Greencroft U15's Make Successful Start
Monday 17 September 2007By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:02
Greencroft (Stanley) 1 Walbottle (Newcastle) 0
U15 Boys' Cup
This first round match provided a repeat of the previous years encounter at the same stage of the competition, with the result proving identical also.
Greencroft started the match without key player Mark Longstaff due to a knee injury he had been suffering from. Otherwise they were at full strength. Walbottle fielded their strongest first eleven.
Greencroft captain Warren Brown won the toss and decided to kick up the hill first half. With a slight breeze behind them, Walbottle went straight onto the attack. The midfield of Walbottle dominated the early stages, forcing Greencroft onto the back foot. The sheer physical size of the Walbottle team was also helping them to get a firm hold on the game. In the opening 10 minutes, Walbottle had a few efforts from long range which flew off target, but apart from that Greencroft were defending well.
The first clear chance came midway through the first half. A free kick dropped to the Walbottle centre forward 5 yards from goal, however, Adam Mcardle was quick off his line to smother the shot. Walbottle were playing some excellent football at this stage, quite happy to build up play from the back.
However, as half time approached, Greencroft began to come back into the game and tested the Walbottle goalkeeper from a couple of free kicks, which he dealt with comfortably.
Having dominated the first half, Walbottle could not find the breakthrough and went into the break goalless.
The second half saw Greencroft begin to take the game to Walbottle, aided by a slight breeze. An injury to Jordan Carter 5 minutes into the half saw the introduction of Mark Longstaff at centre forward. This made an immediate impact on the flow of the game as he began to give the Walbottle defence something more to think about.
With Nick Hume and Liam Nichol strong in the centre of the defence, Greencroft began to push forward with more confidence. A couple of half chances fell to Jack Watson before Greencroft forced a corner. Lee Dobson swung the corner in which was firmly met by the head of Warren Brown who directed it into the bottom corner of the net giving Greencroft a 1-0 lead.
This seemed to shake Walbottle back into life, and they went immediately back onto the front foot. However, Greencroft were now full of confidence, leading to a very open game. Walbottle continued to push and twice got through on goal only for a lack of composure to let them down. They also got in behind the Greencroft on a few occasions only for Adam Mcardle to be quick off his line and stop the danger. Greencroft were looking dangerous on the counter attack and only close offside decisions prevented them the chances to add to their lead.
In the last five minutes, Walbottle pushed their centre half and captain further forward. This move was countered with Warren Brown going back to Centre half in a five-man defence. Walbottle threw everything at Greencroft but determined defending meant they held out to win the game 1-0 and move into the second round.
An excellent team performance, full of determination, saw Greencroft progress to the next round.
Man of the Match: Warren Brown for his winning goal and determination in midfield.
