3D Dynamos U13’s  5 – 2  South Manchester - on Saturday 26th November 2011 (LEAGUE CUP)
Goalscorers –  Joe Owen, Nick Craig, Callum Faulkner, Ellis Kostyk, Sam Anderson
After the disappointing display last week Iain and Mark where looking for the lads to get back to winning ways in a tough match at home against South Manchester. Having played four league cup games and won two and lost two it was important for the lads to win in order to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the semi-finals. With injuries taking its toll the 13 players who were available all had to play their part and that is exactly what they did. Dan Gaunt  started his first game of the season  on the left of midfield in place Sam Anderson who dropped to the bench and Sam Carr came in for the injured Jack Lees up front.
The lads started off really well and were instantly on the attack and should have gone a goal up in the first 2 mins when Callum Faulkner shot straight at the keeper when he really should have done better. Some of our football was really good and a host of chances were created but not taken. George and Ellis were controlling the central midfield areas and both had good efforts that went wide of the goal. Joe Owen was excellent on the right of midfield and had arguably his best game of the season and Callum Pal alongside the impressive Ben Godfrey at centre back was strong in the tackle and cleared the ball from the danger areas really well. Dan Gaunt was steady and assured on the left and offered good support for the hardworking front two of Callum and Sam Carr.
 Then came the sucker punch after 21 mins when South Manchester took the lead against the run of play. A poor throw in from ourselves was pounced upon by the South Manchester midfield and the ball was played quickly over the top of our defence for the pacy striker to run onto and finish well into the bottom corner. South Manchester are fortunate to have a player with such blistering pace up front and do use it to their advantage well. As a team it was up to us to try and nullify the threat. Our best form of defence at the moment was to attack, we had created so many chances that we had to score. The equaliser came of the 30 min mark when the ball was pulled back to Joe Owen on the edge of the area and he found the time to control the ball compose himself and then lash the ball into top corner of the net. A super goal and no more than Joe deserved and no more than the team deserved. The teams went in level at half-time with everything to play for.
Iain made a slight tactical change and asked Nick our quickest player to mark the pacy South Manchester striker. What a game Nick had in the second half, I doubt whether the South Manchester striker has faced anyone has quick as Nick who stuck to his task really well and sacrificed his instinct of getting forward to put in a really solid performance for the team. In fact it was Nick who put 3D’s into the lead 3mins into the second half with a shot from the halfway line that bounced in front of the keeper and up into the top of the net. The lads were playing some really attacking football,  Sam Carr was creating space for others by using his quick feet and moving the ball quickly and accurately and Joe Owen was finding space well down the right with Tom Halliwell offering him good support from right back. George Allcock had a good chance to score after 10 mins but opted for a chip over the keeper when maybe a full bloodied effort may have ended in a goal, but fair play to George he has found some good form of late and it was pleasing that he had the confidence to take the shot on. After 18 mins the lads went 3-1 up when the prolific Callum Faulkner netted his 20th goal of the season ( a great achievement and well done)and within a minute it was 4-1 when the ever improving Ellis Kostyk thundered in a shot from 25 yards which beat the keeper all ends up. Sam Carr went close with a header after some good work down the right from Callum and Sam also brought a fantastic save from the keeper when he suddenly made up the ground from one side of his goal to the other to push Sam’s close range effort away for a corner.
In the 21st min of the half South Manchester made it 4-2 when a mix up in our defence made it easy for them to score and within 5 mins they could have made it 4-3 when their pacy striker just managed to shake off Nick and shoot across Jake in goal only for his shot to hit the post and roll to safety. So from being 4-1 up and looking comfortable it could easily have been 4-3 and made for a nervy last 10 mins. Fortunately the lads sprung back into life and started to look threatening going forward and in the last minute Substitute Sam Anderson made it 5-2 with a well struck left foot shot into the top of the net.
Overall, a very pleasing team performance in which everyone contributed and gave 100%. As managers you are always looking for a good response from your team after a bad performance and to be fair to the lads that is what we got today. It was great to see the whole team celebrating the goals because that shows great togetherness and when they do play as a team and do the simple things well on their day they are a match for anyone.
Thanks to everyone for their continued support. MOM Joe Owen

Audenshaw Juniors  3 -1  3D Dynamos U13’s - on Saturday 19th November 2011 (LEAGUE CUP)
Goalscorers –  Callum Faulkner
After winning 5 out of the last 6 games it was certainly back down to earth with a bump after this performance. The lads were found wanting in the physical aspect of the game and never got to grips with it at all.

More often than not in life you get what you deserve and that is exactly what happened here, we got nothing! Iain and Mark made one change to the side from last week bringing Callum Pal into the centre of defence in place of Cameron Jacques who dropped to the bench.  No team really had the better of the opening exchanges with both teams looking to get on the attack. Audenshaw are a strong physical side and we tried to encourage the lads to keep playing the football, concentrate on doing the things they are good at and we should win the game. Unfortunately the lads seemed to be a bit intimidated by the effort and physicality of the Audenshaw lads and went into their shells. The first goal was evident of this at the midpoint of the first half when one of their midfielders ran straight through our defence unchallenged and finished easily past Jake who was left helpless in goal. To be fair to the lads they did spring into action for a short period after going a goal behind and Callum Faulkner had a chance to equalise almost straight away but unfortunately snatched at his shot and the keeper made an easy save. Shortly after that Ellis Kostyk had a great long range effort superbly saved by the Audenshaw keeper who at full stretch managed to tip the ball away for a corner. The lads went in 1-0 down at halftime with all still to play for.

At the break Iain substituted Joe Owen from right midfield and put Sam Carr into the centre of midfield with the instruction to break up the play in front of the defence. Jack Lees was switched from striker out to the right with Callum Faulkner now playing as a lone striker (4-1-4-1). Audenshaw were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second half and quickly stamped their authority of the game. To be fair they hammered us in the second half. Nick Craig and Sam Carr were the stand out players for 3D’s and without their great effort it could easily have been a heavier defeat. 2 goals were conceded by defensive lapses and our inability to clear the ball properly. This problem seemed to have gone away during our good run but for whatever reason it returned today. With 10 mins to go Callum Faulkner got on the score sheet and gave us a faint hope of getting back into the game but Audenshaw closed the game down well and never really gave us another chance.

Football is a physical game and sometimes you have to earn the right to play. That means doing the ugly things well, matching your opponents in all areas of the pitch and then once you have control of the game you start to play the football and put your opponents under pressure. The lads need to improve the physical side of their game because at the moment that is the difference between them being a half decent side and becoming a great side.

MOM – Nick Craig

Thanks to all parents for their continued support.

12th November 2011 (LEAGUE CUP)

3D Dynamos U13’s  0 -2 Mossley Juniors

The lads were in league cup action again at the weekend and unfortunately went down 2-0 to a well drilled Mossley Juniors side. As with everything in life you need a ‘little bit of luck’ but when it’s against you it can leave you frustrated and wondering what you have to do to win the game.
Just like ourselves Mossley came into the game on the back of a good result as they beat the only undefeated team in the league 2-3 away last weekend and were in confident mood. It had all the makings of a really good cup-tie. Both teams observed a minutes silence before kick off so well done to both sets of players and managers for paying their respects impeccably. 3D’s who were down to only 13 fit players took a while to get into their stride and it was Mossley who had the best of the early exchanges and after dominating possession took the lead after 7 mins when their powerful centre half broke forward unchallenged into the penalty area. His effort was well saved by Jake in goal but as the ball broke free and wasn’t cleared it fell to the on-running Mossley midfielder who chipped the ball over the defenders on the line into the net to give them the lead. 3D’s responded well to going a goal behind and started to pass the ball much better with the hardworking George Allcock and Ellis Kostyk starting to have an influence on the game. Joe Owen was getting forward more and more down the right wing and put some good crosses in to the area which Mossley managed to scramble clear. At the mid-point of the half Callum Faulkner latched onto a through ball from Ellis and forced the keeper into making a good save rushing out to narrow the angle. Soon after Ellis himself had a good shot that just went wide of the upright. After some good inter-play down the left between Callum and Sam Anderson the ball was played into Jack Lees who had a good opportunity to score but was just unable to get his shot away. With 3D’s looking the most likely to score the ref blew the whistle for half-time.

Iain and Mark, although disappointed we were losing, stressed to the lads to keep playing their football and believe in themselves and the chances and hopefully the goals will come. The lads responded really well and started the second half strongly. In the first minute Sam Anderson was played through the middle by George and outpaced the centre back, Sam showed great confidence and took on the shot with his weaker right foot and was unlucky to see it flash past the post. Within a minute Callum Faulkner worked an opening for himself in front of goal and unfortunately shot wide. You know it’s not your day when Callum misses a chance like that, he is in such fantastic  form this season with 18 goals already you would have put money on him tucking that one away. With 2 great chances in the opening 2 minutes of the half the lads were playing with real confidence and should have equalised a minute later when a great ball in from the left evaded everyone in the six yard area and was cleared by the Mossley defenders. With the lads pressing for an equaliser it was Mossley who increased their lead 12 mins into the second half. A good passage of play saw them play the ball out quickly from the back into midfield and from there it was shifted quickly in between our centre back and full back for their substitute striker to run onto. He took a couple of strides into the area and finished well with his right foot across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner, a real sucker punch for us.
Even going 2 goals down we still felt that we could get something from the game such was the way the lads were playing. Callum Pal and Sam Carr came off the bench in bid to influence the game and both had good efforts on goal that on another day may have gone in. Two long range efforts from Ellis Kostyk that drifted wide gave the lads a belief that they could still get something out of the game and to their credit they kept playing all the football and creating all the chances. I think we created enough chances to win 2 games in the second half but when your luck is out there is nothing you can do about it.

Well played all the lads there is not a lot to say really other than hard luck. The pleasing thing is you kept going right to the end and never gave up and on another day if we could have scored one goal we may even have gone on to win the game. Thanks to all the parents as always for your support.

MOM - ELLIS KOSTYK.

5th November 2011 (LEAGUE CUP)

3D Dynamos  4 – 1  Tintwistle
Goalscorers –  Callum Faulklner (2), George Allcock, Nick Craig
The lads were in league cup action again at the weekend and continued their great run of form to make it 5 wins in a row. Although the result looks convincing it was far from easy and apart from the first 20 mins it was a really even and competitive game.

Iain and Mark made one enforced change to the team with the injured Joe Owen making way for Jake Shaw on the right of midfield. 3D’s set the pace right from the kick off and went 1-0 up in the first minute. Ellis Kostyk hit a fantastic shot which looked destined for the far top corner only for it to hit the post and bounce out, fortunately Callum Faulkner was doing what all good strikers do and followed the ball up and was left with an easy finish. Such was our dominance we went 2-0 up after 2 mins again with the prolific Callum Faullkner racing through onto a charged down clearance and slotting away calmly into the bottom corner. With their confidence high the lads kept on pushing forward and George Allcock fired just wide from the edge of the area on 4 mins. Tintwistle at this point where finding it hard to clear their lines and get any sort of foothold in the game and after 8 mins 3D’s went 3-0 up through the impressive George Allcock. As mentioned last week George is now playing centre midfield which is where the managers know is his best position due to the fact that he has good ability and will see a lot of the ball. I think George is now starting to believe it is best position as his recent form has been excellent and his goals return is better now than when he played as a striker!

3D’s were not showing any signs of taking their foot off the pedal and made it 4-0 after 12 mins. Nick Craig charged forward knowing that Sam Anderson had filled in for him at left back and as the ball was crossed deep into the penalty area from right to left he found himself unmarked and finished well with his left foot across the keeper into the bottom right corner. A well deserved goal by Nick who has been one of our most consistent performers this season, he is now playing at left back rather than left midfield and with his pace and strength he is a real threat going forward and is a hard man to beat defensively. Nick and Sam Anderson have developed a real good understanding on the left side and compliment each other really well.

After the fourth goal went in it was a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show as Tintwistle playing for pride more than anything started to get into the game and a couple of half chances showed they were not giving up just yet.
With the lads being in control Iain and Mark wanted to give the subs some much needed game time and at half time Dan Gaunt replaced Jake Shaw on the right side of midfield.

Tintwistle started the second half really well and were soon into their stride playing all the football. 3D’s first chance of the half fell to Dan Gaunt who hit a first time shot which the keeper managed to parry away from goal. It was Tintwistle doing all the attacking at this point and they managed to pull a goal back after 16mins when their right midfielder turned neatly in the box and finished well with his left foot shooting across the keeper into the far corner. 3D’s were struggling to find any rhythm in the second half and found themselves on the back foot for most of it. Cameron Jacques replaced Jack Lees up front and Callum Pal replaced Tom Halliwell at right back and it was pleasing that all the subs showed a great deal of effort when they came on and showed the same attitude in the game as they have been doing in training so well done to all of you and keep believing because your chance will come!

The ref finally called time on what had developed into a real struggle for the lads as after 20 mins they were coasting and playing some unbelievable football.  Tintwistle  to their credit showed a lot of character and dug in and stopped it becoming a rout and to be fair were much the better team in the second half showing us that no matter how many goals in front you are you have never won the game until the final whistle blows.
Thanks to all parents for their continued support. MOM – George Allcock

Saturday 29th October 2011 (LEAGUE CUP)

West End Boys  0 – 4  3D Dynamos
Goalscorers –  Ellis Kostyk, George Allcock, Sam Anderson, Callum Faulkner
The league cup works on the basis where all teams in the league play each other once and the top four then play in a semi final and the winners then meet in the final. The lads went into this game on the back of three straight victories so confidence was high going into tough game. There is always something special about winning in the cup and this result was no different.

At the moment the starting xi is picking itself and Iain and Mark went with an unchanged side for the second week running. Goalkeeper Jake Wildbore, Tom, Ben, Josh and Nick form the defensive unit and it is very pleasing to see the lads now defending as a unit and working hard for each other. Midfield sees Joe Owen on the right, Ellis Kostyk and George Allcock through the middle and Sam Anderson on the left. It has been a tough few weeks for George and Joe as they have been moved into midfield and have had to learn how to play in that position, they have both responded well to the challenge and our now starting to find their best form. Up front is Callum Faulkner and Jack Lees who work has hard as any front two I have seen and are forming a really good understanding of each others’ movements. Callum is the top scorer in the league at the moment and always looks a goal threat.

Playing West End Boys always means a tough physical game and the lads needed to overcome that and try to play football. West End are a real solid defensive unit and have arguably the best keeper in the league so it is important that the lads try and move them out of position to find the space in behind them. 3D’s started in a positive mood and looked to get the ball down and play from the off, it was a battle of the midfield early on with 3D’s trying to play and West End breaking up the play and trying to get themselves on the attack. 3D’s took the lead on 9 mins when the excellent Ellis Kostyk picked up the ball from a pass inside by Sam Anderson and chipped the keeper from 20 yards a great goal to help us settle down. Sometimes we have become our own worst enemies when going in front and switch off and let the opponents back in but the lads showed great determination today and kept their defensive shape really well. After 24mins George Allcock made it 2-0 with a well taken header from a cross by Joe Owen. George just managed to get across the onrushing keeper and loop his header into the net. The lads went in 2-0 up at the break.

More of the same was called for at half time, keep trying to play football and hopefully we will create chances to put the game to bed. Again, then lads showed a great attitude and started the half really well. After 7 mins Sam Anderson made it 3-0 with the goal of the game. Left back Nick Craig who was starting to have more of an influence going forward using his pace skipped past the full back on the half way line and played the ball into Callum Faulkner who’s first time pass found Sam Andseron on the edge of the area who finished well with his left foot into the bottom right hand corner. A really well worked goal and no more than the lads deserved.
Callum Faulkner made it 4-0 14 mins into the second half with a far post tap in and from this point the lads managed to keep the ball really well and nullify any threat that West End tried to muster.

A really pleasing result for the lads today and there is signs of a real team ethos growing amongst the lads. At the minute there are a few lads who are not getting much game time such is the form of the team and the tough games we have encountered but their attitude has been excellent and they are very much part of the ‘team’. They just have to keep working hard and make sure they are ready when their chance comes. There is a lot of games still to play so I am sure everyone will play their part this season. Well done ALL the lads and thanks as always to our loyal supporters.

MOM – Sam Anderson

Saturday 15th October 2011

Mossley Juniors  1 – 2  3D Dynamos U13’s

Goalscorers – Sam Anderson, Ellis Kostyk
After last week’s excellent performance Iain and Mark named an unchanged team, this was a reward to the lads who played very well last week. Sometimes when things are not going your way and you are not at your best you need to find a way to win and that is what the lads did this morning.
An away game at Brushes, Carrbrook against Mossley is always a difficult place to go. A pitch that slopes from side to side and is very bobbly certainly helps the home side. It was a real battle for the lads and it took them a good 20 minutes to find their passing rhythm. Mossley are a solid side with some strong lads in midfield who break the play up well and it was them who had the first chance of the half after 10 mins when a speculative effort rattled against our cross-bar. 3D’s where trying to play the football but where struggling to get their passing game going high enough up the pitch to cause any problems. Eventually, after 20 mins 3D’s broke down the right with the two front men, Jack Lees and Callum Faulkner linking up well to realease Joe Owen. He managed to pull the ball back to Callum who shot well across the keeper only for him to make a good save and push the ball away, unfortunately for him Sam Anderson was doing what all good wingers do and by following up at the far post the ball fell to him 3 yards from goal and he stabbed the ball into the open net. The game was being played through the midfield areas and another goal never looked like it was going to happen for either side. With 2 minutes to go until half-time Mossley got a lucky break down their left wing where a ricochet off the defender kept the ball in play when it looked like it was going out. This led to a moment of hesitation in the 3D’s defence and the ball was quickly played through to the Mossley striker who ran through unchallenged and finished well into the corner. 1-1 was probably a fair score line at the halfway point.
At half time the lads where told to keep trying to get the ball down and play football and their rewards will come. It was Mossley who did all the pressing at the start of the second half and quickly took control of the game. Only an unbelievable point blank save from keeper Jake Wildbore stopped them taking the lead. 3D’s failed to clear the ball from a free-kick and it broke loose to the Mossley striker 5 yards from goal. Jake spotted the danger early and was rapidly off his line to smother the shot. This seemed to shake the lads into life and they started to take control of the game with Nick Craig starting to get forward more and more from left-back where he managed to put in a couple of dangerous crosses. With 6 minutes to go the pressure 3D’s had built finally took its toll on the Mossley defence. A goalmouth scramble led to the ball only being half cleared by the Mossley defence to the edge of the area. It dropped to Ellis Kostyk, who was getting better as the game went on, and he lashed the ball left footed into the roof of the net – a great strike! It was great to see all the lads celebrate with Ellis after the goal as it showed a real togetherness within the team. After a couple of half-chances by either side in the final minutes the ref finally blew the whistle to give the lads a hard fought victory.
This was a real dogged display by the lads against a tough Mossley side on a difficult surface. Well done to all the lads. As Iain said after the game ‘You won ugly today’. Thanks to all the parents for their continued support. MOM – Ellis Kostyk.

 Saturday 8th October 2011

3D Dynamos U13’s 13 – 3  Saints JFC
Goalscorers – Jack Lees (5), Callum Faulkner (5), George Allock, Sam Anderson, Joe Owen
A fantastic performance by all the lads this week, after the disappointment of last week it was great to see the lads perform as we know they can.

After last week’s disappointment Iain and Mark tinkered with the team searching for a winning formula. The changes paid dividends right from the off with the lads keen to get the ball down and play against a powerful Saints JFC team. 3D’s raced into the lead after 4 mins when Joe Owen was released down the right wing and crossed in well for the prolific Cal Faulkner to finish well at the far post. 3D’s continued to play all the football and after 10 mins went 2-0 when Jack Lees latched onto a through ball to finish well into the corner. George Allcock having been switched to the centre of midfield for this match was having a superb game and was at the centre of all that was good. This was rewarded just after the 15 minute mark when he drove a low shot into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. The defence looked solid throughout and played really well as a unit with Centre Backs Cameron Jacques and the impressive Ben Godfrey snuffing out any threat that Saints had to offer. Full backs Nick Craig and Tom Halliwell provided great support for the centre backs and the wide men allowing them to get forward at every opportunity. Around the 20 minute mark 3D’s went 4-0 up with the move of the match one touch passing from George Allcock into Cal Faulkner and his quick lay off found Jack Lees in the centre of the goal where he volleyed the ball home. Then right on half time 3D’s where awarded a penalty after one of the Saints defenders was judged to have deliberately handled the ball from a corner. Unfortunately for Saints they were reduced to 10 men and Cal Faulkner slotted home the resultant spot kick.

In the second half Saints came out well and tried to take the game to us but it was 3D’s who increased their advantage when Sam Anderson broke from the left into the area and finished well into the corner. Saints kept on working hard and eventually got themselves on the score sheet when their powerful wide man broke through the centre and finished well from the edge of the area. With the game almost won and with 20 mins left all four subs where introduced to give them some valuable game time, this never affected the performance and still the lads pushed forward looking for more goals.  Joe Owen got himself on the score sheet with a great finish into the top corner after a clever pull back from Cal Faulkner who soon after went on to complete his hat-trick. Jack Lees not to be out done soon completed his hat-trick with a great solo effort. Saints to their credit kept going forward and responded with 2 goals in quick succession which give the scoreline a more respectable look from their point of view. With 10 minutes to go and the visitors tiring it was left to Jack Lees and Cal Faulkner to finish the scoring with 2  more goals each and the makings of a good strike partnership developing.

Superb team effort this week, all the lads involved played their part and it was great to see them pass and move the ball so well. Thanks to all the parents as always for their superb. MOM –The Team.

 Saturday 1st October 2011

West End Boys  2 – 0  3D Dynamos U13’s

The first half was a real battle with most of the game being played in the midfield areas. Neither side showed much attacking wise and 3D’s only real chance came around the midpoint of the half when good inter–play between Sam Anderson and Jack Lees resulted in the latter finding Callum Faulkner in the box who shot just wide with a first time effort. West End had a chance well saved by Jake Wildbore but really defences were on top in the first half. Ben Godfrey continued his good form by having an excellent game at centre back alongside Tom Halliwell who got stronger has the game went on. The first half came to a close with the match all square.

The feeling at half-time was that we had defended solidly but needed to impose ourselves on the game going forward by passing and moving the ball much quicker through the midfield and trying to get ourselves higher up the pitch. Unfortunately, the lads were not at the races and although they defended well our play going forward was not good enough. West End Boys eventually took the lead as a result of a dubious free-kick being awarded around 25 yards from goal. A well hit shot which struck the underside of the bar and went in from West End’s best player gave them the advantage. Most of the game was still being played around the midfield areas although full back Nick Craig was having more joy pushing forward from full back with his pace causing problems down the left wing. In fact 3D’s best chance of the second half came as a result of Nick Craig breaking down the left and finding striker Callum Faulkner on the edge of the penalty area, Callum’s shot towards the top corner was brilliantly saved by the West End Goalie. Shortly afterwards West End went 2-0 up with a carbon copy of the first goal when a free kick was given against us 25 yards from goal. On another day the free-kick might have gone our way but today it didn’t and another well struck shot found its way in to the net.

Although the lads battled well and restricted West End to 2 set piece efforts our passing and movement was not good enough through the midfield areas and denied us the opportunity to impose ourselves in the attacking areas. The lads have worked hard in training on these areas but were unable to carry the good things they have been doing into a game situation.

Saturday24th September 2011

3Dynamos U13’s  10 – 0  LA JUNIORS
Goalscorers – Callum Faulkner 5, Sam Anderson 2, Ben Godfrey, Ellis Kostyk, Own Goal

After the frustrations of the last 2 games Iain and Mark decided to ring the changes this week with the hope that we would find some rhythm and get our season up and running.

It was a promising start to the game as both teams were trying to get the ball down and play football. It did not take 3D’s long to get their passing game going and where in front after 5 mins when the prolific Callum Faulkner latched on to a through ball and finished into the top of the net from the corner of the penalty area. From this point 3D’s never looked backed and they looked a really balanced side with Ben Godfrey and Sam Carr at the heart of all the good work. After 10 mins 3d’s went 2-0 up with Callum Faulkner again on target with a carbon copy of the first goal. Soon after it became 3-0 with a fortunate own goal. 3D’s kept passing and moving the ball really well and Ben Godfrey made it 4-0 with a well deserved finish from a tight angle. Jack Lees went close with a solo effort in which he rounded the keeper but was unfortunate to see is his effort cleared off the line. Ellis Kostyk then capped a classy performance with a deflected shot to make it 5-0 and with 5 mins to half time Callum Faulkner completed his hat-trick to make it 6-0.

LA Juniors started solidly in the second half and were by no means overawed by the scoreline. 3D’s were not quite at the races after the break and seemed to have lost a little bit of the fluidity they had in the first half. Nick Craig made some positive runs from left back and caused problems for the opposition with his direct play and crossing ability. To their credit LA Juniors kept going forward and a good save by Callum Pal ensured we kept a clean sheet. Josh White and Tom Halliwell where very assured at centre back and snuffed out any real threat. Eventually our passing game returned and Sam Anderson finished off a flowing move with a neat finish into the corner. With 2 more goals from Callum Faulkner and another from Sam Anderson the scoring was now complete.

The most pleasing thing today was the way we played as a team and how we passed and moved the ball with a better intensity. Everyone contributed today to a great team effort.

Saturday 17th September 2011

Tameside and District Junior Football League
South Manchester  5 – 3  3Dynamos U13’s

This was a real kick in the teeth for the lads on Saturday, having had the lion’s share of possession and played the better football, it was individual errors that ultimately cost us the game.

At the start of the first half 3D’s had the better of the early exchanges and were unlucky not to take the lead when George Allcock latched onto a defence splitting pass by Jack Lees and fired just over the bar. However it was South Manchester  who struck first when a long ball forward eluded our defence and the striker rounded the keeper and slotted away well into the corner. 3D’s kept on pressing forward and full back Joe Owen was a constant threat on the right wing overlapping from full back, along with Ellis Kostyk who was instrumental in all our best moves from the centre of midfield. After 11 mins 3D’s drew level with a great strike from Sam Carr. The ball fell to him on the edge of the area from our corner and his powerful shot was too hot for the goalie to handle and the ball nestled into the back of the net. 3D’s kept on playing the better football but where always mindful of the pace of the South Manchester forwards. After 25 mins South Manchester took the lead again when another defensive error allowed the ball to bounce and presented the striker with an easy finish. 2-1 was the halftime score line a lead that we felt was against the run of play.

3D’s started really brightly in the second half and where level within a minute through a well taken goal by Callum Faulkner when he converted a cross from the right by Jack Lees after some excellent build up play. 3D’s continued to press forward but where caught on the break and South Manchester took the lead. Within 2 mins it was 4-2 when the ball was played into the area from a free kick, it took a few ricochets and then unluckily found its way into the back of the net. Within 3 mins it was 5-2 after a long ball over the top allowed the pacy striker to run through and chip the keeper for a neat finish. 3D’s kept going forward and kept playing all the football and Josh White forced the opposition keeper into a couple of fine saves. In the last minute of the game Callum Faulkner capitalised on a lapse in defence to complete the scoring and the game finished 5-3 to South Manchester.

A big thank you to all our loyal supporters. MOM – Ellis Kostyk