Under 12's. Home v AFC Oldham

(Challenge Cup Quarter final)

  Result - Reddish North End 7 AFC Oldham 1

The boys eased into the Challenge Cup semi-final today with an emphatic win over AFC Oldham. Reddish were always in control of the match and only a mad 5 minutes when we gifted our opponents a goal and allowed them a bit of pressure towards the end of the first half slightly spoiled an excellent performance.

However, by the time Oldham did score we were already 3-0 up and shortly after this Sam crowned a superb first half display with a fourth goal to give him yet another hat-trick. As well as three really good finishes Sam also provided the corner which Jamie bravely headed in, and with several other good chances created the game was effectively over at the interval. It’s a lovely position to be in and I know how fortunate I have been this season to be able to relax and simply sort out the substitutions for the second period. There really wasn’t much to say apart from congratulating and encouraging the boys and drawing a discreet veil over the defending that was straight out of the Billy Smarts Circus coaching manual!

In the second half Reddish looked threatening every time we got forward and in truth I think Oldham, clearly dispirited, were just willing the game to be over with. Certainly when we found our range again after a few near misses, with Jamie spendidly lobbing the keeper, it was just a question of how many. Great work from Sam saw him ping over a cross which any one of three Reddish players could have headed in – Callum B got there first – and then Sam burst into the box to rifle home his fourth and number 7. The ref’s whistle came shortly afterwards and it was another great morning for the team, I was delighted with all of them.

I made plenty of substitutions today so it was only in the last 15 minutes that the regular starting XI were on the pitch. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that we bagged three goals in that time, and kept Oldham comfortably at bay, but the whole squad contributed today to get us in a strong position. Louis looked lively, Chris and Alex also made some good interceptions, while captain Josh had another excellent game. Callum W got a boot in his neck after a brave dive at the feet of an Oldham player but got up and continued to be absolutely rock-solid, while all the other boys played some good stuff and combined to overwhelm our opponents today. Sam was deservedly nominated man-of-the-match, it’s great seeing him play with a smile on his face and his finishing today was brilliant – the Oldham parents kept telling me Sam looked tired and needed subbing, they were desperate to get him off the field!

There is no doubt we thoroughly deserved our win today, and Oldham must be sick of the sight of us. In five games against them this season we’ve scored 26 times! Today’s was the easiest of all the wins, but they are struggling at the moment with internal strife, their recently departed ex-manager has persuaded some players to leave the team and the remaining parents are trying to hold the team together and keep spirits up – I don’t envy them. But it was nice to play in a friendly, calm atmosphere on an ideal morning for football, and we wish all the Oldham players, parents and new management team the very best for the rest of their fixtures.

As for Reddish, another semi-final! And intriguingly, it will be Wythenshawe at home at a date to be decided….so after our recent friendly win over the ‘A’ division heavyweights, another chance to have a crack at them! However, we now know there’s nothing to fear and it should be a tight, good contest. They will want revenge and we would love to make it two finals in a season! 

Next week we are back at North Reddish Park for a league clash with bottom club Denton Youth.

Scorers: Sam (4) Jamie (2) Callum B (1)

Man of the match: Sam