Cowley Boys 3-2 Ryan U12 Red

Ryan returned to League action for the first time since early November, and missing a number of boys only had 10 available for the encounter. On a quagmire of a pitch this was going to be a tough challenge against a very tall powerful Cowley team.

Both teams struggled to pass the ball and it was always going to be a real effort to get the ball forward, but Cowley adapted well and a surprise long range shot caught Daniel unawares to put the hosts ahead. Ryan then took the upper hand and both Lamin and Josiah both beat the offside trap on about 4 occassions to go through on goal, but on each occassion just as they went for the shot it got stuck in the mud and the chances were gone. Ryan kept on pinning the hosts back and were putting everything into an equaliser, but unfortunately everytime an opportunity came to shot on goal, by the time it had hit the ground the pace was off the ball, or tey could not lift the ball to get it out of the mud. Just as everyone thought Ryan would score to level, Ryan were looking to clear the lines from just outside the box, when the boys stopped hearing a whistle only to find it was from a different pitch and Cowley scored from just outside the box again to go in 2-0 at half time.

Ryan continued to dominate the chances and unfortunately the pitch was getting heavier and Ryan could not get the ball out of their feet enough to get a good strike on goal, and when it got to the keeper did not have enough pace to cause any trouble. With 5 minutes remaining George pulled one back with a well struck shot, but unfortunately almost straight after with Ryan pushing for the equaliser the hosts broke to make it 3-1. Ryan never stopped and George scored a second and Ryan even in the last couple of minutes still had a further three efforts that lacked pace.

Unfortunatley a first loss in the league, but against a very strong and physical side who were able to rotate players the 10 boys could not have done anymore and during the game had in excess of 20 attempts on goal, but with the penalty areas just mud and puddles could not get the power into their shots.