After last weeks demolition of Clarence and the request from the league to replace Ramsbottom in the “A” Division the Under 13’s, for the second time in 2 weeks kicked off the 2010-11 season.

 

This week we made the long trip up to Whitworth Valley. Before the game we knew nothing about Whitworth so the lads had been told at training to make sure they were up for it and have a good nights sleep and make sure they were refreshed and ready to go. As we were kicking off at 9.30 this meant that John actually had to get up earlier than a normal school morning so the internet Police (Danny on facebook) was out last night. He snared a few of the lads still up at midnight so a start on the bench was guaranteed for a few.

 

After last weeks massive pitch this was the complete opposite. On a pitch that was not likely to suit our expansive play we would really have to knuckle down and play in a manner that doesn’t really suit us. In addition to the size the playing surface left a lot to be desired and the use of a lawnmower was definitely needed.

 

The boys were told that they would need to make sure that a) the didn’t take too many touches otherwise they would be closed down and b) put enough on the pass to get it through the long grass.  The team had a few changes to it from last week (due to the Internet police) so Regan got to make his debut along side Mason in the middle with Tom on the left and Dom on the right. The back 4 was as last week and Charlie and Joe started up front.

 

Before kick off we found out that Whitworth were runners up last season but I am not sure if this was the A or B division so we would need to be up for this from the off. 

 

The game was just 2 minutes old and Unsworth looked at home (even if we were away) playing an A division side. A nice move up the left ended with the away team taking an early lead with Tom adding to the 3 he scored last week. We looked like the stronger team and on 8 minutes there was some great play from Dom down the right and his cross was met at the back with Tom making it 2-0. Is there any stopping this goal machine? Yes was the answer. With a few subs being made Unsworth lost their shape and the middle of the park was crammed. It really looked like a swarm of bees chasing the ball instead of 4-4-2. In addition to loosing our shape we reverted to trying to communicate via telepathy! Lads, this does not work but opening your cake hole and screaming at someone generally does. The back 4 for a change looked a little nervy and Rob and Oliver didn’t look at their best. Before long the home team looked back in the game as they pulled one back to make it 2-1.

 

With John and Danny a little lost for words the lads did manage to pull it together a bit. We were scrambling about but we managed to break up the right and the ball was crossed into the box, this time with enough power to get there. A mix up in the Whitworth defence saw the ball drop to Joe’s feet to make it 3-1. We were back with a healthy two goal lead but before long Whitworth pulled one back. A poor bit of play on the right left Whitworth with a free kick 20+ yards out. Yes, you guessed right, a screamer over Ethan and they were now looking up for it. We managed to battle through to half time with the score being 3-2 to us.

 

A very stern talking to was needed and it seemed to pay off. We went back out and we looked a lot more like our normal selves. We were winning the ball with out too much effort and this time were weighting the passes properly. We were talking (a bit) and not taking those extra touches and with all this coming together we were putting the home team under constant pressure. We were camped out in the home teams half and the break came. From a poor goal kick the ball fell to Khol  about 25 yards out. One touch to control and the volley flew into the back of the net, 4-2. 

 

The home team seemed lost as we came at them in waves and when they did get the ball the defence (Rob and Oliver seemed back to normal) coped very well. We continued to apply pressure and from a break on the right the ball feel to Dom in a very crowded box who struck it sweetly and with a bit of a deflection it was 5-2. The best team goal of the game (Khol yours was the best individual one) was left to last. Some really great play from Luke at the back who played a great 1-2 with Liam down the right. Liam got round the back after a lovely pass from Luke and the ball was crossed into the Whitworth box to see Tom tap in to score his third. Two hat tricks in two games is not bad! 

 

The ref blew up and the season once again gets off with a win. Scorers Tom 3, Dom 1, Joe1 and Khol 1.

 

Next week we play Bridge who as far as I know are a very good team and beat Whitworth 8-1 last week.

 

Well done today lads. You ground out a very good result today and next week we get to play on a much bigger pitch at home, but this should to prove to be a much tougher test for us. Kick off will be 10.30. Get there for 10.10am as we don’t need to get the nets up

 

Training this week is Wednesday 6-7.30pm at Hillock