Manchester Unified 3 Inter Didsbury 2
Match Report - Provided by Paul Mackay
With a disappointing turnout due to a variety of commitments and illnesses, Inter knew that they had to be at their best and put everything that they had into the game against top of the league. It was to prove an extremely frustrating day.
1st Half.
On the day when we launch our sparkling new kit the boys were full of optimism and it was Inter who started the brighter of the two teams. All well organised Inter midfield saw them shave the possession in the first half hour of the game. As early as the 5 minute saw Mackay presented with a glorious chance to put Inter 1-0 up. A fortunate through ball sneaked its way past the defender with Mackay quickest to react with plenty of time, space with only the keeper to beat from a tight angle, he managed to somehow squeeze it past the far post for a goal kick.
This gave the home side some hope and they pressed forward looking for the games opener. This created space for Inter and on 25 minutes they opened the scoring with a fine solo strike from Karagah, 0-1! This was to prove costly as Navid injured himself in the process and could no longer take part, so after trying to play on for 5 minutes he was replaced by Illidge.
Inter had another superb chance to go a further goal up as a corner kick was swung high and long to the back post to find Mackay who had slipped his marker only for him to header over the bar. This was looking more and more likely that it wasnt going to be the strikers day.
Despite the advantage the loss of the goal scorer seemed to unsettle Inter and galvanise Unified as they took control. Within a few minutes they had equalised after some intense pressure on Frontczak's goal frame, 1-1.
A chance from Inter saw a great solo run down the right hand side by Williams to get a low front post cross in but Mackay was not quick off the mark and the defender nipped in before him for a unfruitful corner.
The confidence demise continued further as Unified took the game by the scruff of the neck and after hitting the bar twice in as many minutes their striker reacted quickest to nod the rebound into the empty net, 2-1.
Inter by now had started to concentrate again but were desperatley looking for the half-time whistle. A great footballing move had the home defence on the back foot but ended with Mackay firing high over the bar from outside the box where the easier pass to Morris seemed like the better option.
A harmless simple ball through did however have the home sides hearts in their mouths as Mackay chased down the ball and turned his defender only to get a shot in at close range from a tight angle for the keeper to make a superb reflex save and touch the ball onto the bar for another Inter corner.
2nd Half
With an encouraging 2nd half team talk the team knew that we were better than the scoreline had leant itself to believe, however it wasnt to start off that way. With sustained pressure right from the start of the second half by the home side Frontczak had to pull off a number of superb saves along with the back line who had adjusted with Byrne moving into midfield to cover Karagah and Illidge slotting into the left back position to keep the team firmly in the game.
Once the stormed had been weathered Inter started to play some good football and success was being had on both flanks with Williams and Nick proving a constant threat for the home side.
With the midway point in the half seeing an equal share of possession, Inters long awaited break through happened. A short freekick from Fran just over the halfway line gave Moody a great opportunity to strike from 25yards only to be denied from a great one handed save byt he keeper. From the resulting corner Fran challenged in the air only for himself and his header to be smothered by three Unified defenders. However as the ball bounced around the six yard box, Fran reacted quickest by lunging forward to toe bash low past the keeper, 2-2!
With Byrne having to leave due to prior engagements after having an excellent game commanding in the centre of midfield it looked like Inter would have to play with 10 men. Until the injured Emyrs Jones stepped up into the fray and proved and superb substitution on the left wing with Nick dropping into fill Steves place.
At this point Inters heads were up and the simple passing started to create openings. With ten minutes remaining Williams chased and effort into the box only to time it perfectly for 40+ American footballers walking by to let out a girly scream in a vain effort to win a penalty, he was rightly heckled by all!
In fact the most disappointing aspect of the game for me was it was an encouraging Inter attack that Unified were to wrap up the points from. Superb play down the right hand side by Moody, Williams and Morris who were a constant threat all afternoon, saw Moody play a ball into Mackays feet on the edge of the 18 yard box. Having run out of ideas and not having any options the ball was giving cheeply away. From the counter attack their big midfielder collected the ball from about 20 yards out before slamming the ball home low to the Frontczaks left hand side. Inters disappointing day was complete, 3-2!
Despite the final result there was a bag load of points to take encouragment from. Superb individual displays and team play shows that we are starting to get to know each other this early on in the season. We were maybe under strengthed and maybe missing key players, yet we took top of the league right to the wire in a game that I dont think we would have not deserved at least a draw. The defence were superb and all three of their goals did come from shots outside the box. The midfield made superb use of the wings and linked well in the centre despite Alex having to get use to 3 different centre mid partners throughout the game. Despite the attack not taking any chances there was good link up play between them and the midfield as well as superb workrate and getting into the positions for chances. An extended thanks goes out to Colin who was once again superb at standing in as the Goalkeeper but had better watch out as it might end up being his position, another sterling performance. Also to those who came down despite not being able to play, Snowy, Biff, Dave, Gareth and of course Emyrs who made it a real battle to the end for coming on for Steve.
Lets get this next game started because I know that I myself have a lot to prove after this match, lets win it.
Team: Frontczak, Byrne (E. Jones 75mins), Hodnett, Cochlin, Moody, Nick, Mather, Karagah (Illidge 30mins), Williams, Morris, Mackay
Subs Not Used: None |
