Egerton Vs Davenham 5/2/2011

Davenham 2-0 Egerton Panthers



Missed Chances Prove Costly



With most all other games in Mid Cheshire called off due to the torrential rain, it came as a surprise that the game dubbed by the gaffer as “our local derby” went ahead. With the ground as heavy as it was, with puddles large enough to lose Archie in, the Panthers knew from the first whistle it was going to be hard going. With pride at stake both teams flew at each other in the opening stages with crunching tackles flying in from Ed Franklin. With the pitch beginning to cut up from the start, Panthers wingers Luke and Leo were finding it hard to use their pace and trickery down the wings so most of the play was conducted in the centre of the pitch.

For long periods of the first half, the pace of the game was slow, the mud now having a large part to play. The Panthers were forced into shooting from distance and their best effort of the first half was struck by Leo, although it missed the target by a good few yards which summed up a tough first half during which neither team really threatened the goal. HT 0-0

A shake up at half time seemed to lift the Panthers and a swift move down the right by Alex released Ollie, who looked up and spotted Adam steaming into the box, Ollie smashed the ball across the 6 yard line into the path of Adam to set up what looked like a certain goal, but the ball skipped off the muddy surface, connected with his shin pad and with the keeper already beaten, the ball flew the wrong side of the upright. In top of the table clashes like these, chances don’t come too often. However this was not the case when only minutes later Adam flashed the ball across the box towards the on rushing Alex only for him to misjudge the bounce and fire his shot wide. Would the missed chances prove costly? Yes!

Five minutes from time, Davenham swung a corner in for it to be met on the half volley and fired past Mitch, who could do nothing about it, to put Davenham ahead. 1-0. A roll of the dice was then made, Andy was replaced by Ollie and the ever dependable Ben was left on his own in defence as the Panthers pushed for an equaliser. A chance fell to Leo on the edge of the area moments later, only for his effort to be smashed straight at the keeper. The resulting goal kick lead to a 2 on 1 situation and a clever ball fed the Davenham striker to score their second 2-0. FT

As the team talk stated at the end of the game, on another day our earlier chances would have hit the back of the net and the game would have been completely different. With the conditions as bad as they were, the Panthers should not look back in anger, but look forward to the Albert Steele.



Davenham 1-3 Egerton Pumas



Heated game ends in Pumas victory



Looking at the pitch before the start of this game, you’d have thought this game would be scrappy, hard work and controversial?? The Pumas started brightly, slogging their way through the mud. Jacko was all energy and Ben was his usual strong self in midfield. The Pumas seemed to have Davenham on the back foot and capitalised on this when a chance fell to Stan, who as calm as you like, slotted the ball home to give the away team a much deserved 1-0 lead. Bradley was trying his hardest to glide down the wing, using every trick in his book, and a pin point cross for Stan almost made it two nil, but the fox in the box couldn’t get a big enough touch.

The game was beginning to get scrappy with the ground becoming more and more like a mud bath, however the Pumas maintained their high level of play and deservedly went into the half time break 1-0.

The second half started with a bang. With only 30 seconds on the clock, a flowing move feature Jack and Bradley saw the latter feed Ben a pass that would see him 1 on 1 with the keeper, Ben picked his spot and smashed the ball into the bottom corner 2-0. Both teams began to cancel each other out and it seemed that Davenham were going to be unable to beat outstanding stand in Goalie Archie until a half chance fell to the Davenham striker to chip over our on rushing keeper to make it 2-1. Davenham now had their tails up and pushed for an equaliser, especially as Jack had to leave the field injured leaving Egerton with only 6 players. However then came the flash point. A through ball saw Stan sprint into the box, only for his to be tripped in the box.....PENALTY!! Not according to the Davenham parents who disagreed and began hurling abuse at the referee, although the culprits managed to stay camouflaged!! Bradley stepped up to take the spot kick but slid his effort wide, massive cheers came from the home team, devastation fell on Bradley. Would the captain let this affect him, at first we thought yes, but when the ball was cleared by Tom from the Egerton defence moments later, Bradley somehow managed to half volley a back heel through to Stan in the box who, without hesitation, slotted the ball past the keeper. 3-1, great celebrations and the smile was back on the captains face. Fantastic, gritty performance by the Pumas today who were up for the battle and came out on top FT 3-1.