Parrswood Celtic Seconds 1-4 Mellor Seconds
Match report provided by Second Team Manager Rob White:
Parrs wood reserves for the last couple of seasons, have challenged Whalley Range reserves for the title, and Mellor have always had very tough games against, so going into the first game of season meant the season would start off on a key game and provide us with an opportunity to make a real statement for the season ahead, if we are to be successful. Following a team meeting the week prior, it was clear the team are determined to be successful this year and the appetite was clear with the squad available and all arriving on time and in an organisated fashion. However the new look management team encountered some nerves when ‘greeny’ sent the txt at 1.25 asking ‘where are we playing’ ‘what is the postcode’. Keeper’s have always been special and Greeny is no different. This was the only blip in the preparation for the game.
The team made a great start to the game, getting the ball down and playing fast paced, simple football. Working the ball through the midfield and switching play when the opportunity was there. This is exactly how the first goal was created, from left flank to the right and through strategic guidance from the side line, Jerome drove at goal and lifted the ball over the keeper ‘nani esk’ into the net. The team then relaxed and started to move the ball about well, it was at this point that Tez boon, decided to put his foot on the ball 20 yards from our goal and wait for the striker to make a run towards our goal before he weighted the ball perfectly back to green for the opposition striker to run onto it before it got there and make the game 1-1. It was also at this point in the game the management team realised the opposition only had 10 men. However the team responded well, especially Kuehl who was pitched against the oppositions best player. He stuck to his job well and grounded him down like a wife of 10yrs. (my 9yr anniversary was last week, not related to this comment at all).
Prior to half time we scored twice further incl. a penalty, where Mike Palmer made a great run into the box and was cut in half, after some great interplay again. Avi (Mike Atherton) put the ball away well. Just before half time we had a very unjust goal disallowed, which would of seen us completing the half 1-4. However 1-3, would have been satisfactory at the start of the game.
We continued where we left off in the second half, constantly attacking the opposition in waves, but in fairness to them, they continued working hard to the end of the game. We could of scored another handful, but when Jason Wilde followed up his own saved header, it was enough to kill the game off. Jason really made an impact with 20mins left and could of scored a few. Big Sam Howarth came on for a 10minute cameo upfront, showing some silky skills. Will Parry also made what can only be politely described a fleeting appearance ‘7mins total’ before being hit by what appeared to be a full breakdown of his lungs. This was quite a surprise considering will’s texts to whitey over the past few weeks stating his constant attendance to Gym, compared to the physical wreck before our eyes thus having to be allowed to leave the field of play after approx. 4mins. Just to put into context the shout of ‘your just an unfit Brinners’ came from the side line. Apologies for any offence caused during this review. #brinners #getting fit this year.
All in all a really good first game of the season, excellent managerial decisions, good work ethic from the players, quality football and most importantly the win. This is now the benchmark for the rest of the season, and hopefully the start of a successful year for Mellor Reserves.
