Home v North Manchester Boys

Result - Reddish North End 2 North Manchester Boys 6 (Friendly game arranged)

Team coach (James) views on the game:

A friendly that seemed like a good idea at the time turned into a disastrous day for both clubs, despite escaping the predicted snow showers. There was a freezing cold wind blowing across the pitch but the bright conditions and good ground conditions made it a little bit easier.

For Reddish, the first half performance was one of the worst of the season and we were 4-0 behind at half time. Without Daniel in midfield (away on holiday) we struggled to retain possession, with several players in unfamiliar positions, and ending up fending off attack after attack. Players were drifting all over the field and not staying in position, and despite several good pieces of defending – and a superb penalty save from Callum - there were too many moments to forget. In attack we threatened sporadically and were denied a penalty when the ref was the only one who didn’t spot a handball – Jamie and Michael also went close.
In the second half we effectively drew 2-2, a more determined performance saw some better moments of pressure, with Michael bagging two more goals. However, we were still all too reliant upon Callum to keep the score down as North M’cr found too many gaps and too few tackles in our midfield and defence. I have got a lot of thinking to do – and the players a huge amount of work to do - to ensure we improve this before our last four league games.

I mentioned that it was a disastrous day for both clubs, because along with the bad defeat for Reddish, there was a sickening incident in the first half which saw North M’cr striker Mark Donegan (their manager’s son) carried off the field after a collision with goalkeeper Callum Williams. Both players went wholeheartedly for a 50-50 ball in the penalty area, and Mark collapsed in agony as a result. An ambulance was called and it was later confirmed that Mark had broken his right leg in two places.
This obviously overshadowed everything. It was the sort of challenge that occurs week after week in game after game, without incident, and it needs to be clearly said that no-one from either club attaches any blame whatsoever to Callum – it was an extremely unfortunate accident. When I spoke to parents later no-one could believe that such a horrible injury could have occurred from such an unremarkable challenge, and the referee was also genuinely shocked when he discovered the extent of Mark’s injury.

Jake and I, along with captain Callum Nightingale, later visited Mark and his dad in hospital and took them some small gifts, food, and sweets from the club. I also showed Mark several text messages I had from concerned parents wishing him well. They were very grateful and it was encouraging to see Mark, although still in pain, more comfortable and in better spirits. He faces a long road to full recovery but obviously the very best wishes from all at Reddish NE go to him, his parents and all at North Manchester.