Match Report- 21/08/2011 v Howden Clough A (Home-Friendly)

Wibsey Lions, still on a high from their first
game two weeks ago, in which they defeated Horton Foxes in a close
encounter; were once again facing tough opponents. This time it was
the more familiar Huddersfield League team Howden Clough.
Howden had defeated the team last season (as Wyke Wanderers) 13-4 in
the Cup. Although the team has greatly changed since then, however
Howden Clough still have a reputation as one of the best teams in the
Huddersfield League.



Wibsey seemed to be up against it, with no
goalkeeper and only 11 players, against Howden Clough with 3
substitutes. However despite this, Wibsey started much the stronger
side.



The Lions had a roaring start, Josh Thompson
proving what a quality player he is, creating all sorts of problems
for the Clough defence. Connor Rhodes was also very lively and was
unlucky not to give Wibsey a lead on two occasions, but the Clough
keeper saved them both comfortably.



The new-look midfield were well up for the
challenge and won every ball In the middle. Mikey Brooksbank and
Callum Docherty were well up for a battle today, whilst Nathan Khan
appeared much more lively!



The Lions took the lead on 13 minutes, Connor
slotting through Josh Thompson who 1v1, finished very casually, past
the keeper. Wibsey had a deserved 1 goal lead.



Only 30 seconds later and Wibsey scored a second,
a poor pass from a Clough player gave Connor Rhodes possession, he
burst past the last defender, and his shot bobbled over the
goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Wibsey continued to dominate, it was brilliant to
see Nathan Khan looking like his old self in midfield, getting stuck
in, and Howden Clough were struggling to get hold of the ball.




Defensively Wibsey were also very strong. It was
the first time Davis Peel and Damien Hields had played together, but
they looked very good, and seemed to have a good understanding of
each other.



Wibsey extended their lead further after 17
minutes, Nathan Khan did well to dispossess a midfielder, and he
advanced towards the goal and fired a shot into the roof of the net,
a cracking finish! The old Nathan Khan was back!! Wibsey 3-0.



Thing just kept getting better for Wibsey. Tai
Pedder was having a stormer filling in, in goals. He was very steady,
pulling off a couple of comfortable saves, and his goal kicks were
very good.



A couple of minutes after the last goal, the Lions
were celebrating a 4^th. Mikey Brooksbank’s fantastic
throw was controlled perfectly by Josh Thompson, who easily rounded
the defender and blasted past the keeper to give him his second and
Wibsey’s fourth goal. Another fantastic performance from the new
boy!



Howden Clough still couldn’t break through the
back four, Damo and Davis looked like they had player together for
years, and Abel and Jake were keeping their flanks very safe.



Connor Rhodes was once again proving too hot to
handle for the Clough defence, he was desperately unlucky not to
score another two goals, putting both narrowly wide. He was receiving
some excellent service from Callum and Michael.



Howden Clough gave themselves a lifeline, late in
the half, a fantastic shot zipped into the far post, and Clough had a
goal back.



Wibsey had a wobble for the last five minutes,
Davis Peel’s backpass almost gave them at 2^nd goal, but
fortunately the Striker, who had intercepted, crossed the ball into a
team mate who put it wide. A bit of a let of for the Lions.



Howden Clough finished the first half well, and
were a little unlucky not to have more scored their second.



Half Time- Wibsey 4-1 Howden Clough



Wibsey had a poor start, with Clough well up for
the second half, they had a period of domination in the middle of the
park, and they were rewarded when Callum Docherty was deemed to have
handled the ball in the box. However the penalty was poorly taken and
it was a routine save for Tai Pedder.



Tai was called in to pulling off a few very good
saves, as Howden Clough battled to get their way back into the game.
Wibsey had taken their foot off the gas a little and Clough were now
putting pressure on Davis and Damo, who were still well up to the
task of keeping their goal safe!



Howden Clough did get their second, this time a
shot blasted into the roof of the net, but this just gave Wibsey more
determination to step up their game.




Mikey and Nathan brightened up again and Wibsey
got back in control. Clough almost got back into the game, but their
striker hit the post which rebounded and hit the other post and new
skipper Damo Hields was quick to get the ball to safety.



Wibsey did have a lot of chances to increase their
lead. Again, Connor had a few more chances, and Mikey put a freekick
wide.




With 11 minutes to go, Clough hopes of getting
back into the game were dashed. A fantastic counter attack gave
Wibsey yet another goal. Davis Peel sprung on the ball from a corner
and cleared long to Connor Rhodes, the Clough defender missed it and
Connor leapt on the opportunity, 1v1, and he fired it home. Wibsey
now led 5-2.



Shortly after, Mikey was dispossessed and Howden
hit Wibsey on the counter attack, their midfielder slotted through to
a striker, there were big shouts for offside from the Wibsey defence,
but the striker scored, and no offside was given. 5-3.



Late on in the game, Wibsey had the last word.
Jake Gilderdale confidently burst down the right flank, and played an
excellent ball out wide to Bradley Hawes, Brad took it deep and
crossed it into Connor Rhodes. Connor controlled turned and fired it
into the net. A cracking piece of play from Bradley Hawes who had had
a very good game on the right wing today.



Full Time- Wibsey 6-3 Howden Clough.


Goalscorers



Josh Thompson (13, 19), Connor Rhodes (13, 59,
65), Nathan Khan (17).


Man of the Match


Tai Pedder: Tai had a very strong game in
goals today. He pulled off some good saves, including a penalty, and
he was a safe pair of hands. He did well to go in, at the last
minute, and showed how much of a team player he was today! A really
good effort, he made it look easy!



Manager comments



I was surprised by how good we looked today, I thought against a strong team we would find it harder, butw e
have made an excellent team look not very good today! We were all
fantastic, and I am dead proud of how well we did!! We looked fit and
worked very hard throughout the game, and we dominated in midfield
which is what I was looking for today, also defensively we were very
strong. Considering we only have 11 men, we looked the fitter team,
and we wanted it a lot more today! Cracking boys… keep it up!!!