10/10/09 3Ds Under 10s showed that they are no 'Saddleworth Softies' as they ground out 2 hard fought and exciting draws away at Manchester Tigers. The 'B' Team were up first and they more than played their part in a thrilling encounter with the Tigers 'B' team. 3Ds took the lead in the first few seconds when James Fish chased and harried the Tigers defence into an error, leaving the 3ds striker the simple task of crashing the ball into the net from close range. Tigers, always tough opposition in terms of both their football ability and their more physical than most approach to the game, equalised midway through the first half when 3 3Ds players decided it was time for a snooze, and they completely ignored their markers to allow the equaliser. Undaunted by the loud Tigers crowd, our B Team mounted a succession of corners. One of those corners, taken by 'neat-feet', Michael Jones, was bravely fought for by our new scoring sensation Mr Fish, leaving the very hard working striker to poke home his second goal to give 3Ds a 2-1 half time lead. The second half proved a tense affair as both sides probed for further goals, but neither side looked like scoring that often. Tigers equaliser came from 3Ds trying to do 'the right thing' - playing from the back, through midfield, rather than hoofing the ball forward. However, 3Ds came unstuck and a long range Tigers effort managed to creep past Lewis Burton in the 3Ds goal to draw the match square a 2-2. Fair result in the end, even though in the first period Tigers had to rely on their keeper to pull off at least 2 wonderful saves for a lad of his age and size. The 'A' team game proved no less dramatic, and again showed the tough side of the 3Ds players as they scrapped hard for a win. Whilst 'we would say it wouldn't we', we thought that the 'A' team deserved a win in this game for their territorial control, but it was not to be, against another tough, yet entertaining, Tigers side. 3Ds could have taken the lead in the first 5 minutes, but a Devon Matthews penalty was well saved by the Tigers keeper. Tigers took full advantage at the other end when further sleepy defending allowed Tigers to score. Half time 1 - 0 to Tigers. 3Ds grabbed hold of the game in the second period and quickly grabbed an equaliser - and what a brave, hard working effort it was. Substitute striker Oli Sturge was the hero, as he raced half the length of the field, winning 2 strong tackles before driving a perfect shot into the bottom left corner of the Tigers goal. The remainder of the half was nip and tuck, with 3Ds edging the balance
of play, and showing what a neat and attractive passing side they are becoming. 2 good results against tough opponents. This was a further step forward for the Under 10s who are responding well to what they are being asked to do on the training ground and on matchday. James Fish and Oli Sturge are proving fine examples of players who have much more talent than they have previously shown. Keep up the hard work boys. |
26/09/09 3Ds Under 10s continued with their early season promise and acheived 2 brilliant away wins at Hough End last saturday. The B team played first and were well worth their 2-1 victory, even managing to miss several other clear opportunities to give the scoreline a more flattering appearance. 3Ds took the lead with a training ground move. The goal came from a 3Ds throw in deep in Hough End territory. Josh Reeves took the throw in, tossing the ball into the feet of Michael Jones. Jones controlled the ball and laid it back to Josh who controlled the ball himself, before drilling a low shot-cum-cross which found its way into the bottom right corner of the Hough End goal. Hough
End equalised soon after when 3Ds switched off and failed to mark their
men. However, 3Ds lead was soon restored when the hard working
James Fish raced away to score the winner just before the half time whistle. 3Ds
could have added more in the second period, but had to settle for a 2-1
win. The A team enjoyed a thumping 4-0 win over Hough End A team, but this was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. Hough End were the better side in the first half as 3Ds took too long to get into their stride. Hough End played neat football without really looking like scoring too often. 3Ds were lucky to come off at half time with a 1 goal lead, courtesy of James Gregory. The 3Ds manager reminded his players of their duties at half time, and the second half proved to be a much classier and organised performance from 3Ds. Our boys rattled in 3 more goals - from James Gregory, Devon Matthews and Lewis Burton - without reply from Hough End. Bit lucky in the first half, but thoroughly deserved in the second half. The Hough End manager paid the team the ultimate compliment at the end of the game, by saying he couldn't choose a 3Ds man of the match as the performance had been so good. Therefore, we chose our own - Devon Matthews getting the MOM award, narrowly ahead of Will Wright. Well done boys - another great morning's work. Steve |
Saturday 19/9/09 3Ds Under 10s emerged with moral victories from their 2 entertaining matches with Fletcher Moss at Clayton Playing Fields. Both
3Ds sides were without recognised goalkeepers and other players were
unavailable. Therefore, a bit of team improvisation was needed. The
B team played their hearts out in a superb encounter with Fletcher Moss'
B team. Moss took the lead early on, and held the lead to half time. The B team emerged from the break with great determination, and grabbed a deserved equaliser early in the second period when Oliver Sturge poked home from close range following good work from Sam Gamble and James Fish. At 1-1, the game was delicately poised, and 3Ds could have grabbed a decisive lead when Fish raced clear. However, the lively midfield player lost composure and could only drag his shot wide. With time running out Moss snatched the game with 2 further goals - the first goal was a superb individual effort; the second a goalkeeping error. The Bs deserved a draw at minimum. Sturge and Fish were outstanding. The A team went even closer to a win against Moss's impressive A team. The A team took the lead in the first half with a resounding penalty from Devon Matthews. Other chances came and went for 3Ds throughout the game. Moss grabbed a barely deserved equaliser with only 2 minutes to play, as, for once, the 3Ds defence went to sleep on the job. Final score 1-1. Flynn Bradley and James Gregory starred for the A team. Both the A and B sides emerged with great credit from these 2 exciting matches, against impressive Moss teams. 3Ds paid for their wasteful finishing in both matches. Steve
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Saturday 12/9/09 3D Under 10s had a solid start to their season in the EMJFL. The team's first fixture was away at Denton Youth. The B Team achieved a creditable 0-0 result, and, on balance, could count themselves unlucky not to have won the match. The A Team produced a fine display to see off Denton's A Team. 3Ds won their match 3-1, with a result that does not refelct their superiority in the game. Goals came from Sam Darke Williams (2) and George Walsh. Steve |