LADYBRIDGE COUNTY JFC

   Providing local football for youths in and around Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Cheshire.

Retired 2007 U17's Information

Under 17's Match Reports

Season 2006-2007

Spurley Hey    3    Ladybridge     0

Keeper Adam White kept the score to 1-0 in a languid first half although James Russell volleyed against the bar a few minutes before half time, unfortunately Ladybridge players merely watched the rebound and the keeper was able to recover and gather the ball. A better second half, but Ladybridge twice failed to clear crosses to concede goals. Joel Davies' had a powerful left foot shot tipped round the post by the Spurley keeper, but throughout the game the Spurley players were moving better off the ball and were quicker to the loose ball. Some last ditch tackling by Jimmy Pheasey, Chris Jones and Liam Chapman prevented a worse scoreline, but we can play much better. The only positive note was that we were still able to put pressure on the Spurley goal in the last 20 minutes when effectively down to 10 players because of injuries.   

Info courtesy of Geraint     

Chapel Town Matches

The first two games of the season were both played against Chapel Town because of teams dropping out of the league.

Both were lost - 4-1 and 5-2, but were not a fair reflection of the quality of the football although they did reflect the quality of the finishing. In the first match, a fine 20 yard shot put Chapel Town in the lead in spite of the better football being played by Ladybridge and although Ladybridge equalised mid-way through the second half, a defensive error gave Chapel Town the lead late on, and in added time, two more Chapel Town goals gave the impression of a dominant victory as players moved up to get an equaliser against a team that was always dangerous on the break.

In the first half of the second match, Ladybridge played well when they had the ball, but Chapel Town were quicker to the loose ball and much sharper around the penalty area. Anticipating and creating rather than waiting to see what was going to happen. Nevertheless, the 4-0 scoreline was flattering, especially as Ladybridge put a penalty over the bar – justice perhaps because the foul was outside the area.

In the second half, Ladybridge dominated much of the game although they were occasionally exposed when Chapel Town broke, and a fifth goal was conceded before scoring twice and making a number of other good chances to improve the scoreline. Ladybridge would have been well in the lead if shooting at the goalkeeper’s chest was awarded points.

Disappointing results for a team that was always looking to control and pass the ball out of defence and was able to put together a number of 4 and 5 pass moves while under pressure, unusual in junior football.

The management are happy though, it’s all about playing the game in the right way, both in technique and in spirit, even if you want to curse inside when you feel that the scores are unjustified!  

All the squad have played well in these games. There have been a few errors, but that’s to be expected at the pace these games have been played, nevertheless the skill levels are good and there has been much inventive play that is a pleasure to watch.

Season 2005-2006

22nd January 2006      Cheadle Eagles  2     Ladybridge County   4     

In spite of exhortations to start the game positively Ladybridge were poor in the opening few minutes, permitting Eagles to get behind the defence to create good scoring chances. Fortunately, keeper Adam White made an excellent save from a powerful shot in the second minute, and a few minutes later came quickly off his line to narrow the angle as an Eagles forward ran through, the shot with the outside of the foot rolling a foot past the left hand post.

Eagles’ early domination was unrewarded, and in the seventh minute Ollie Abbott crossed to the far post where Jimmy Pheasey’s controlled volley gave Ladybridge the lead. Although the goal presaged a period of Ladybridge pressure, Eagles got the goal their early play merited when a powerful shot came back off the crossbar into the path of the lone forward who finished from close range, a reward for following up the shot.

Unfazed by the equaliser, Ladybridge ensured that most of the play remained in the Eagles’ half, and took the lead when Jimmy Pheasey rolled a perfect pass into the space between the centre and left backs for Ollie Abbott’s blind-side run, his shot from a difficult angle went into the far top corner, for one of the best goals the season. The lead was extended by James Heritage just before half time. The Eagles keeper parried his first shot, but James reacted quickly giving Ladybridge a deserved 3-1 lead.

Eagles were often limited to poorly supported forays into the Ladybridge half, but both their forwards were dangerous when running at goal, it usually needing two or three defenders to prevent scoring opportunities. Within ten minutes of the second half Andy Bramwell scored his first goal for Ladybridge, remaining composed in the penalty area to shield the ball from a defender and push the ball past the keeper into the corner of the goal. But for wayward shooting, Ladybridge would have increased their lead. Often shooting from too far out, or going for the near instead of the far post. Ollie Abbott continued to create chances in spite of being closely marke, one 25 yard diagonal pass with the outside of his foot giving Stuart Jenks time to cut in from the left wing, but the shot went into the side netting. Late in the game,

Eagles scored a second goal with a good finish from near the penalty spot. Given the possession and the territorial advantage, it was a deserved victory, but the finishing must improve. (info courtesy of Geraint)

15th January 2006         Ladybridge County    0     Hattersley    2

The team’s three match winning run ended with a 2-0 home defeat against second placed Hattersley.

During the first half, Ladybridge were unable to score against the excellent Hattersley keeper who was quick to come off his line to save shots from Jimmy Pheasey, but the team ended the half confident that they could go on to win the game.

Following a half time lecture from the referee, the Hattersley team focused more on football in a match that saw four of their team cautioned for bad challenges and persistent foul play, and they scored twice in the second half. The first with a close range header, the second with a well executed chip from a narrow angle. After the first half performance, the result was disappointing for Ladybridge, although they were weakened in the second half by the loss of midfielder Matt Fisher, defender Anthony Jackson and goalkeeper Adam White to muscle strains. Anthony’s departure reduced the team to ten, but he bravely returned to finish the game. It was, however, an excellent performance against a team that’s only lost one match this season.  (info courtesy of Geraint)   

8th January 2006         Ladybridge County    5     Spurley Hey    2

With 2 goals apiece from Ollie Abbott and Matt Fisher, and one from James Heritage, Ladybridge gained a fine 5-2 home victory over Spurley Hey.

Ollie’s goals showed the virtue of both getting into the 6 yard box and having the determination to be first to the loose ball – too often players watch to see what’s going to happen, by which time it’s too late to make an impact. The trick is to anticipate rather than to react. It does help having long legs though! James’ goal, the fifth, was a composed finish, placing the ball just inside the far post from the corner of the penalty area as the goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle.

Late in the game, James Russell hit the crossbar following good passing between Anthony Coulson, Jimmy Pheasey and Anthony Jackson. As with the previous games, the defence was excellent with Matt Skinner and Chris Jones dominating the high ball and fullback Alex Marriott showing excellent positional play to come across goal to prevent what would have been a good scoring opportunity.

Towards the end of the game, with Ladybridge leading 5-1, Spurley focused on their game and put the home team under pressure, scoring a good volleyed goal from a half-cleared corner. Although they have talented players in their team, who showed excellent composure on the ball, the focus should be on the game, not on debating decisions and blame! The return game will be difficult against a focused Spurley team. (info courtesy of Geraint)   

19th December 2005         Ladybridge County 2   Moor Celtic 1 

Although Moor Celtic kept up a good tempo throughout the match, and were often first to any loose ball, the result was more comfortable than the score suggests after Ladybridge took a 2-0 lead in the second half.

The Ladybridge defence again played well, leaving Adam White in goal with little to do.  A late, and surprising penalty, left Ladybridge to defend their lead for the last few minutes. Well-placed in the corner, Adam was given no chance to save the shot.  As with previous matches, Ladybridge created and missed good scoring opportunities and their first goal was an own goal conceded when a Moor Celtic defender attempted to clear the ball a yard or so from the goal line. A second half goal, scored by James Russell, followed an excellent and powerful header by Anthony Coulson that put James through to poke the ball past the keeper.

Earlier, what seemed an obvious penalty was refused by the referee when James Heritage was tripped by the Moor Celtic keeper as he attempted to run past him to reach the ball to score. (info courtesy of Geraint)   

11th December 2005        Lostock 1   Ladybridge County 2 

In spite of missing a number of good chances the U16s beat Lostock 2-1 away on 11 December to complete a rare double, having beaten them 4-1 at home in the first fixture of the season.

A late penalty for Lostock aged the spectators, but the defence played exceptionally well, the opposing manager complaining to his team that they hadn’t won a header all game. (info courtesy of Geraint)

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