U12's Panthers

15th November 2008
West Hill 7 v 1 Pinhoe Panthers
Goal Scorers: Andy Roberts

Six pointers at this stage of the season are always a little over exagerated. However every one associated with Panthers knew that this was a game we badly needed to win, if for no other reason that it would generate a little confidence. Something Panthers have in very little supply at the moment.
West Hill occupy the same area of the league that we do......i.e the bottom and in our own little mini league it was an opportunity to go clear from our rivals.
The first twenty minutes would be crucial as always, a steady start with no daft mistakes to provide a basis for easing into the game and no opportunity for West Hill to gain their own momentum and confidence.
So it was we were 2- 0 down in the first eight minutes! and not long after 3 0 down. To be fair the pitch did not help, but it is the same for both sides and West Hill were far the better side in the first quarter of the game. To their credit, Panthers did start to play better football after about twenty minutes or so and Andy brought a glimmer of hope with a well taken goal, a reward for his outstanding work rate.
Several times this season, after a poor start Panthers have nicked a goal back to make it 3 - 1. We don't however seem to be able press forward without conceding at the back and West Hill continued to cause problems. For a long while it remained at 4 - 1 but in the last fifteen minutes three additional goals were netted and another heavy defeat was recorded.
Many of the boys had periods in the game when they played well and its difficult to put your finger on why it goes wrong. All of the substitutes were used to good effect and contributed to a watchable game. It certainly wasn't the hammering that the scoreline suggests.

Blue Moon Rising.........eventually!

Man of the Match: Kieran.
This weeks award was easy, as not for a long time has an individual player stood so far above everyone else in the level of their performance. For the whole match Kieran worked, hassled, tracked back and intercepted player and through ball alike. Rarely out of position his determination gets him back in if he is caught out and brave as always in the tackle. It was a totally dominating showing and well deserved.

8th November 2008
Sidbury 8 v 3 Pinhoe Panthers
Goals: Harry Elliott 2, Kieran Willdigg

This week we all hoped the cup might bring us some welcome respite from the league but the same bad habits returned to haunt our fragile defense we found our selves down 3-0 early into the game and it was only then we started to play Kieran Willdigg scored his first goal of the season with a fine first time shot we were playing some good attacking football and a likely come back looked on the cards but alas it was not to be Keiran was every where at the back. Special mention to Jamie, Aaron and Snowy for some great moves done the left hand side. Harry weighed in with 2 more goals and to be fair I think on another day we could have scored more. A frustrating day for me and the parents we play So well at times but we keep self destructing and concede silly goals. Once again Sidbury made us very welcome and it was good to see the boys enjoying them selves afterwards, the result forgotten.

More sausage and chips please

Keep smiling and onto next week

Player of match: Kieran Willdigg

25th October 2008
Pinhoe Panthers 2 v 8 Culm Utd
Goals: Harry Elliott, Andy Roberts

Another bright start was the prelude to another ultimately disappointing performance here today. Right from the off, Panthers were up beat and passed the ball around with conviction and pressed forward leading the watching parents to believe that today may well be the day. After ten minutes however, a back pass led to a free kick, from which Culm scored against the run of play and in truth, completely changed the face of the game. With alarming ease, Culm were three up and Panthers were chasing the game from thereon in. Harry Elliott again provided some cause for hope when he scored to make it 1 - 3, but crucially Culm scored the all important next goal and the game went away from us. Panthers did make it 2 - 5 with Andy scoring, but three late goals when heads went down flattered Culm, but it cannot be denied that they thoroughly deserved to win this game. Everyone around the team appreciates that this year is a big step up in quality for the boys, some of whom are not up for the physical challenge. It will be hard, but with Snowy's limitless enthusiasm and our support, hopefully we can take heart from this tough start and look to make some progress in the weeks ahead.

Come on you Pins.

Player of the match: A bit tricky this one as two players made an impact with me. Jamie has improved greatly since he stepped out of goal and today was assured and dependable. He has been one of the leading lights this season and provides calm solidity to our defence. My man of the match for today though has to go to Andy for his totally committed attitude, his lung busting work rate and his well taken goal. He represented everything that i think the rest of the team should espire to. They could take a leaf out of his book and if everyone worked as hard as Andy, the team as a whole would progress. - ANDY ROBERTS

11th October 2008
Pinhoe Panthers 2 v 7 St Martins
Goals: Harry Elliott, Ollie Snow

Another saturday came around, and a chance to redeem ourselves for the past couple of weeks against a beatable St Martins line up. However, as the game drew to a close, those watching had seen a good performance for 75% of the hour go to waste as late goals again made the scoreline appear that a hammering had been dished out. A distinct lack of confidence is evident among the whole team, and from the start Panthers didn't seem to want the ball, or once in possession couldn't get rid of it quick enough. This shaky opening allowed St Martins to push forward and dominate early ball, and create a number of chances, eventually finding the net with one effort. All of those watching, knew that the next goal in the game would be crucial. If it went to St Martins then the chances were that a dispondent Panthers would be well beaten. As it turned out, Mr Dependable in the shape of Harry Elliott equalised and in an instant the game changed and Panthers came into their own and played some bright football, ending the half definately on top. All appeared well after the break as Panthers continued to push forward, winning a free kick just outside the area.

An excellent dead ball strike from Ollie Snow saw Panthers take a deserved lead and there was a real possibility that ten minutes into the second half, Panthers could go on and win the game. As it turned out, just when we needed to keep our nerve, we lost it and decided to sit back and defend way to deeply. St Martins equalised about five minutes later and from that point, the fragile confidence was shattered and with almost every subsequent attack, St Martins came close or scored, running in five goals in the final third of the game.

The highlight of this match was the performance of club captain Christian. It is well known by Lee and all those watching that on his day Christian is the original sulk! once that head has gone down and the bottom lip protruded, there is usually no going back. Today was completely different however, right from the off he battled, talked, took charge and tackled, marshalling the defense and repelling St Martins almost single handed at times. Even toward the end his head did not go down and he played with the same attitude right the way through. If he could maintain this form, it may go some way toward leading the team out of the current doldrums and onto the victory they deserve.

Bluemoon Rising.
Player of Match: CHRISTIAN SALTER

4th October 2008
Crediton 10 v 2 Pinhoe Panthers
Goals: Harry Elliott 2

o look at the scoreline at the end of this game, the reader could be forgiven in their belief that for the secong game running, Pinhoe capitulated to a rout. Absolutely NOT. The difference in attitude from last weeks game with Heavitree was palpable, and in terms of attacking play, this was the best performance of the season so far from Panthers. The game started with Panthers making the running, and for five or so minutes were a worthy match for their hosts. Defensive frailty emerged again though and Crediton took the lead and quickly built on it through their very fleet footed striker. Panthers did not let their heads drop however and Harry provided a hope when he scored after a penetrating run into the box. However, Panthers never got closer than two goals adrift and time and again challenges in critical areas were half hearted and bypassed by a determined and stronger Crediton side.

Even at half time there was still a chance that we could get back into the game. Joe and Cory came on, and Christian replaced Adam in goal after he suffered an injury. The game ran away from Panthers though with both poor defending and no deal of luck ensuring that Crediton ran out deserved winners, in spite of Harry scoring his second goal. The final scoreline does not in truth reflect the game. It was much closer than it suggests and if Panthers can beef up a bit in their challenges and erradicate the propensity to give the ball away in dangerous areas, results will improve. The first three games have shown that the standard of football played in this division is far superior to that played last season. It may well be a hard winter ahead, but continue with the positive attitude shown in parts on saturday and performances will improve.

Bluemoon Rising.

Player of Match: HARRY ELLIOTT

27th September 2008
Pinhoe Panthers 0 v 8 Heavitree Harriers

38 years i have been a Man City fan, and i cannot remember how many times i have looked forward to a particular game and then been so let down as to question why it is i bother.

1993, 2 - 0 up at half time against united on the day my first born came into the world, THE PERFECT DAY!.......we lost 2 - 3. Bloody typical.

So it was that i was looking forward to an improved team performance from the largely lacklustre display against Sidbury two weeks ago. I can sum this performance up in one word, ABJECT.

From start to finish we lacked desire and drive. Not one individual went the extra mile for the team, and we got everything we deserved. I was not troubled with having to record who scored or who's performance warranted a mention.

Football is one of those brilliant games that allows matches like this to be forgotten very quickly, with a reaction due next week, both in training and in the match next saturday. Have the courage to play, we are a lot better than this scoreline suggests.

Bluemoon Rising.
Player of Match: NO ONE

13th September 2008
Sidbury 4 v 2 Pinhoe Panthers
Goals: Harry Elliott 2

Another seasons eager anticipation dawned sunny and warm, a distinct deviation from the norm in this so called summer. Its the first time we have been to Sidbury and you have to say that it is a very good set up. The enormous pitch was immaculately presented, and as it proved, a little daunting to the Panthers.
On the back of an excellent 2007/8 season, i think we need to be a little realistic about what is achievable this season, and never has the word consolidation been more appropriate. Every week will require a dedicated and organised performance from Panthers in order to preserve their status.
This score line will suggest that it was a closer game than in all honesty it really was. Panthers started slowly and although good short passing was in evidence, penetration did not follow and we struggled to effectively move the ball into the front two and push forward.
Sidbury scored two early goals, the second particularly well taken, and it was an uphill struggle from then on. It was hot, the pitch was huge and Panthers looked short on confidence and form. It did improve as the game went on, and Jamie and Oliie Snow both worked well down our left flank. It took a good while before Panthers realised that we could make headway against a well organised Sidbury side, but attacks were sporadic and our key players struggled to get into the game.
The score remained 2-0 at half time and the second half recommenced in the same fashion as the first with Sidbury doing all of the pressing and scoring two further goals. Cory had come on for Linden in an attempt to liven things up and worked hard and pressed the ball. For all of Panthers efforts though, it looked like the last twenty minutes would be a bit of a hammering with Panthers looking increasingly tired. Then as if something switched on in the minds of the players, we began to be first to the ball and passed it quicker and more directly through the middle. Harry saw more of the ball and received two outstanding through balls to score twice in quick succession and put the result in doubt for a while. Sidbury rallied however and saw the match out to claim the deserved victory.
The after match food, beer and Sky TV was a welcome change from the norm, if only more saturday mornings ended this way.
A week off next week will do the lads good, and hopefully give us an opportunity to regroup for the following week.

Man of the match: Adam in goal, which says it all really. If not for him then the margin of defeat would have been greater. One particularly good save in the first half wouldn't have looked out of place on soccer am.

To good: Sidbury clubhouse....looking forward to the cup game away already.
To bad : Ollie May's apparent deafness.

I have written this report having watched Liverpool beat Marseille away in the Champions League. I am really looking forward to watching the truly best team in the country knocking them off their perch in the next couple of years....and Chelski....and Salford Utd....and the Gooners...

Bluemoon....definately rising!
Player of Match: ADAM DAVISON

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