Oldbury Park Gold Tigers U11 - 3 Westbury Celtic Juniors U11 - 2 13th November 2010 Substitutes: Sinclair, Bowen, McNab, Walters. Dry and sunny relatively warm as we take to the field. We have a full complement of players today and they look a bit more lively than they have in the past couple of weeks so lets hope we get a good result here today. The team is warming up under the instruction of the fitness coach as the manager appears to have got lost on the way here. Westbury are pressing Oldbury hard in the opening minutes with Woodland using his height and strength to trouble the Oldbury defence as he launches his throw ins way over their heads and into he danger area. Westbury have had the better of the play though both teams look fairly evenly matched. Oldbury win a corner and it is nicely taken but no one can get to it and it runs out for a goal kick. Oldbury so far without a win this year but certainly look like they have the firepower. We need to keep our wits about us. Russell is looking very sprightly in the middle of the field picking up the loose ball and creating chances. After a strong run he crosses to Lister who manages to make contact but it was never going to be enough to trouble the goalie. Oldbury counter and is one on one. Howl is out of his goal like a rocket and clears the ball to touch. Oldbury attack again from the throw in but Howl is too good and the attack quenched. Hood looks to make a move from the clearance but pushes his shot wide. Oldbury are starting to get back into the game a bit now and out of nowhere there is a scramble in the Westbury goal with no one taking charge before the ball finds it way past the goalie and into the net. Goal – 1 - 0 to Tigers Woodland Off McNab on Lister is playing like a man possessed and weaves through three players but cannot find a way past the fourth and the attack breaks down. Hood was making a run on the right hand side, if only the team would communicate a bit more. Hood winds up a huge shot and the cross bar is the only thing that stops the ball disappearing into the middle of next week. Price takes a knock and goes down like a sack of spuds. The fans are worried, usually he is back up in an instant but he stays down and has to be carried off and is replaced by Woodland. Westbury play is neat and precise but they lack the finish in the final third of the pitch. Middleton takes a knock and looks to have aggravated a long-standing injury and is replaced by Sinclair. Half Time 1 - 0 to Tigers Russell off Walters on Westbury continue to press and the game has become very enjoyable to watch. Westbury win a corner which is well weighted but floats into the roof of the net. Corner taken by Sinclair and the ball bounces around in the penalty area but does not want to help us today. Westbury need to think about their positions in these set pieces. McNab takes a throw in which is neatly tapped back to him by Sinclair, he lets fly from all of twenty yards and through a sea of legs in the penalty area the ball finds the back of the net. Goal. 1 - 1 Hood off Price on Oldbury squander a chance when their corner kick leaves the pitch for a goal kick straight from the corner flag. Bowen Off Lister on. Sinclair takes another corner but Oldbury have the measure of these plays now and clear it well but only as far as Price who controls the ball well, passes off to Sinclair who runs at the defence, draws them in the releases a perfect cross to Lister who is inches away from the killer touch. Wow that was close. Nice to see the guys passing the ball, it pays dividends in spades. Westbury sense that they have a chance to win this now and really start to turn on the gas. Sinclair off Middleton on. Walters makes a fine cross to Middleton but on his weaker left foot and he cannot convert. Woodland makes a long throw in to Middleton who’s head lets him down and the ball flies over the bar. A corner taken by Lister and Woodland is unstoppable in these positions, dominating the space to head the ball in the back of the net. Oldbury 1 – 2 Westbury Oldbury seem to waken up when the second goal goes in from Westbury. They have renewed strength and are chasing every ball, Westbury on the other hand appear to have lost some of their composure and allow Oldbury to steal one back with only a few minutes left on the clock. Crikey this is going to be close. 2 - 2 Straight from the restart Oldbury, sensing that the game has only seconds to run and Westbury are at sixes and sevens, Oldbury push everyone forward and grab a last gasp winner. What a stinger! Final score Oldbury 3 Westbury 2 Man of the match Walters. Managers Comments A good performance but the result shows that we must make sure that we take our opportunities and make sure that we defend as a team. Although the final result was disappointing, we had good possession and played good football at times. Another game whereby several players deserve a mention, Lister for a good battling performance, Hood for his passing and getting in forward position, Sinclair for his control and desire and McNab for his continued commitment but one player ran his socks off and showed great speed and control, well done Walters, you deserve it.