Cheadle SMU U17

Cheadle SMU FC

2 days ago

SMU made the trip across to Birchenwood this morning to play Portly Robin on the smallest pitch we have played on since the lads were playing 9 a side football.

Without a number of first team players this morning due to injuries and suspensions, it was another great opportunity for a couple of the younger lads from the U17’s to also get some minutes.

The game started well with both sides knocking the ball around, however Cheadle looked a little nervous and were rushing the final pass. Things got worse when straight from a kick from the goalkeeper, Portlys number 9 was left un-marked in the box and with the Cheadle keeper off his line he sent a looping header into the net. 1-0 to Portly after 9 minutes.

This seemed to wake Cheadle up a little, and for the next 20 minutes it was like a training ground game of attack v defence, Cheadle wasting countless chances that should have been taken. Then on 31 minutes, another long ball by Portly found there right winger who skipped past the Cheadle defender finding his striker for Portly to go 2-0.

2 minutes later another long ball found the Portly striker again and with some good footwork he skipped past the Cheadle defence hitting the post and drawing a fine save off the rebound from Cheadles keeper Elliot Rogerson.

Cheadle continued to press but were wasteful with there chances until on 39 minutes, good play between Tom Bunn and Kallan Humphries Shutt saw Tom Bunn pick up the ball 25 yards out and curl a screamer into the top right corner, finally a little composure from Cheadle. 2-1 39 minutes.

The rest of the first half saw Cheadle continue to dominate with the ball but continue to be wasteful with their final pass or shots. Half Time Portly 2 v 1 Cheadle SMU.

The second half saw a burst of energy from the Portly players and for the first 5 minutes or so they passed the ball around well, Cheadle then took over and Portly were rooted deep in their own half rarely coming forward other than long balls or kicks from their keeper.

On 67 minutes Cheadle were awarded a foul some 25 yards from goal, and with a packed goal area Tom Bunn some how managed to direct the ball through the players and into the net. Tom scoring his 5th goal in 2 games this season, all from midfield.
2v2 67 minutes.

From this point on there only looked like one winner and Cheadle continued to pressure the Portly defence, forcing their defence to sit deeper and deeper. Ben Cross whose pace had made him a live wire all game finally got onto a good pass from Seb Smith (Sponsored by Adam Roberts and AR Plastering and Damp Solutions) that split the Portly defence, taking the ball over the keeper and finding the back of the net. First goal of the season for Cheadles top scorer of last season. Portly 2 v 3 Cheadle SMU 73 minutes.

Cheadles pressure continued to tell and on 77 minutes after some great play from young Henry Hodge, Josh Sale got onto the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, turning and firing past the Portly keeper for his first goal of the season. Portly 2 v 4 Cheadle.

Cheadle continued to dominate and a tiring Portly after a great first half looked well beaten.

Cheadle nearly added a fifth after great play from Henry Hodge and Alfie Pyatt saw a ball out wide to Josh Sale who from a tight angle rattled the post, with the ball rolling across the line and out for a goal kick.

Full time Portly Robin 2 v 4 Cheadle SMU. Good luck to Portly for the rest of the season and onto White Hart Smallthorne at home for Cheadle in the league next week. ...