U10s Match Reports 28th January....

Stalybridge Celtic Blues 0 v 7 Reddish Vulcans...By Alun Ireland.........

The Blues struggled against an excellent Vulcans team who gave them a lesson in passing and movement.

Whereas Stalybridge never really got their passing game going, Vulcans were well organised, first to most loose balls, pacy up front and made few mistakes.

The boys seemed down at the start of the game, when they were warming up – even though with 10 minutes to go until kick off there were not enough players to make up a team.

And once the game began, it was one way traffic. Blues struggled to get out of their own half for long periods, and it was no surprise when the first goal came thanks to a good finish from the right.

Tom saved with his feet, before Stalybridge had their first pressure of the match, Jack I fouled on halfway, leading to a long free kick causing the Vulcans trouble in defence. Tom then pulled off two outstanding saves, clawing a shot onto his post and out, before Vulcans possession told.

Two quick goals before half time were deserved, and two more shortly after the break put the game beyond the Blues.

Playing just for pride, Tyler found the space for some of his trademark runs, but nothing came off for the Blues, and two late goals made it 7-0 to Vulcans.

Stalybridge Celtic Whites 1 v 9 Reddish Vulcans

The plan to have one side much stronger than the other failed to gain any reward as the Whites found the Vulcans’ second half display too hot to handle.

Stalybridge started well, with Jack C troubling the keeper with a header and then a shot from distance. And it was probably against the run of play when Vulcans went ahead with a shot from outside the box which was awkward for Deacon and ended up in the back of the net.

The Whites then lost the midfield battle and were caught a couple of times before half time as the Vulcans, with their number 19 dominating, found space to pass their way to the edge of the box, scoring to make it 2-0 at half time. Only a fine save from Deacon right on the whistle kept them in it.

When Jack C halved the lead with a shot that seemed to go through the Vulcans keeper, there was all to play for. But it was Reddish who stepped up the pace and passing to restore their lead to two goals, and then take advantage of a Stalybridge team who knew the game was gone.

A fine effort from William came in between a further six goals for Vulcans, making the scoreline 9-1.

It was a collective off day for both Stalybridge teams, but that should not take away from a fantastic Reddish team who were better in every aspect of the game on the day.