Nail Biter for United Under 10's!Saturday saw Utd. play a home game away at Benchill Celtic's home ground due to a water logged pitch at their own ground (Wilmslow High School). The conditions weather wise were good but the pitch was bad and the venue was as intimmidating as the Utd. lads will ever face this season.This game was never going to be a free flowing game as the pitch just simply wouldn't allow it. Both teams had to adopt a long range passing game for the whole game, a style of play not usually suited to Utd. as they like to play the ball around a lot. This was a style of play most definitely set out by Benchill who were clearly used to playing on this pitch at home. They played their big lads up front and tried tirelessly to pick the target men out with long balls from the back. Good solid aerial performances were required from both teams, with the long ball being the order of the day and Utd. seemed to cope pretty well afer a few words in their ears about how to deal with them. Max Momber and Darragh Collumb were winning everything at the back and after weeks of training they were really concentrating on the distribution from the back with Thomas Taylor using his area well. Utd. had all the possession in the first third. The defence mopped everything up well and Lawrence Taylor was using his vision and strength to pick out some great passes but unfortunately there was no end product for Utd. One performance of note in the first Two thirds was that of Dean Musa. He seems to have really hit top gear now and his body strength was again on show as it seems to have been for the last few weeks. He was running at his man all game and never gave up. The second third seemed to be a different game all together in parts. Utd. were trying to play the ball around a bit with Benchill sticking to the long ball tactics. Benchill were now looking dangerous at times when the big lad up front got a hold of the ball, so Utd. now addopted a more pressing style of play to prevent Benchill gaining possession. This slowly started to frustrate Benchill and Utd's confidence was growing. Lawrence Taylor had two long range shots slightly wide and Joe Mooney had his athletic header saved by the keeper. You could sense a goal was coming for Utd and with three minutes of the second third remaining, Dean Musa charged in from a scramble in front of goal to score with a close range tight finish. The final third followed the same pattern of play, Utd having the bulk of possession but every now and then Benchill would pick up loose balls up front. Utd. were sure to be punished for their concentration and soon they were with a shot from the edge of the box leaving Thomas Taylor with no chance. Utd's heads never went down though and on the balance of play they did not deserve to be drawing this game. They carried on plugging away and then manager Allan Watson brought on speedy himself, Samuel Brunt. Utd. hoped he would do some damage with his energy up front and with 30 seconds to go he came up trumps. Pouncing on a loose ball that seemed to take an eternity to cross the line he gave Utd. a well earned victory. Utd. now have a friendly match on Saturday 21st October v Wilmslow Sports where they hope to keep themselves fit during the half term break. Man of the Match: Darragh Collumb |
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