Culcheth 2-4 Garswood U16
A fine opening day performance from both teams provided excellent entertainment for supporters at Croft Village playing fields on Sunday morning.
A strong start by a motivated and confident Garswood team gave them the platform for a win in their first league game of the season. Operating a 4-5-1 formation, Garswood posed many problems for Culcheth particularly in the second half, breaking down the flanks to open up the defence time and time again.
After a “settling” in spell of ten minutes or so, Garswood carved an opening straight through the centre of the Culcheth defence, Kyran Mitchell’s final ball sending Adam Dickinson clear to dispatch a delicate lob over the keeper from the edge of the box.
This seemed to lift the team, and chance after chance was created in the next twenty minutes or so, the pick of them, a strike on the turn from Dickinson which rattled the inside of the post. No second goal though and that was punished by a determined Culcheth team who hung in and battled really well to stay in the match.
A controversial 30th minute penalty was converted by Culcheth to level the scores and dent the early confidence that had been built up. A blatant push in the back on Andy Cahill just moments later in the Culcheth box not deemed to be deserving of similar punishment.
Garswood’s lead was restored just before the break, as a screamer from Cahill smacked the top of the crossbar and dropped to a grateful Kyran Mitchell to side-foot home from all of one yard out.
Injuries to the 2 Garswood fullbacks Smith and Gribbon, prompted a re-shuffle in the early part of the second half, and Culcheth gained a degree of momentum and pressure as Garswood surrendered possession too easily. This spell of pressure resulting in a good goal carved out from a corner kick as an unmarked Culcheth midfielder headed home from 6 yards out. A 2-2 scoreline then, and all to play for in the last 25 minutes.
Garswood responded enthusiastically to the equaliser and the introduction of subs Luke Baker and Stefan Apter proved good go forward, putting extra pressure on the midfield and defence of their opponents. Garswood striking woodwork a further 3 times before finding the key to unlock the defence again. A brilliant one handed save denying Adam Dickinson should be mentioned at this point – the Culcheth keeper producing a great display all through the match.
A top quality passing move opened up the defence and Raj Vij calmly slotted the ball under the advancing keeper to restore the lead for the third time on 65 minutes. A well-deserved goal this from a player starting to fulfill his early potential at the club, and reward for an excellent performance on the day.
On 70 minutes, another fine move involving 4 or five players freed Adam Dickinson to strike a beauty up into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
Garswood closed out the game comfortably and ran out worthy 4-2 winners. Man of the match awards were presented to Adam Dickinson and Andrew Cahill for outstanding contributions, but there were no poor performances at all from any member of the squad.
It was good to catch up with old friends Phil Miller and Danny Roberts – many thanks to Culcheth for their hospitality, and good luck to them for the rest of their season.
Overall a great game played in a great spirit.
Yours in sport
Gary Walsh
Coach – U16 Division 2
