Bill Martin’sMatch of the Week Under-10 STANWIX 6ABBEYTOWN 2

Last updated at 15:04, Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Stanwix 6 Abbeytown 2: The Stanwix players gave a smart performance in their new shirts which were provided by sponsor Richard Slater of RS Solutions.

Stanwix under10’s Jay Langhorne finds a way through Abbeytown under 10’s Robbie Stewart, left and Jake Littlewood

The team did particularly well in the first half when they outplayed their Abbeytown opponents to take a three-nil win. Stanwix continued to play well in the second half but it was much more of a contest as Abbeytown fought back to score two goals themselves.

The Stanwix players passed and moved from the word go and Matthew Muldoon had an early shot blocked by Scott Watson.

Jay Langhorne again found Muldoon, who beat two men, before crossing the ball into the danger area where it was cleared by Robbie Stewart.

Chris Hubberstey shot just wide and then sent over a corner which fell at Langhorne’s feet but Watson made a good block tackle to prevent the shot.

Abbeytown threatened when Declan Walker chased onto a long Dan Wannop clearance but Aaron Stewart got in a great tackle as the forward was about to shoot.

Abbeytown then had a free kick, following a foul on Jake Littlewood but Simon Howlette’s shot was safely gathered by John Wightman in the home goal.

Wightman was again called into action to save from Littlewood who ran onto a delightful pass from Howlett before unleashing a shot.

Stanwix regained the initiative and a Hubberstey corner was headed clear by Watson but Stanwix broke the deadlock after nine minutes when Langhorne linked with Josh Rae whose low cross provided the opportunity for Muldoon to net from close range.

There was no let up from Stanwix and Wannop saved from Langhorne after Kieron Reynolds supplied the pass. Hubberstey then shot from the edge of the area but the ball struck Reynolds and diverted wide of goal.

Stanwix went on to score twice in quick succession with Muldoon grabbing his second before Langhorne scored following a Reynolds corner. Wannop prevented a fourth goal when he kept out a Lewis Pearce effort with his leg.

Abbeytown’s Eddie Mullins linked up with Howlett but Wightman made a comfortable save in the end buthe half ended with Wannop making a good save to keep out a shot from the lively Pearce.

Abbeytown began the second half on the attack with Mullins combining with Howlett to set up Jos McManus but Aaron Stewart was quick to get in a tackle and the ball diverted for a corner.

The second half was only four minutes old when Stanwix stretched their lead to four clear goals.

Rae began the move by driving forward with the ball at his feet before splitting the Abbeytown defence with a pass that enabled Muldoon to race onto the ball and score with an unstoppable right foot shot. Rae again found Muldoon but the striker was brought down by Watson and Stanwix were awarded a free-kick.

Langhorne was unlucky not to score, from the free-kick, when his terrific strike struck the top of the crossbar.

In a quick Abbeytown attack Mullins forced a save from Wightman but the respite was brief and at the other end Wannop again stretched out a leg to save this time from Conner Slater.

Reynolds then added a fifth with a brilliant long range effort that gave Wannop little chance of saving.

Abbeytown fought back bravely with Mullins scoring a great goal following a brilliant run and shot after first intercepting the ball deep in his own half.

The visitors were heartened by the goal and they scored a second two minutes later when Kristian Lightfoot crossed from the left after receiving the ball from Littlewood. Lightfoot’s pass was inch perfect for Mullins to drive his shot into the net.

Mullins was determined to bag his hat-trick and it took a fine diving save from Wightman to turn the ball round the post to keep out a goal bound shot following a determined run.

Stanwix again took control and Reynolds had a shot headed for a corner by Watson but it was just a matter of time before Stanwix scored their sixth and it came from Reynolds when he drove home the loose ball after Pearce had unleashed a stinging shot which Wannop managed to save but could not hold on to.

Abbeytown gained a free-kick on their right but Howlett’s cross was headed clear by Hubberstey who in the closing stages burst down the right before passing to Slater whose shot was turned over by Wannop’s outstretched hand.

MATCH FACTS

Stanwix: John Wightman, Connor Slater, Jacob Proudfoot, Aaron Stewart, Josh Rae, Kieran Reynolds, Chris Hubberstey, Jay Langhorne, Lewis Pearce and Matthew Muldoon

Abbeytown: Dan Wannop, Robbie Stewart, Scott Watson, Eddie Mullins, Jake Littlewood, Joe Gilroy, Kristian Lightfoot, Simon Howlett, Jos McManus and Declan Walker

Referee: Craig Rae

Man of the Match: Josh Rae, mid-field, Stanwix: Josh played as a defender for part of the game but he was most effective in mid-field where his astute passing coupled with his determination made him a force to be reckoned with.

First published at 11:33, Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk