Stanningley U-9s v Garforth Villa U-9s

A bright but cold morning and a sticky pitch but both teams began the first of two friendly games well, trying to pass the ball about in the tricky conditions.

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The first serious effort on goal came from stanningley when a neat move gave the left midfielder an opening but his shot was pushed over the bar by Villa's kepper Michael Jabin. Both teams pushed forward and the deadlock was broken when after being awarded a corner Ethan Howcroft cross was powerfully headed into the goal by Oliver Worland.

Villa then settled down and increased their pocession. The second Villa goal came from a goal mouth scramble and Joe Wilton was on hand to slide the ball across the line after the stanningley keeper lost control of it. 2-0 at half time.

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The second half was very similar and eventually Villa converted for a third when Joe took the ball almost to the corner flag and swung in a cross over the keeper and found James Taylor in the middle of the goal who tucked it away. Stanningley then broke up field and after parrying a clever shot Michael could make up the ground to stop the rebound being slide into the bottom corner. Both teams enjoyed the game, 3-1 the final score.

In the second game Villa again started brightly and looked to press home an advantage. When Keiran Watson let fly after a strong run down the right wing it looked certain it would break the stalemate but it hit the post and rebounded out into the penalty area.

Fortunately Kewell Morley was awake to the opportunity and side footed home from a couple of yards. Not long after Keiran agin found himself galloping down the wing and this time his right foot shot did beat the keeper and nestled into the back of the net. Stanningley never gave up and looked to break at Villas defence and came up with a well taken goal from their left sided striker who slotted a shot passed the keeper from an accute angle.

One more chance before half time and Kewell calmly converted to make it 3-1 at half time.

The second half was very even and the only goal of the period came when Oliver picked the ball up just outside the box and beat the keeper with a fierce shot. Conner Lockett then put numerous crosses in from the left for Villa but was unlucky not to find a team mate on the end of one, the closest being Michael desperate lung at the far post as the ball beat him and the post.


Both teams are looking forward to a re-match back at Villa's Swillington home pitch