Back
Sat 14 Mar 2015
Heaton Mersey U12
Boys U12
9
13
Well...... A win's a win!
Martin Mochan14 Mar 2015 - 12:56
Share via
U12's claw back to beat a spirited Heaton Mersey team
Make no mistake – this was an ugly win! We knew Heaton Mersey would be a potential banana skin as some of our older players travelled to Sheffield to help our U14s whilst other players were away. Compounded by some last minute sickness too this left us with a young 12 man squad. Ali took over the coaching again after his inspired support at last week’s semi-final but this was a different game in so many ways.
We’re used to looking half asleep at the start so an early Heaton Mersey goal was par for the course. The second from the face off and the quick 3rd and 4th threw us into unchartered territory – the boys looks shell-shocked, the coaches were - A time out and some stern words saw Sam then chalk his first on many. 4 – 1 down at Quarter 1.
With none of our basic skills showing, heroic runs ending in failed passes and our inability to win the ground ball Tom was brought into midfield, Jamie shifted to attack. Defence moved to man on man marking – our stall was set and it probably spared our blushes.
In Q2 we scored quickly through Sam before conceding yet another sloppy defensive goal. Ever so slowly eyelids seemed to open, albeit slightly. Ben hit the post and increased pressure saw Sam reduce the deficit to 2 before another fine effort was saved by their keeper.
Heaton Mersey were sharper and stole way for a 6 – 3 lead as our overall gameplay just wasn’t up to scratch – we entered half time 6 -4 down, but perhaps not out.
3 of Heaton Mersey’s players trooped off to a brass band competition at half time, the game changed to 8 aside and this alone probably saved our bacon. Tom and Sam interchanged twice to finally pull us level at 6 – 6 as Ben then hit the post yet again.
Lazy passing saw us concede 2 more in 2 minutes before Ben and Tom dragged us back to 8 – 8. And perhaps this is where we finally showed some nerve. Our more experienced players were starting to grasp the nettle. Ben Tipping continued to fight, Tom proved equally effective in his midfield role and Sam brought calm to the madness. We finally went ahead before allowing an immediate equaliser. We looked determined NOT to win this one.
With 10 minutes to play the lights came on as we moved from 9 – 9 to 13 – 9 in a matter of minutes showing that we have a really good spirit in the team that now needs to be matched by us doing the basics.
So, perhaps every cloud has a silver lining. Today showed that our team for next year still has a long way to go but the boys eventually got there, and like the lottery, our Man of the Match this week is a rollover – enough said!
We’re used to looking half asleep at the start so an early Heaton Mersey goal was par for the course. The second from the face off and the quick 3rd and 4th threw us into unchartered territory – the boys looks shell-shocked, the coaches were - A time out and some stern words saw Sam then chalk his first on many. 4 – 1 down at Quarter 1.
With none of our basic skills showing, heroic runs ending in failed passes and our inability to win the ground ball Tom was brought into midfield, Jamie shifted to attack. Defence moved to man on man marking – our stall was set and it probably spared our blushes.
In Q2 we scored quickly through Sam before conceding yet another sloppy defensive goal. Ever so slowly eyelids seemed to open, albeit slightly. Ben hit the post and increased pressure saw Sam reduce the deficit to 2 before another fine effort was saved by their keeper.
Heaton Mersey were sharper and stole way for a 6 – 3 lead as our overall gameplay just wasn’t up to scratch – we entered half time 6 -4 down, but perhaps not out.
3 of Heaton Mersey’s players trooped off to a brass band competition at half time, the game changed to 8 aside and this alone probably saved our bacon. Tom and Sam interchanged twice to finally pull us level at 6 – 6 as Ben then hit the post yet again.
Lazy passing saw us concede 2 more in 2 minutes before Ben and Tom dragged us back to 8 – 8. And perhaps this is where we finally showed some nerve. Our more experienced players were starting to grasp the nettle. Ben Tipping continued to fight, Tom proved equally effective in his midfield role and Sam brought calm to the madness. We finally went ahead before allowing an immediate equaliser. We looked determined NOT to win this one.
With 10 minutes to play the lights came on as we moved from 9 – 9 to 13 – 9 in a matter of minutes showing that we have a really good spirit in the team that now needs to be matched by us doing the basics.
So, perhaps every cloud has a silver lining. Today showed that our team for next year still has a long way to go but the boys eventually got there, and like the lottery, our Man of the Match this week is a rollover – enough said!
Further reading
Team Sponsors