U14A Manningham vs Doncaster Rovers 11th May
On a cool and cloudy Mothers day Manningham hosted Doncaster at the Wilson Rd “cow paddock”. The pitch had everything, weeds grass, bare patches, divots and bumps, as well as a good slope to the city end. Again no ref so Manningham hosted with a fair referee.
The game started with Rovers on top in most positions, even though we were kicking up the hill. Soon Rovers had an opening in front of goal but could not finish. Then Damien had a crack that went wide. Every time Manningham pushed the ball out Jansen, who was dominating his right side of the ground sent it straight back. If the ball went over the top Joel, Nick Dinakis, Elliot and Michael Piccoli were quick to clean up. Through the centres Phil, Chris and Dion were on top bringing down the high balls and delivering to teammates by foot. Up forward Drew, Nick Vass and Damien were getting into the play but could not set up a striking opportunity.
The boys were applying plenty of pressure and Manningham started to crack with swipes at the ball mainly going out, rather than passing to position. Chris intercepted a pass just over the half way line and forced the ball down the left side then centred the ball to the top of the box where Nick Vass flicked immediately to Phil, right in front of goal who had space to line it up and drive home the first goal. Rovers were well on top with good passing all over the ground and plenty of talk. Any approach to goal up the other end was easily mopped up by Luke who had little pressure on his goal.
Scores at half-time: Rovers 1: Manningham 0
After the break Rovers kept up the momentum with Chris and Phil well on top and Jansen doing his best to imitate a greyhound up and down his side of the ground. Chris had a hard shot on goal go over the top, then shortly after Steve had a great opportunity to beat the keeper but it went wide.
Then “Dama” stepped up and soon beat his man to have the keeper done cold for a good goal. Within a few minutes Damien again took on his man and dribbled from just past the centre right up to the keeper and again slotted home a beauty. It would be fair to say Damien was not playing on the fastest lad we have seen!
Nick Vass then had another opportunity following a string of good passes, only to see the Manningham keeper pull off a great save.
Just to round things off the ball was soon in the box again where Dama was in the thick of it getting a left foot tap across the line. A hat-trick of goals is a nice Mothers day present for your Mum and the boys were all feeling pretty happy as well.
This was a solid hit out by all the boys, particularly given we played with a squad of only 13, due to the absence of James, Matt & Michael Palomares because of illness and injury. This performance should give them confidence to trust their teammates with good passing and backing up, to become a better team every week they play together.
Scores at full-time: Rovers 4: Manningham 0
GO ROVERS!
