KO 6.30 - CLJFL U12 A League.
Tuesday 20 April 2010

Scorers Ashford (2), Hayes, Hurst

First of the end of season mid-weekers saw us play Gregson Lane at Walton-le-Dale High School. We had a few more players than on Sunday with Galloway back after illness and Matthews back after a holiday, but Vassallo was still stranded in Malta because of volcanic ash.

Despite the extra players we started with the same line up that did so well on Sunday. The weather was sunny but cold and windy and we kicked off playing into the wind and sun.

Within a few minutes we had taken the lead with a cute through ball to Ashford who slipped his marker to skilfully finish. After that it was all Gregson Lane as they used their strength, the following wind and low sun to bombard us with high balls. We were on the back foot and under pressure and eventually GL grabbed their equaliser with a high wind assisted shot that came out of the sun and over Millsy’s capless head. The bombardment continued as we struggled to get hold of the ball to mount meaningful attacks. GL were using their height advantage to good effect at corners and only good keeping and defending kept them out.

GL then took the lead after a great move down their right hand side found the ball worked into our penalty area where an alert forward finished. We looked tired (as Terry put it the lads looked like they’d just done a hard 17 hour shift at work!) and I was hoping to keep the score at 2-1 at half time. Galloway came on for Martindale to see if we could wrestle control away from the GL mid field.

Report by Graham Galloway - Manager U12's