Delayed start draws stalemate

Penn Rangers Under 12s  2  -  2  Wendover Junior Colts

A slight delay due to a hard frost resulted in a 09:50 KO, 20 minutes later than planned. After swapping ends Penn kicked off the first half. This was an equally balanced match with both sides having plenty of the attacking momentum.

Penn Rangers used the wings well and distributed the ball from our defenders, through midfield and into the Wendover danger areas. Zack Gladman and Harry Pymm linked up well with Luke Butler, Frank Keegan, Kane Bradding and Ben Waterhouse. Whilst defensively we looked strong as Matthew Huddson, George Tuck, Adam “Gibbo” Gibbs and Alex McEwan all stopped a number of attempts at goal. Once again Jack Keating’s voice could be heard shouting directions. However it was a sweeping pass that went out wide on the right, which drew George and Alex infield, leaving two of the Wendover players clear in front of our goal with only Jack to beat. We went in at half time 1-0 down.

Second half we came out with venom. Again we used the width of the pitch well and as a result, a cross from Zack and Ben was able to strike the loose ball in to the back of the Wendover net from within the 6 yard box, under a diving goal keeper. 1-1.

Then, within a matter of minutes, a goal mouth scramble and the ball broke free in front of Kane who hammered it home passed their outstretched keeper. It was then 2-1 to the home side.

From then on all the play seemed to be in our half. On occasion we caught Wendover on the counter, but it was with 15 minutes to go that Wendover had a clear one on one with Jack and we were drawing 2-2. A final result.

All in all we produced some fantastic passing football. We also had a heap of chances including half a dozen close shots on goal from several players including Alex and Matthew. Striking outside the opposition 18 yard box and just going wide of the posts. Ryan came on in the second half and used his pace to drive several forward runs in from the right towards goal. Lorenz Johnson and Adam Coles too reinforced our back four, stopping countless winger style attacks. We also managed to lob the ball over the Wendover defence, typically from Matthew and Alex, where Kane, Ben, Frank, Luke and Harry showed their pace and far outstretch that of our opponent’s defensive back four. On balance this was a pretty equal game. The Penn players held their tails high for a long spell in the second half where we could have scored a lot more. But it wasn’t to be.

Man of the match Ben Waterhouse was awarded his trophy at the end of the game. On this occasion, voted for by the rest of the Penn Rangers squad rather than just the usual recognition from Manager Greg. Everybody tried hard today. It was obvious to see. The rewards are now starting to come, for all the hard work the players put into training each week.

Sp, a big thank you to all the players for their efforts, James Keating for running the line, Steve Gibbs for refereeing, Michelle Butler for the half time Oranges and to all the supporters for turning up on such a cold, frosty morning.