Winshill Green Under 9 Match Report

After having a rest last weekend following on from the opening day 6-2 defeat Winshill Green were back in action today facing Stretton Eagles Black in a 9am kick off.


Beddows and Watson were keen to get their first win under their belts and with an amazing plethora of talent under their tutelage  it was surely only a matter of time before that inevitable would happen.

Watson putting the team through their pre-match warm up

With Natan unable to play due to illness, the starting team was Jakub (gk) Ben (making his debut) and Zuzza (captain today) in defence - Dejaun playing in centre midfield with Lucas and Persephone on the wings and Maciej in attack and Archie on the bench.

Winshill starting extremely brightly, Lucas bombing down the left wing, Persephone putting in a beautiful cross early on. Winshill then won a dubious free kick for pulling by Stretton - Persephone struck it but it went wide.

Stretton then arguably against the run of play took the lead, but Winshill struck back after a clearance by Stretton fell to Persephone just outside the penalty area who struck it first time and in went over the keeper's head 1-1!

The rest of the first half was largely dominated by Winshill. Maciej moved back to CM and came close, Archie should have perhaps scored Persephone put him through one on one with the keeper but he put it just wide.

In defence Zuzza and Ben were very effective making crucial interceptions as the half wore on and Jakub made an important stop late in the half to keep it at 1-1.

At half-time Beddows and Watson were full of praise for the kids - what an excellent effort from all of them. Lucas went in goal 2nd half with Jakub moving out to the wing.

Within 1 minute of the second half Stretton got through and made it 2-1! Could Winshill come back again?

The answer was yes, Dejaun intercepting in midfield and feeding the ball to Persephone who drove past the defender and only had the keeper to beat and she did! 2-2. Could she get a hat-trick something which has alluded her in her entire 3 season Winshill career?

Could Winshill win? Stretton were then massively unlucky as they hit the crossbar... then Persephone hit the post, Jakub came close, Maiciej tested their keeper who made a good save - but then... GOAL! Maciej picked up a loose ball from a Stretton player and drove at the Stretton goal and blasted it past the keeper! 3-2!

The last 5 minutes were tight with Stretton pressing for an equaliser but they couldn't break through the Zuzza and Dejaun brick wall - however Lucas in goals did have to make 2 brilliant stops late in the game to give Winshill the 3 points!

First 3 points for Winshill! :)

Player of the Match: Persephone - 2 great goals, great use of the ball when she had either driving down the wing or picking out a pass and was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

Moment of the Match: Maciej - great individual goal for the winner - 1st of the season and 1st of many I imagine.

Player Ratings:

Jakub (9), Zuzza (9), Ben (9), Dejaun (9), Persephone (10), Lucas (9) Maciej (10), Archie (9)