With all our games completed except for our final and upcoming tournaments weve arranged a number of friendlies starting with a game against the winners of Group B, Ashton On Mersey Maestros. We told the boys that thery needed to show the right attitude in these games to ensure we will be ready for our big day.
The game started off with Maestros in the ascendency as we struggled to get a foothold in the game. Our passing wasnt at the level we expect and our workrate wasnt where it needed to be or what we expect. Daniel was in excellent form in goal, sweeping up any through balls by being alert and having a fantastic starting position. Thomas Dy and Thomas M were again commanding at the back. Captain Thomas H had started in central midfield and was showing his usual level of competitiveness and drive, with Nathan and Thomas Da working hard on the flanks and Flynn looking to play off the shoulder of the last defender. We just needed to show a little more composure when we had the ball and improve our decision making in the final third. As the half wore on Maestros started to struggle on our big pitch which gave us more space and time to move the ball around. From such a move we took the lead with a fabulous long range hit from Thomas Da which flew over their keeper into the top corner of the net to give us a 1-0 lead at half time.
We told the boys that they could either make the second half easy for themselves by going out with the right attitude, winning their personal battles and playing as a team or make it difficult by starting the second half as they had done in the first !!! From the kick off the boys showed their quality, Thomas H was causing havoc by playing further forward with Ryan back in centre midfield and max working hard on the left and Thomas Da working his socks off upfront. We were unlucky not to increase our lead when from a Thomas H corner Ryan was brave to get in front of the keepers attempted punch but his header just clearted the crossbar. Thomas M was also unlucky not to score from another excellently delivered corner as we started to take full control of the game. We were dominant all over the pitch and although we needed to be aware of their counter attacks it was only a matter of time before we got the second, which came when after a superb passing move the ball found the feet of Thomas H who finished in style to put us 2-0 up. Maestros heads dipped a little and our boys were in no mood to take it easy. Pearse had a wonderful chance to increase our lead but their keeper made a great save. On Maestros rare attacks Daniel made a couple of good saves and also played superbly as a sweeper when the ball was knocked over the top to start us going forward again. The third goal was a beauty, with Ryan playing a lovely ball into Thomas H just outside the area and he smashed the ball in the bottom corner with a wonderful strike. The scoring was finished off by our ace marksman Flynn with a fine piece of individual skill after another excellent incisive passing move. The 4-0 final scoreline was probably a fair reflection of the quality of the two teams and their management team were very complimentary about our boys. We wished them all the best for their final, also on the 15th, when they play Sale Utd Storm, who we are playing on the 11th May, again in a friendly.
All the boys played well and everyone had a good run out, but for his excellent performance and positioning the Man of the Match was awarded to Daniel Williamson.
We have a 9-a-side game next Wednesday 4th May against the 'North of Manchester' U10s Champions, Failsworth Villa, at home, kick off 7pm.
