Division 1 Garforth U11 11 a side League, 19/03/06 With the opportunity to win the league taken away by the weather last week, Pannal Ash were itching to go. They feel so close, they deserve to be so close after a stunning season, to winning the championship and this week it was the turn of the tough Colton Juniors to try and stop the runaway leaders. | "Could the boys keep the 100% record in tact and take another giant step towards the winning line?" | |
Colton had proved a difficult test in the first half of the season with Pannal only winning 2 – 0 so this was never going to be a walk in the park. Could the boys keep the 100% record intact and take another giant step towards the winning line? As with many games this season Pannal failed to get started within the first 10 minutes. Passes were going astray, the ball was not kept under control and there was certainly no sign of any flowing football. Normally, the team settles down, but not in this half. Colton could sense the unrest, and with the help of the slight downhill slope and wind on their backs took the fight to the home side. It might not have been pretty by Colton but it was certainly effective. Colton simply ran midfield. The visiting numbers 11 and 14 were all too often left unchallenged whenever Pannal tried to clear the ball and they simply just kept re-applying the relentless pressure. The ball just kept coming back in. Generally Colton relied on lifting the ball over the heads of the defence and trying to exploit the pace of their front men and on 20 mins the ploy was nearly rewarded. Although the ball finished in the back of the net the Colton lad had strayed off side and the hawk eyed linesman was bang on the mark with his flag. Pannal could only muster the odd bit of quality that the faithful fans are used to seeing week in week out. A scintillating run by left back “The Wizard” Whiteley saw him dance past 4 Colton defenders but the cross was unfortunately blocked on the by line. If he’d gone down under some “spirited” challenges throughout the run the ref would have been under some pressure to give a penalty. Alas, no action needed, and no reward for pretty much the only meaningful attack the home team could rustle up... There were too many home players hiding in this half, not enough guys willing to stand up to the plate. Pannal had been bullied, fairly bullied, out of it and did well to go in 0 – 0 at half time.. The 2nd half started slightly better for the home side. At least now the ball was spending some time on the floor and passes were starting to be put together. But, after about 10mins of the half it was the visitors who took the lead. Another Colton long ball was pumped forward down the middle and was misjudged by the defence. This time Colton were first to the bouncing ball and it was calmly slotted into the corner. 1 – 0 Pannal under the cosh. This must have been what Pannal had been waiting for. Now they started to play. Don’t get me wrong, not vintage Pannal Ash by any stretch of the imagination but at least they got near to the opposition goal. Four or five excellent chances were thwarted by some good goalkeeping, last ditch defending or uncharacteristic poor finishing. The boys simply never got into to gear and paid for it. The final whistle went and the 100% record was gone… So after winning 12 out of 12 the boys couldn't manage 13. No-one can remember the last time these boys failed to score. So congratulations to Colton on being the team to end the run. Question is can these lads bounce back? Still comfortably top of the top. Now Played 13, Won 12, LOST 1 !! For 55 against 11. Andy | 
