Under 14's.

Sunday 29th January 2012 - Away v Hattersley

  Result - Woodley Albion 2 Hattersley 1

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Match Report: Mike Lamont (Manager)

 Back in to league action with a trip to the "famous" Hattersley pitch. The surface was made for good football but was too tight for our normal flowing football from end to end. We talked before the game about not getting carried away by our previous weeks performance and ensuring we battled hard and did our jobs well.

 The opening was very scrappy but we soon had a good command on possession and an early raid saw the ball fall inside the box on the right to Liam whose shot hit the side netting. He did well in a strange position for him and did well to get into the box.

 Without really putting us under pressure the ball bobbled far too often in Midfield and in front of the back four but fullbacks Matt and Zach did well defensively and used the ball well in front of them.

 Brandon was solid with Chris alongside and it would take something special for them to break us down. On 30 mins that's exactly what happened when their tricky winger took a chance and launched a 30 harder from the touchline that somehow looped over Jake and under the bar. I had feared the potential for us losing this game but the lads once again showed their character and went straight at them. 

Our best chance of the half came with Andy sent clear following another mazey run by James and he was narrowly wide with his effort. Ross slotted in well following an injury to Franco but half time was needed to regroup a bit and change a few things around.

 The second half started much better (Jake and I still scratch our heads over our away day syndrome!) and James really stepped up to the plate with a great running performance if the final result was missing. David was finding some great space on the left and played some great triangles with Danny, Rudgie and James. One of these passing moves resulted in a fantastically glided ball into the box from David and this resulted in an enforced corner. From the corner James managed to squeeze a fierce shot through the crowd and as the keeper fumbled Rudgie did what I always ask our forwards to do which is to anticipate a howler from the keeper and hopefully one day you get on the end of them. This wasn't a howler but Rudgie was there and forced the ball over the line for a well deserved equaliser.

 Another attack shortly after saw a great effort from Ross sting the keepers hands. 

Once we scored heads lifted further and following Franco's return to the pitch for the first time we took control and he, alongside James, Danny and David influenced our attacking play with Louis and Brandon strong as ever at the back. We looked more solid as a unit and any sniff of a chance at our end of the pitch saw Brandon really solid for the second week running.  

It looked likely that we would go on and win the game and a good move broke down and the ball landed at Franco's feet and as he sidestepped 2 defenders he send a rasping shot from outside the box through a crowd of players and was worthy of winning any game.  

A few late scares that Jake kept out well and again his kicking put pressure on the opposition, a good solid performance. 

For his efforts over 2 weeks and in particular for today's solid last ditch tackling, great vision to the midfield and defending well at corners Brandon thoroughly deserved his Man of the Match Award this week. A great performance which now puts a bit of fresh air between the top 2 and mid table.  

For those who weren't there at training on Weds, as coach Jake will have some weds commitments coming up I have asked Luke Pannett to assist me over the coming weeks. He is lifelong Woodley Albion player having finished a few years ago. His dad ran a Woodley team that he played in and he has now qualified as an FA Coach and runs an under 10's coaching school. The lads seemed to warm to him last week so I am hoping he settles in quickly, he has a lot to add to training the lads going forward.
See you all on Weds and thanks to the guys who weren't picked in the squad for coming to support the team. 

Cheers Mike
 
Man of the Match award - Brandon.