08/09/18

Late penalties provide dramatic climax to both seniors and the Development Squad games

Knutsford 3 2 Whaley Bridge

These two teams have in recent years competed in the top 3 but now find themselves in transition in the bottom third and desperate for points.

Ultimately separated by what definitely wasn’t even a dubious decision - that would imply there was some doubt….. ‘no’ the decision in the last minute to award a penalty, converted by West, was simply dreadful and wrong! Knutsford substitute Akome running faster than his legs wanted to carry him was already off balance outside the area and falling forward when Whaley’s stand-out player Jamie Kay running alongside made an innocuous challenge just inside the area; with no appeal from any quarter the ref, in the words of a Knutsford spectator, ‘fell for it’! Another body blow to an unsettled and injury strapped Whaley squad that luck seems to have deserted so far this season; this the second last minute penalty to cost them dearly. Unfortunately Kay's frustration at got the better of him and his red card will ultimately hit the team hard!

A different look and more experienced Knutsford started well and looked the more comfortable team passing and moving well though created little until Clayton put 1874 Northwich striker Kyle Riley through on goal to shoot wide of Tattersall’s far post. Whaley were playing well enough and held their shape gaining back possession in the middle third with Sutton dominating the aerial midfield battle. The visitors took the lead through Jacob O’Donnell following a run by Hodgkinson who linked well with Brown down the Knutsford left flank; the 16 year old beat his marker and rounded the centre half before curling his shot in to the far corner to put Whaley one nil up. Whaley had several opportunities after that with plenty of telling crosses but couldn’t capitalise on their work in the final third. Knutsford’s equaliser came after failing to clear the ball that, after a couple of ricochets, fell to Clayton who hit a 25 screamer in to Tattersall’s far corner right on the stroke of half time; 1-1.

The home side, aided and abetted by more than a smattering of 1874 Northwich squad players preferred over some of their regular players, were now playing some neat possession football but only created any real pressure from corners with Bailey, kay, Toseland and Hodges making it very difficult for them with some dogged defending throughout. However, they did take the lead on the hour when the visitors failed to ‘get out’ following a corner leaving the corner taker still on-side in the second phase to cross for Bradley West to head in at the far post; 2-1.

Given their predicament this season Whaley brought Raymond Dwolitka out of retirement and he eased back into football linking well with the two 16 year olds O’Donnell and Baldwin. Probably slightly against the run of play Whaley responded on 65 minutes when old boy Matt Brown cutting in from the left locked on to Bailey’s cross to fire a right foot 20 yarder into the roof of the net. This raised the team and with more presence up-front they turned the game on its head to take control. However, a rare break from the home side in the last quarter saw a long cross-field ball find Akome and the rest is history as they say.

So, a whole day was spoiled by one heart-breaking decision, however Whaley can walk away from this fixture with their heads held high after a terrific spirited performance. It tells a story when the Knutsford players, supporters and the player who was fouled thought to apologise afterwards…. but no doubt they will still embrace the 3 points.

The team showed spirit and commitment and mustn't let this injustice knock their confidence; surely their luck must change soon?

Mom Jamie Kay

Tattersall; W Bailey; Kay; Toseland; Hodges; Drayson; Sutton; Gilbride; Hodgkinson; Brown (1); O’Donnell (1)

Dwolitka; Baldwin; Connell; Langford; Gemmell

WB Development Squad 3-2 Chinley

The DS came back from a 2 nil deficit at home to record their first win of the season against a strong physical Chinley outfit that looked to be on course for a convincing win at half time.

Whaley started brightly having the majority of the early possession but failed to make any of the pressure count , resorting to strikes from outside the box which didn’t test the Chinley keeper .

20 minutes in and a clever through ball was accurately dispatched by the Chinley forward giving the away side the lead.  Whaley’s passing and discipline wasn’t at its best and the home side struggled to keep hold of the Ball for any period of time - Chinley on the other hand were winning the majority of 50/50 battles and a free header inside the 6 yard box after 35 minutes saw them take a 2-0 lead going into half , Whaley by then looked to be a beaten team.

With No changes made at the half time and having spoken about man marking in the middle of the park, the need to win more 50/50 battles and to improve the quality of deliveries into the box Whaley appeared much more settled and motivated !

Owen Peatfield pushed forward from the left back position whipping a perfect delivery towards the penalty spot and Jack Meadows met this with a bullet header into the top right hand corner to make the score 1-2.

Tailby - having worked hard for 60 minutes on the right was replaced with youngster Tyler Arnfield - who came on in the left of a 5 man midfield - an excellent through ball from Jackson found him on his favoured left foot and he lobbed the Chinley keeper from 25 yards with his first touch of the ball to even the score at 2-2.

10 minutes remained and Whaley were pushing hard, out battling the visitors; Peter Wigg who had held the ball up superbly as an isolated striker all game muscled his way into the opposition box only to be brought down by the centre half;  Jackson stepped up and slotted the penalty home to make the score 3-2, his third goal already this season !

Chinley threw everything at Whaley in the last 5 minutes, Wilson , Coates, Mason, Hodgkinson and Peatfield stood solid as did josh Arnfield in nets making several decent saves in the latter stages to keep the score at 3-2.

An amazing turnaround from a youthful Whaley squad, comprising 7 players at 17 years old or under, that showed real character and team spirit to seal their first victory of this campaign.

Credit to the lads for an amazing turnaround

Man of the match: Joe Coates

Arnfield, Peatfield, Hodkinson, Wilson, Coates , mason(c), Jackson (1), meadows(1), Howell , Tailby, Wigg.

Henderson, Roberts, McNamara, brown, Arnfield