Haslingden Sharks U10’s v Feniscowles U10’s

Haslingden Sharks U10’s v Feniscowles U10’s
Fearns Complex 10:00
13th November 2016

It’s a ‘lock out’…….

Not a great start to Coach Felinski’s pre-match preparations – padlock on the gate and cars all over the place waiting to get in! With three Hasi teams lining up on the 3G pitch side by side it made for a mad dash into venue once the key holder made it through the jam. No chance of delaying the kick off with all teams partaking in a minute’s silence before kick off to honour the Countries fallen heroes. Six teams took positions around the main center circle and a shriek of the ref’s whistle saw an impeccable minutes silence observed to mark Remembrance Sunday. Another blast of the whistle and the teams scattered to their respective pitches.

Up for the Sharks Sunday gone; Feniscowles – the team narrowly beaten the previous week by the impressive Haslingden Panthers. A tough game was always going to be on the cards then as any team capable of matching the Shark’s sister team were sure to be daunting opposition. However, a great result for Haslingden themselves a week ago saw them hold a very strong Pendle Forest side 0-0; that combined with noticeable improvement over the last few games gave way to some reserved optimism amongst the gathered support! Fingers crossed……….

At Coach Felinski’s disposal; a full compliment of players – 12 in all, the full squad for the first time this season. A hard task then selecting the starting line up – between the sticks stood the impressive Mackenzie, buoyed by her stunning Man of the Match performance the week before. Hadley(E) and Whittaker formed the defense; Hadley(G) now in her familiar role sat just in front, at the base of the diamond. Kay and Williams marshaled the midfield with Purdy taking her place up front. Halwood, Dunn, Horsfield, Hardiker & Blackburn completed the squad and all available from the bench. Conditions were sunny but cold; the morning frost had given way to a gentle thaw glazing both the pitch and the ball in a slippery glistening membrane.

Straight from the off it was clear to see why this opposition had run the Panthers so close previously; one way traffic for the first 10mins with the Sharks given little time on the ball. Feniscowles No4 particularly impressive, at the heart of everything they strung together. The composure of the opposition on the ball was way beyond their young years – triangles being formed all over the pitch combined with little loss of control saw them carve through the Hasi lines with accomplishment. Feniscowles No10 also showed some great movement early on; rounding players with some fantastic touches but maybe not quite familiar with the fast artificial surface just yet.

That being said the Sharks defense held fast once again; showing great determination to clear their lines. That was until the 11th minute. A driven long range effort from Feniscowles saw the ball bounce awkwardly just in front and to the right of Mackenzie; the slippery glaze on the ball proved too much and without her being in the direct line of the shot unfortunately she saw it sneak behind after a gloved touch and bobble into the unguarded net; 0-1 to the visitors.

The team in Blue & White hoops proved to be more than a handful; a very physical team who weren’t afraid to lean, push and in some cases outright shove the Black & White kitted Haslingden team out of the way. Unfamiliar territory for the inexperienced Sharks but the ref was seemingly willing to let it go – right up until a blatant two-handed shove sent Purdy flying on 14mins! Hadley(G) lined up the resulting free kick around 20 yards from goal. Baited breath from the assembled Hasi support has they all know she ‘has a good kick in her’; another great strike off the laces lanced across the box towards the far upright unchallenged but agonisingly for the home team the keeper managed to get a firm enough paw on it to prevent the net bulging and her defense were first on to the loose ball to effect the clearance.

15mins saw Coach Felinski’s first change; Purdy & Williams off and replaced by Dunn & Blackburn. A short passage of play followed with the Black & Whites able to maintain some good possession in Feniscowles territory. Some nice, alert passing enabled Blackburn to gain some rare space on the left flank and off she went on one of her snaking runs. No clear chances though and Feniscowles using some route one tactics forced a corner at the other end. The corner was driven in, again by the No4, low and hard straight at Mackenzie’s near post. With no covering defender on the stick the ball ricocheted off the keepers shins and into the net; 0-2.

Soon after it became evident Mackenzie had taken a knock in the previous melee in the box and had to be replaced in goal by Purdy. No problem there; Mackenzie & Purdy both sharing the goal tendering duties early on in the season. Another substitution on 24mins saw Kay replaced by Hardiker. No more chances for either team before the break; 0-2 to the visitors at half time.

Hard to put a finger on it but the Sharks didn’t seem themselves in this first half, always on the back foot and struggling to get into the opposition half. Noticeable however the lack of mistakes being made by Feniscowles; every ball attempting to bypass their defense was met with assured control, nothing escaping their defenders close touch. This followed by evident ‘heads up’ passing into midfield and beyond made for a hard days chasing for our girls.

Second half; another change during the break – Hadley(E) off for a rest and replaced by Halwood. Similar to the first period; play was dominated by Feniscowles. 27mins and they were in on goal, one on one. Not this time though, a brave lunge by Purdy sent the ball back where it came from. A period of rolling substitutions followed with Coach Felinski keen to get the whole squad some game time. On 29mins a hopeful ball from the left was sent bobbling across the Sharks goal area, unable to be cleared it fell to a lone Feniscowles forward who’d snuck in on the blind side for an easy pass beyond the diving Purdy and into the net. No chance for the keeper; 0-3.

40mins and Feniscowles again got behind the Haslingden lines; another one on one and this time the keeper saves the shot to her right, then launched clear by the alert Whittaker who again impressed at the back (given the intensity of the attacks coming her, and the Sharks, way).

The Sharks now tired by the minute but maybe with the Feniscowles best player, No 4, being given a rest there may have been chance for a consolation goal; not this day. The best Feniscowles move they saved for just shy of time. From possession well inside their own half a series of accurate crisp passes saw them pass through the Black & White’s midfield, on through their back lines and eventually in on goal. In charged the opposition forward, ball at her feet, however maybe the thought of Purdy making her third one on one save had influence on the young strikers decision making? Opting not to take on the impressive home keeper this time a square ball across the box led to a simple tap in for her accomplice. 0-4 and a great, great goal to send them journeying home. Very, very impressive.

The final whistle shortly followed and handshakes all round.

Final Score 0-4.

Haslingden Man of the Match as voted by the opposition; Blackburn for her dogged and often solitary persistence up front.