Under 12's. Home v Wythenshawe Town (Challenge Cup semi final)

  Result - Reddish North End 0 Wythenshawe Town 1

As I was away for this match – at a wedding in Southend – I have compiled a report based upon what the parents have told me about today’s game.

As you can see, Reddish narrowly failed to reach a second final in a season, going down to a single goal against ‘A’ division Wythenshawe in a tight, hard-fought encounter. For only the second time in 23 games since the season started, we failed to score, and when the visitors scored shortly into the second half it was enough to settle the match.

By all accounts Reddish put in a sterling effort, defending really well and creating some moments of pressure. However, having played Wythenshawe in a friendly some weeks ago, they had clearly learned some lessons, putting two or three players onto Sam at times and thus stifling much of our attacking thrust. There was plenty for our defence to cope with, where Chris played in an unfamiliar role at left-back, but once he found his legs he put in a great performance. The decisive moment came when no-one managed to get a tackle in, and a Wythenshawe player cut through into the box to finish.

Everyone has been really complementary about the team’s performance and even though I was on pins all morning I was confident that, come what may, the boys would not let themselves down. Dave and Rob, who took charge today, couldn’t fault the effort, attitude or application, and to lose by a single goal to a very good side is certainly no disgrace. The boys can definitely be pleased with themselves – someone has to lose in cup games, and it sounds like we lost in the right way, without giving up and with 100% being given right across the team. It was evidently a good game to watch.

I rang the Wythenshawe manager to offer my congratulations and wish them all the best for the final – and, playing Clayton Villa, they will need it! Mike said that he felt his side edged it on the day and created the better chances but was also impressed with the Reddish performance, and for sure his side could never relax until the final whistle. But there are no complaints from our side about the result and, as I have said, we wish Wythenshawe well for the final.

And, as numerous texts kept reaching me en-route to the wedding, it transpires that the day was not without a silver lining! In the league fixtures, third-place North Manchester Boys, who are trying to catch us up, were at home to lowly Denton Youth, who had beaten us the week before. North Manchester were 2-0 up with 15 minutes left – and lost 4-2! This means that one more win from our three remaining fixtures will make 2^nd spot ours. Of course we will aim to win all three and finish the season on a massive high.

Before we return to league action, we have the small matter of the ‘B’ Division League Cup Final at Woodley Sports next week, against all-conquering Clayton Villa. Clayton have won our division, they’ve beaten three ‘A’ Division sides (including the ‘A’ Division leaders) to reach the Challenge Cup Final, and we remain the only side who has scored against them in open play this season! So as challenges go they don’t come any tougher! But of course this also means that no-one is expecting anything other than a Clayton win next week, so the boys can play free of pressure and hopefully give another really good account of themselves.

Man of the match: Callum W

Scorers :