Witton Albion JFC

Match day sixteen of the league season was an away trip to play Grappenhall Sports U12 Lightning. The early morning rain cleared and the sun came out to provide perfect conditions for an entertaining game of football. The pitch whilst being smaller than we usually play on was in excellent condition for this time of year and facilitated good passing by both teams.

By coincidence we also played Grappenhall Lightning on the 20th January last year in a game where we lost 3:8, so the need to avoid complacency was stressed to the players before kick-off.

The Warriors made a strong start to the game with good early possession but fell behind against the run of play in the 4th minute from a Grappenhall break away. However it didn’t take too long to get back on level terms. After 7 minutes a throw-in by Harley deep in the Grappenhall half found Harry in the box who turned and hit an angled shot on the half valley into the far corner of the goal. 1:1.

Grappenhall were conceding possession to the Warriors but at the same time Grappenhall were defending very well in numbers to blunt the Warriors early goal scoring opportunities. Grappenhall also looked dangerous on the counter attack keeping the Warriors defence busy.

In the 16th minute Grappenhall took the lead again. A corner from the right was headed past Mason. 1:2.

Going behind a second time sparked the Warriors into action. Ciaran could have equalised straight away when he found himself unmarked in the area but his shot was well saved. Two minutes later the equaliser came. Finn knocked an awesome pass down the left touchline to Robbie, who cut in beating two defender and scored a super goal. 2:2.

The Warriors took the lead in the 25th minute. From a Grappenhall corner the Warriors counter-attacked. Ewean sprinted down the right and crossed into the box and the ball found an in rushing Robbie at the far post who stabbed the ball over the line. 3:2.

It is not unusual for the Warriors to score goals in quick succession. One minute later the lead was extended when Ewean scored a solo goal. Following an unsuccessful defensive clearance by Grappenhall, Ewean scored with a low shot across the keeper.

The Warriors quickly scored again. A goal kick by the Grappenhall keeper fell to Ciaran who returned a shot from outside the area. The keeper saved with his feet but Robbie followed in to score his hat-trick.

Just before the half-time whistle the Warriors scored again. Harry won the ball back in midfield and passed out wide to Ewean who in turn crossed to Robbie at the far post and he scored his fourth goal. 6:2.

The four goals in the 5 minutes before half-time killed off the Grappenhall threat.

Half-time 6:2.

There was a slow start to the second half as the tempo of the game dipped. In the 39th minute Ewean crossed to Liam at the far post but he shot just wide of the goal. Following this in the 43rd minute a virtually identical offensive move was this time converted by Liam. 7:2.

To be fair to Grappenhall their players stuck to their task and didn’t let their heads drop. Grappenhall scored a deserved third goal when an attacker burst through the Warriors defensive line and scored with a shot past Mason.

Lucas scored a spectacular goal in the 45th minute with a curling shot from distance following good work by Ewean. 8:3.

The goal scoring continued. With 10 minutes remaining a long pass by Finn down the Warriors left, put Harry through for a run from his own half, with the Grappenhall defenders trailing he scored with a drilled shot into the goal. 9:3.

Three minutes later Grappenhall scored a 4th goal following persistent pressing of the Warriors defence. 9:4.

The goal scoring was concluded by Harry two minutes from time. A defencing clearance by the Warriors was controlled by Harry with his back to goal. He turned the defenders and sprinted clear to score his hat-trick.

Man of the match went to Harry who put in a powerful performance capped off with three goals.

Next week’s match is away to Moss Rose Juniors Silks.