on but a weak shot gave Jake no trouble at all. Brandon off, he had done his job well, as usual.
Matthew comes on and keeps everything tidy working with Lewis and Josh.
 
Our last goal was a minter! From a throw in, the ball is high, inside the 18 yard box, James turns, left foot, on the volley and it goes in the right top corner, a Rooney style goal and no mistake! 7 -1.

Last 10 minutes and Hale heads were finally going down and they looked tired and frustrated but give their lads credit, they carried on having a good go and they defended well, we could have stuck 10 in today but they really did well keeping our confident forwards at bay.

Brilliant performance by everyone and we retain our 100% record with some style. All the lads should be very proud of themselves.
Jake and the defence looked in control and smooth. The midfielders were dominant and the forwards were rampant.

The hardest part of this report is choosing a Man of the match! So I named a few then bottled out and left it with Dave!
 
It was suggested we give it to all the lads, but we know the lads look forward to this award and winning a medal.
Anyone could have had it, Jake was cool, Brandon was hardly tested, Zac was brilliant.
Matt and Josh were superb. Nathans passing and awareness was a joy and Tom battled hard in midfield.
Danny and Will up front were clinical, and without Franco in the heart of the midfield, James was ruthless!
It's very easy to give Man of the match to goal scorers, but sometimes it's the hard work other players put in to make them goals happen.

So... the Managers choice was Nathan.
His passing was near perfection, he set up 4 of our goals with killer balls that split Hale United wide open for our strikers to finish, and my personal thoughts are that his early running, passing and movement between Himself, James, Will and Danny set the tone of the game.
I'm sure all who watched this game would agree with the choice looking back on how our goals were set up. 
If there was enough Man of the match medals, every single player would have deserved one each today!
My apologies if I haven't mentioned you by name in this report, I unfortunately don't know who every player was in the match by name.
 
 Next week, Away to Chapel Town, wrap up.. it looks like a cold day over there.
Mike will be still away but Dave and Howard will be at the helm again until Mike's return.
Franco and Nathan are on holiday and possibly myself so I wont be at the Chapel Town game, so someone else may have to take control of the match report and tabs on the goals and scorers and, Man of the match... any offers? Email me Click here >>

Well done guys, - Rob
 
Man of the match award.
His passing was near perfection and his running and movement between Himself, James, Will and Danny set the tone of the game. - Nathan Hodgkins.