Garforth 11 A side U11s - Division 1, 27th November 2005 This week Pannal Ash U11’s travelled away to meet a very promising team with an excellent reputation.. With parents, grand parents, brothers and sisters shivering on the side lines (and the nearest coffee stand miles away) Pannal under 11s needed a strong performance to make up for the lack of bacon butties. After dispatching the 2nd place team last week coach Neil Reeney was adamant his team must maintain a strong push at the top of the league to ensure his team could emulate the pace setting form of his beloved Sheffield United. This week's 2nd place team Colton Juniors were out to do the league a favour by bursting the bubble - and they proved a very stern test indeed… With manager Steve Rowbottom naming two polar bears as subs and a couple of penguins looking on in these North Pole like conditions, the scene was once again set for a great game of 11 a side junior football. The game started very brightly with both teams showing signs of talented football. Jake “the riot” was the first to pull the trigger early on with a great strike from 20 yards but his shot crept just wide. Pannal continued to push forward with good work from the ever impressive Jordan “the Rock” in the centre of the park but, as with the previous week, they were just shy of finding the final touch in the last third to capitalise. In the mean time Colton were not allowing Pannal to have it all their own way. Dom “the Wall” had to be very brave to leave his line and clear at the feet of a very determined Colton forward. Colton were continually working their socks off to break down any silky football Pannal tried and continually cut off the supply to the wide men. Pannal were been forced into the middle and started to get bunched. They were finding it increasingly difficult. As the supporting penguins teeth began to chatter (do penguins have teeth ??) Pannal began to find their touch. Many a corner came and went unpunished due to poor delivery but the breakthrough finally came. With typical strength and persistence down the right Louie “the Power” managed to centre the ball where a late arriving Jordan fired the ball into the net. “The Rocks” third in two games with “the Power” adding another assist to his growing tally. A strong move and a great goal. Half time beckoned and in a half that Pannal were the better team they deserved their lead. The second half was different all together. Colton came out of the blocks at pace. Wave after wave of attacks came flooding into the Pannal half and it was real Alamo stuff. This was the first time this season that the Pannal defence had come under such relentless pressure. As you’d expect from this team everybody pulled their weight in defending the lead but Pannal could not get out their own half.. Harry “Real fine” was having his best game of the season at right back and nothing was getting past Joe “the Wizard” on the left. The central defenders of Greg “Magnificent” and Will “the vision” were collecting all that Colton could throw forward to complete a very impressive defensive performance. However Colton just wouldn’t lie down. A free kick conceded just outside the box was fired in against the post with “the Wall” looking particularly unfazed by it (must have had it covered !). Many corners were slung in and were met with typical defiance from the lads. Five minutes before the end Pannal were able to wrap the game up. A quick break away found “the Power” down the right and his exquisite centre found Felix “Pacey” in space 15 yards out. A quick turn and a lash of the right foot and the ball was taking the pegs out of the back of the net. 2 – 0……… Another cracker from Pacey to further empty his dad's wallet ! Another victory and Pannal march on. No sign of this bubble bursting and continued praise from opposition managers. The last 2 teams played have both said the same thing - “no weaknesses anywhere in the team, every lad comfortable on the ball and silky football provided when needed winning the day..” 100% record remains in tact. Played 6, won 6, scored 30 conceded 5. 6 point gap at the top of the top maintained. Andy Whiteley | 
