Sunday 2 March February '08   

Altrincham & District U19s   League Match

Wilmslow Sports v Beechwood

In our 4th encounter with Beechwood (drew 3:3 at home, lost 5:0 away, won 5:4 at home in the cup) it was vital we secured all 3 points to keep our chances of second spot in the league alive.

A surprise greeted us in the changing rooms, namely a flood & no ceiling! However, the game began well with StJon Clement wasting no time to register our 1st goal within a minute of the kick off.

3 minutes later, a further goal looked certain, but the ref deemed the ball had not crossed the line after Kevin Banana drilled the ball between defenders after a goalmouth scramble.

This lively beginning continued with Wilmslow seeing most of the possession. Banana went close again after sliding in to beat the advancing Beechwood goal keeper.

Then, 10 minutes in, Ash Holt made it 2:0 after smashing the ball through a crowd from close range. Some good work down both flanks saw us begin to dominate the game, then after 23minutes Midfielder Matt Gillings added a right foot goal, guiding the ball home from the right hand side of goal to give us a comfortable 3:0 cushion.

With central defenders Dodd and Taylor keeping the Beechwood attack at bay, supported by Pascall and Wild, the game looked in our control. Bond and Butler were at the heart of some excellent work in midfield, Bond showing some superb touches, but a feeling of deja vu reminded us of our 3:0 to 3:3 draw 1st time we met.

With the game seeming in our control, we needed to keep the pressure up with no costly errors. Beechwood had their moments, and went close more than once, but Keeper Dave Hawes was on fine form.

On 35 minutes, a Beechwood through-pass hit a divot as Hawes advanced, the ball slowed down for their danger man to reach it first,  just before the Wilmslow keeper could collect. The shot flew past him, but quick reactions from Matt Dodd saw him chase back and clear the ball around the post when a goal looked a definite.

Beechwood - who never give up the fight, continued to compete and scored on 37 minutes for 3:1. Buoyed by their goal, further chances followed, and 2 minutes later they reduced the deficit to one goal a minute from the interval, and all to play for in the second half.

HT 3 : 2

With some players carrying injuries and only one available substitute - we needed to consider carefully any changes in personnel, but the game was still in our control provided we kept our cool.

48 minutes into the match and StJon Clement curled over a nice cross which was cleared, but only as far as Tez Butler who sent his shot just wide. A moment of class and comedy followed as Ash Holt cleverly flicked the ball over a defender, rounded his man, then from close range, sent his shot just over the bar when a great goal looked certain. StJon Clement continued his good work with several great runs.

After a good performance, Holt was replaced by an eager Ross Ellison on 62 minutes, who made his presence felt immediately with some tenacious tackling.

On 67 minutes a further Wilmslow goal was added through Andy Taylor who headed home from a Butler cross to restore a 2 goal cushion for 4:2.

Ellison played a good ball for Banana who worked tirelessly throughout. Clement sent in a decent shot but too near the keeper, Banana also hit a left foot strike to go close. A cross was met by Andy Taylor, who stooped to head just wide as the ball dipped before reaching him.

Beechwood continued to probe and a goal now would surely lift them and raise doubts for us. Wilmslow held on well until on 45 minutes, Beechwood scored from a corner to take the game to 4:3. To everyone's surprise, the ref then announced 3 minutes would be added giving us a few scary moments.

In the last seconds of the game, Mike Pascall did a "Matty Dodd" clearing a certain equaliser off the line. On 94 minutes the whistle was finally blown to give us the 3 points.

A great game once again, with both sides contributing to the entertainment, but a fair result - all things considered.

Full Time 4 : 3
 
Team:Hawes:   Pascall, Taylor, Dodd, Wild:   Bond, Butler, Gillings,
Holt:    Banana, Clement.

Goals: Clement 1, Holt 1, Gillings 1, Taylor 1

Subs: Ellison (on for Holt 61).

Star man: Matt Dodd              

Ref: Mel Gibbons