Season 2007 / 08 Reports

Sunday, 13 April 2008
NORTON LEES JFC 3 2 Millhouses


As we went into our final game of the season we knew we were already relegated but we also knew that victory against probably our fiercest rivals would see them relegated and move us up a place in the final standings. What an incentive ! and we had no trouble getting them up for the game, it was their most important match of the season (including Blades v Owls games !) and what a terrific start they made. Just 2 minutes into the game we took the lead, after early pressure the ball broke in the area and Adam Samwell fired home, 1 - 0 and still we pressed forward creating chances, controlling the midfield and comfortably containing Millhouses in defence. Midway through the first half we scored our 2nd goal. Again after lots of pressure the ball came out to Ben Otter who finished with ease. Another good spell of pressure saw us create numerous chances and it seemed only a matter of time before we killed the game off. Then out of the blue Millhouses pulled one back, there didn't seem to be any danger and we may have been in the comfort zone a little, but this certainly reminded us that we were in a game.
HALF TIME
Norton Lees 2 Millhouses 1
The second half was a more evenly contested game as Millhouses sniffed a chance of a result and a few gaps appeared in both defences as more chances were being created. We were still the better side and were creating the better openings but the killer 3rd goal didn't look like it was coming. With 10 minutes to play finally it did arrive, again after a scramble in the box the ball broke to Josh Philips who gleefully smashed the ball into the back of the net. With full confidence restored we began to play with control and should really have won by a bigger margin. With the last kick of the game Millhouses got a consolation, which spoilt it a little, but a win was most welcome and the lads thoroughly deserved and enjoyed their victory.

Managers man of the match - Josh Philips

Supporters man of the match - Jack Stevenson

See you all next season!
Cheers Andy And Mal

0 Coach Feedback Article(s)




Wednesday, 12 March 2008
9th March 2008

NORTON LEES JFC 3 v 3 NETHER GREEN

A thrilling encounter saw Norton Lees and Nether Green share six goals. Both sides started brightly, with midfield heavily involved showing great endeavour and commitment, interlining with both defence and attack. Nether Green took the lead on 10 minutes through excellent one touch passing which left defenders and keeper with no chance. Norton Lees bounced back well and could have drawn level soon after, but we were snuffed out. From the clearance Nether Green broke away and got a second goal. The lads seemed to be up for a battle and never let their heads go down. They were rewarded when on 20 minutes Michael Gibbons raced clear and lobbed the keeper to make it 1-2. Just 2 minutes later Nether Green broke into the area and were awarded a penalty. Fortunately for us they put it wide and this seemed to give the lads a boost. The remainder of the half was evenly matched, and we managed to draw level through Adam Sandwell who hit a terrific shot from the corner of the area and into the top corner.

HALF TIME
NORTON LEES 2 NETHER GREEN 2

The second half began and was as keenly contested as the first. The defence were working extremely hard and kept Nether Green at bay. Jack Stevenson (goal keeper) made 2 world class saves which had everyone (including the referee!) stand and applaud. Midway through the second half Nether Green took the lead again, this time Jack couldn't get anywhere near it. The lads refused to accept defeat and battled on valiantly. They were rewarded in the final minutes. A free kick was awarded 30 yards out, and as it was taken 4 attackers broke clear into the box and Josh Phillips managed to poke the ball home to give us a well deserved draw.

FULL TIME
NORTON LEES 3 NETHER GREEN 3.

MANAGERS MAN OF THE MATCH - ADAM SANDWELL
SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH - JACK STEVENSON

Finally a special mention for Tan who took charge for the first time (as I had to referee). He did a brilliant job and kept the lads going with excellent support. Thanks Tan.

Cheers Andy

0 Coach Feedback Article(s)




Monday, 11 February 2008
Woodhouse Juniors 4 v 0 NORTON LEES JUNIORS

The boys arrived at the game full of beans and well up for it on a pitch that looked like it would allow us to play our football.This proved to be the case as we put Woodhouse under constant pressure for the first 15 minutes. We could have been 3 up after just 5 minutes,Jake Cowlishaw had 2 efforts shave the woodwork,and both forwards also went close.Just as we looked destined to take a deserved lead, Woodhouse cleared to the halfway line where a forward took a swing and caught it beautifully to loop over the keeper and into the net.
Just 5 minutes later and again against the run of play, Woodhouse got a second goal a carbon copy of the first, but all credit to the lads they got stuck in and could have pulled a goal back just before the break. The ball broke in the area and Michael Gibbons saw his shot partially blocked and stop on the line before being cleared.
HALF TIME 2.0
Again a good start to the second half saw us put pressure on Woodhouse. Good passing saw us create a couple of half chances, and when Ben Otter went clear he seemed destined to score before the defender brought him down, the keeper made a good save from the resultant free kick. Woodhouse weathered the storm, and 15 minutes into the second half got 2 quick goals which effectively ended any chance of us getting anything from the game.
FULL TIME 4.0
Supporters Man Of The Match Callum Sugden
Managers Man Of The Match Alex Waby

0 Coach Feedback Article(s)




Monday, 4 February 2008
NORTON LEES JUNIORS 2 2 CHARNOCK & RIDGEWAY

A lively encounter between two teams locked midway in the table produced 4 goals and numerous chances. Norton Lees began the brighter and had several chances to take the lead before a breakaway by Charnock saw them take the lead with their only chance of the half. A spirited come back by us saw us draw level after 20 minutes. Good build up play and slick passing saw the ball fall to Michael Gibbons who finished clinically. Although we continued to apply pressure , the second goal would not come.

HALF TIME 1.1.

The start of the second half saw us carry on from where we left off in the first half, putting Charnock under pressure which paid off just 2 minutes into the half when through excellent team play Michael Gibbons pounced again to put us 2.1 up. Charnock then began to assert pressure and forced Goalkeeper Jack Stevenson into action, coming off his line to collect and pulling off a couple of outstanding saves. Midway through the second half Charnock equalised.The ball was played down the left and crossed into space for their forward to convert. Although we had a few chances late on ,we couldn't quite manage a winner, although a late effort was ruled out for offside.

FULL TIME 2.2
Supporters man of the match Jack Stevenson.
Managers man of the match Nathan Symonds.

0 Coach Feedback Article(s)




Wednesday, 30 January 2008
27th January 2008

Owls Trust All Stars 2 - 1 NORTON LEES JUNIORS

All credit to the lads for their hard work and commitment. We only had 11 players available, 2 of these being unwell and not fit for football. A few chances for us early on could have seen us take a deserved lead, but the ball just wouldn't roll for us. Midway through the first half Owls trust allstars took the lead. After a huge scramble in the box, the ball came to the edge of the area where their player drove through the crowded area and into the net. After the restart the lads responded well and despite playing the last 10 minutes of the first half with 10 men due to illness, I thought we were unfortunate not to draw level.
Half time OTA 1 - NLJ 0
Early in the second half OTA got a second and decisive goal from the penalty spot. Just three minutes later we managed to get back into the game with an excellent piece of play down the left by Ben Otter, before crossing for Michael Gibbons to finish clinically. Despite our efforts to draw level we just couldn't manage it, but we go into the next game with enthusiasm and hope to get a positive result.
Full time OTA 2 - NLJ 1
Supporters man of the match - Michael Gibbons.
Managers man of the match - Nathan Symonds.

0 Coach Feedback Article(s)




Monday, 14 January 2008
13th January 2008

Langold Juniors 2 1 NORTON LEES JUNIORS

MATCH REPORT:

Quite possibly the best performance of the season saw us narrowly beaten at high flying Langold. Despite going 1 - 0 down the lads showed great character to respond and level with a penalty won by Michael Gibbons and converted by Ben Otter. Langold then reclaimed the lead and hung on for victory. Supporters man of the match was won by Alex Waby And managers man of the match could quite easily have been all 14 players and was won by Liam Hunt.

TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE, well done lads.

cheers, Andy.