U13's 5 v Highfield Grange Rangers 2
This was a very good performance against a team who never gave up from first to last whistle and who are a credit to Paul King and his coach. Highfield took an early lead after 5 minutes as a corner was swung into the near post and evaded Crawford and Hamilton and crept in the goal.
This awoke Billinge and we stormed back with a Sinnott shot from 35 yards, which was just over the bar. The first goal came from a great threaded pass by Bradshaw to Frederick who took the ball on the half volley and lobbed the keeper from 18 yards. The second goal came after Frederick won the ball on the right and smashed a looping shot over the keepers head into the far corner with Leyland following up but the ball had already crossed the line.
Highfield came back and had a shot from the edge of the area, which Hamilton parried round the post. Two minutes later Bradders went on a mazy run and hit a drive, which was well held by the Highfield keeper. Within a minute Leyland was put clean through by player of the month Sinnott but just could not loft the ball over the keeper. A minute later Chris hit a drive which Hamilton saved well and from the resultant kick straight to Bibby the ball was played forward to Bradders who unleashed a fantastic shot over the keepers head into the net as he cut in from the left.
Half Time 3-1
Second half change brought on Rooke for Leyland and after 39 minutes he was on the score sheet again with a smart turn and spin from a Frederick ball and as Rooke saw the keepers position he looked up and placed the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the goal to make it 4-1.
Four minutes later man of the Match Barron, who was playing neat tidy and effective football and working hard defensively too, played a great ball in across the face of goal and Rooke, with a defender closing in, smashed the ball goal bound only to see the keeper running back across goal gather it gratefully.
After 50 minutes Highfield were awarded a free kick, which King smashed into the roof of the net, which was simply too good for Hamilton. Eight minutes later a Bradbury free kick aimed at the top left corner of the Highfield goal just drifted wide. Anderson and Owen then came on for Frederick and Sinnott and it was an Anderson Volley from a Leyland corner with Leyland back on the Pitch for Bradbury, which sealed the points.
This was a very fluid and tenacious performance against a team who will never lie down against anybody and we had to work very hard for all five goals today with Mike Attwood again excellent for Highfield