SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 8 JANUARY 2012
Shelf Panthers 1 Netherton 8
Despite conceding three goals in the first 11 minutes, the Panthers could take some positives from this match.
Man of the Match Tom Brett put in a barnstorming display in defence, saving his team time and time again with fearless tackles and last-ditch clearances.
And Adam Renard’s 39th minute goal was a cracker, as he dribbled half the length of the pitch and somehow evaded the attentions of six opponents before squeezing the ball past the keeper from close range.
And for once it didn’t rain…
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Hypothermia strikes
Shelf Panthers match report: Sunday 4 December 2011
Match report cancelled due to hypothermia.
Match report cancelled due to hypothermia.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Blowin' in the wind
SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 27 NOVEMBER 2011
Shelf Panthers 1 Uppermill 8
As an experiment in social media – and to help supporters who already devote a large chunk of their weekends to junior football - today’s match report is designed to tell the full, unbiased story of the game in a Twitter-style message:
“Force 9 gale. Only 10 men. Man of Match Ryan scores after 3 mins, finishing off nice move with fine strike high into net from edge of pen area…”
(Sadly, because of Twitter’s limit of 140 characters, there was no room to include any more details).
Shelf Panthers 1 Uppermill 8
As an experiment in social media – and to help supporters who already devote a large chunk of their weekends to junior football - today’s match report is designed to tell the full, unbiased story of the game in a Twitter-style message:
“Force 9 gale. Only 10 men. Man of Match Ryan scores after 3 mins, finishing off nice move with fine strike high into net from edge of pen area…”
(Sadly, because of Twitter’s limit of 140 characters, there was no room to include any more details).
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Mann of the match
SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 6 NOVEMBER 2011
Shelf Panthers 3 Greetland 5
A Man of the Match display of fine creative midfield play by Tom Mann – rounded off by a spectacular goal – should have been enough to earn the Panthers at least a point.
But, not for the first time this season, they carved out twice as many chances as the opposition – but ended up scoring fewer goals.
Nevertheless, there was much to admire in a Shelf performance that for much of the match was as bright as the unseasonably balmy November weather.
The Panthers should have gone ahead after 11 minutes when a corner from Adam Renard found Adam McDaid in the box. But both his header and Jonny’s shot were blocked, and when the ball rebounded to Robert, his shot sailed just over the bar.
Shelf continued to dominate possession, and a neat passing move after 19 minutes ended with Ryan getting on the end of Sam’s cross with a header which the keeper did well to scramble clear.
But the visitors began to come back into the match – and they took the chances that came their way, scoring three goals between the 28th and 36th minutes.
Despite playing up the slope in the second half, Shelf continued to enjoy the lion’s share of both possession and chances, with Ryan, Reese, Adam Renard, Jonny and Robert all going close in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
But once again, it was Greetland who found the net, to make it 4-0 in the 57th minute.
That should have killed the game off, but the Panthers showed admirable spirit to come storming back in search of a draw.
Straight from the kick-off, Tom Mann ghosted past a couple of tackles and hit a sweetly-struck shot high into the net from 25 yards for his first goal of the season.
Four minutes later, Adam Renard turned and floated a perfect lob over the keeper from a similar distance to make it 4-2. Then Adam Renard’s corner ricocheted off the keeper and just crossed the line.
With just the deficit cut to just one goal, ten minutes left on the clock and the momentum with the home side, a draw or even an unlikely victory looked distinctly possible.
But the keeper dived bravely to thwart Robert as he outsprinted the defence, and when the ball broke free there wasn’t a Shelf boot there to tuck it into the empty net.
And, as the Panthers threw caution to the wind in the final minute, Greetland sealed the match through a breakaway goal.
Shelf Panthers 3 Greetland 5
A Man of the Match display of fine creative midfield play by Tom Mann – rounded off by a spectacular goal – should have been enough to earn the Panthers at least a point.
But, not for the first time this season, they carved out twice as many chances as the opposition – but ended up scoring fewer goals.
Nevertheless, there was much to admire in a Shelf performance that for much of the match was as bright as the unseasonably balmy November weather.
The Panthers should have gone ahead after 11 minutes when a corner from Adam Renard found Adam McDaid in the box. But both his header and Jonny’s shot were blocked, and when the ball rebounded to Robert, his shot sailed just over the bar.
Shelf continued to dominate possession, and a neat passing move after 19 minutes ended with Ryan getting on the end of Sam’s cross with a header which the keeper did well to scramble clear.
But the visitors began to come back into the match – and they took the chances that came their way, scoring three goals between the 28th and 36th minutes.
Despite playing up the slope in the second half, Shelf continued to enjoy the lion’s share of both possession and chances, with Ryan, Reese, Adam Renard, Jonny and Robert all going close in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
But once again, it was Greetland who found the net, to make it 4-0 in the 57th minute.
That should have killed the game off, but the Panthers showed admirable spirit to come storming back in search of a draw.
Straight from the kick-off, Tom Mann ghosted past a couple of tackles and hit a sweetly-struck shot high into the net from 25 yards for his first goal of the season.
Four minutes later, Adam Renard turned and floated a perfect lob over the keeper from a similar distance to make it 4-2. Then Adam Renard’s corner ricocheted off the keeper and just crossed the line.
With just the deficit cut to just one goal, ten minutes left on the clock and the momentum with the home side, a draw or even an unlikely victory looked distinctly possible.
But the keeper dived bravely to thwart Robert as he outsprinted the defence, and when the ball broke free there wasn’t a Shelf boot there to tuck it into the empty net.
And, as the Panthers threw caution to the wind in the final minute, Greetland sealed the match through a breakaway goal.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Panthers just can't manage to claw back deficit
SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 30 OCTOBER 2011
Rastrick 7 Shelf Panthers 3
For the fourth time in eight games this season, the Panthers took an early lead, only to end up losing the match.
Adam Renard was first on the score-sheet this time, acrobatically hooking the ball through a crowd of players after just five minutes.
Boosted by last week’s fine performance against Wooldale, and determined to avenge Rastrick’s flattering 6-3 victory in September, Shelf had the better of the opening 20 minutes and should have increased their lead.
But Robert tapped the ball wide after skipping round the keeper and almost walking it into the net. And Sam’s close-range header from Reese’s long throw also went just the wrong side of the post.
A breakaway goal after 22 minutes brought the scores level, and suddenly the match swung in Rastrick’s favour.
In the space of one frantic minute, two excellent Tom Brett saves kept the home side at bay, and Rastrick saw another effort bounce off the crossbar. So it was no surprise that Rastrick surged into a 3-1 lead with goals in the 36th and 37th minutes.
The Panthers could have pulled one back before half-time when Adam Renard ran onto Adam McDaid’s great through-ball and unleashed a powerful shot which the keeper did well to hang onto.
And two minutes after the break, they reduced the deficit to 3-2. Jonny – who gained his third Man of the Match award of the season for another full-blooded display – won a crunching tackle and played the ball down the left wing to Ryan, whose cross was skilfully knocked past the goalkeeper by Adam Renard’s stomach.
Rastrick restored their two-goal cushion within a minute through a well-placed lob. They were denied by a fine reaction save by Tom Brett, but made it 5-2 with a goal direct from a free kick after 56 minutes.
Panthers supporters were frustrated a minute later when Robert’s pace took him clear of the defence and racing one-on-one against the keeper, only for the referee to pull play back and award a free kick to Shelf for an earlier foul on him.
Ryan, Robert and Adam Renard all went close as Shelf piled on the pressure. And they finally got their reward after 72 minutes when Adam Renard’s corner fizzed through a crowd of players before being turned into the net by Robert at the far post.
It looked as if the Panthers really might turn the match around and grab a draw – but goals in the 78th and 79th minutes sealed it for Rastrick.
Rastrick 7 Shelf Panthers 3
For the fourth time in eight games this season, the Panthers took an early lead, only to end up losing the match.
Adam Renard was first on the score-sheet this time, acrobatically hooking the ball through a crowd of players after just five minutes.
Boosted by last week’s fine performance against Wooldale, and determined to avenge Rastrick’s flattering 6-3 victory in September, Shelf had the better of the opening 20 minutes and should have increased their lead.
But Robert tapped the ball wide after skipping round the keeper and almost walking it into the net. And Sam’s close-range header from Reese’s long throw also went just the wrong side of the post.
A breakaway goal after 22 minutes brought the scores level, and suddenly the match swung in Rastrick’s favour.
In the space of one frantic minute, two excellent Tom Brett saves kept the home side at bay, and Rastrick saw another effort bounce off the crossbar. So it was no surprise that Rastrick surged into a 3-1 lead with goals in the 36th and 37th minutes.
The Panthers could have pulled one back before half-time when Adam Renard ran onto Adam McDaid’s great through-ball and unleashed a powerful shot which the keeper did well to hang onto.
And two minutes after the break, they reduced the deficit to 3-2. Jonny – who gained his third Man of the Match award of the season for another full-blooded display – won a crunching tackle and played the ball down the left wing to Ryan, whose cross was skilfully knocked past the goalkeeper by Adam Renard’s stomach.
Rastrick restored their two-goal cushion within a minute through a well-placed lob. They were denied by a fine reaction save by Tom Brett, but made it 5-2 with a goal direct from a free kick after 56 minutes.
Panthers supporters were frustrated a minute later when Robert’s pace took him clear of the defence and racing one-on-one against the keeper, only for the referee to pull play back and award a free kick to Shelf for an earlier foul on him.
Ryan, Robert and Adam Renard all went close as Shelf piled on the pressure. And they finally got their reward after 72 minutes when Adam Renard’s corner fizzed through a crowd of players before being turned into the net by Robert at the far post.
It looked as if the Panthers really might turn the match around and grab a draw – but goals in the 78th and 79th minutes sealed it for Rastrick.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Second-half two-Sam almost earns draw for Panthers
SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 23 OCTOBER 2011
Shelf Panthers 4 Wooldale 5
The Panthers produced their best performance of the season so far to come storming back from a three-goal deficit and almost snatch a deserved draw.
To add to the new mood of optimism sweeping through the Shelf camp, debutant Reese unveiled a potent weapon that promises to wreak havoc in opposition defences throughout the season – a long throw to rival Rory Delap’s. And another new boy, Ben, won the Man of the Match award for a fine display in the heart of defence.
But most heartening for home supporters was the way every player gave 100 per cent for the team right until the final whistle.
The visitors took the lead, against the run of play, after six minutes. Shelf could have equalised five minutes later when Robert won a challenge on the right wing before flashing a shot just wide.
But two quick goals meant the Panthers found themselves 3-0 down after just 15 minutes. In some previous weeks, that would have opened the floodgates, but this time they refused to be rattled and continued to pass the ball around well.
They got their reward after 18 minutes, when neat interplay down the left wing between Dylan and Sam set up Adam Renard, whose cross was met with a clinical finish by Robert.
A nicely-worked goal a minute before half-time made it 4-1 to Wooldale, but, playing downhill after the break, Shelf started strongly and Adam Renard blazed a shot just wide after 46 minutes.
Two fine saves from stand-in keeper Jonny – leaping to fingertip the ball over the bar – kept the home side in the match.
Then two goals in rapid succession – in the 51st and 54th minutes – had Panthers supporters believing a first victory of the season was on the cards.
First Sam’s long-range lob dropped over the keeper and into the net. Then Adam Renard coolly controlled the ball in the area and slotted it home.
Adam could have scored again in the 56th minute, but his acrobatic volley on the turn hit the crossbar – and a minute later, Wooldale made it 5-3.
A deadly cross from Tom Mann set up Sam for his second goal of the match – this time from inside the six-yard box – and, with 21 minutes still left, Shelf seemed to have plenty of time to grab an equaliser.
They laid siege to the Wooldale goal and Tom Mann twice went close in the dying seconds, but just couldn’t find the net.
Even so, a narrow defeat felt like a victory, and the Panthers can look forward to next week’s trip to Rastrick with more optimism than they’ve enjoyed all season.
Shelf Panthers 4 Wooldale 5
The Panthers produced their best performance of the season so far to come storming back from a three-goal deficit and almost snatch a deserved draw.
To add to the new mood of optimism sweeping through the Shelf camp, debutant Reese unveiled a potent weapon that promises to wreak havoc in opposition defences throughout the season – a long throw to rival Rory Delap’s. And another new boy, Ben, won the Man of the Match award for a fine display in the heart of defence.
But most heartening for home supporters was the way every player gave 100 per cent for the team right until the final whistle.
The visitors took the lead, against the run of play, after six minutes. Shelf could have equalised five minutes later when Robert won a challenge on the right wing before flashing a shot just wide.
But two quick goals meant the Panthers found themselves 3-0 down after just 15 minutes. In some previous weeks, that would have opened the floodgates, but this time they refused to be rattled and continued to pass the ball around well.
They got their reward after 18 minutes, when neat interplay down the left wing between Dylan and Sam set up Adam Renard, whose cross was met with a clinical finish by Robert.
A nicely-worked goal a minute before half-time made it 4-1 to Wooldale, but, playing downhill after the break, Shelf started strongly and Adam Renard blazed a shot just wide after 46 minutes.
Two fine saves from stand-in keeper Jonny – leaping to fingertip the ball over the bar – kept the home side in the match.
Then two goals in rapid succession – in the 51st and 54th minutes – had Panthers supporters believing a first victory of the season was on the cards.
First Sam’s long-range lob dropped over the keeper and into the net. Then Adam Renard coolly controlled the ball in the area and slotted it home.
Adam could have scored again in the 56th minute, but his acrobatic volley on the turn hit the crossbar – and a minute later, Wooldale made it 5-3.
A deadly cross from Tom Mann set up Sam for his second goal of the match – this time from inside the six-yard box – and, with 21 minutes still left, Shelf seemed to have plenty of time to grab an equaliser.
They laid siege to the Wooldale goal and Tom Mann twice went close in the dying seconds, but just couldn’t find the net.
Even so, a narrow defeat felt like a victory, and the Panthers can look forward to next week’s trip to Rastrick with more optimism than they’ve enjoyed all season.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Toby or not Toby? Luke who's leaving ...
SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 16 OCTOBER 2011
Brighouse 4 Shelf Panthers 0
The Panthers said farewell to two stalwarts as Toby and Luke both played their final games before joining new clubs.
Toby was one of the last remaining original Panthers, who joined the team when they were tiny tots (in Toby’s case, about 6’2”). Having scored countless goals, he’s become the Huddersfield Junior League’s first millionaire player thanks to an over-generous parental incentive scheme: his dad Simon is believed to have finally agreed to his move to Northowram on condition that his new club turn him into a defender and forbid him to cross the halfway line.
Luke, who regularly performed heroics in the Shelf goal before becoming an outfield player, crowned his final performance with a Man of the Match display of ball-winning and surging runs from the centre of midfield.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the Panthers from another defeat as they dominated possession for much of the match but failed to take their chances.
Shelf could have gone ahead after nine minutes when Luke’s accurate through-ball found Robert sprinting down the right, but Ryan just couldn’t manage to get on the end of Robert’s cross.
The Brighouse keeper reacted well to turn a bending shot from Tom Mann round the post in the 17th minute, and then Adam Renard’s corner was almost touched home by Toby.
But slack marking at a corner at the other end led to Brighouse’s first goal, against the run of play, in the 27th minute.
The Panthers had two gilt-edged close-range chances to equalise in the space of a minute. But Toby blazed his over the bar and Sam steered his the wrong side of the post.
The second half was notable for some brave and agile goalkeeping by Tom Brett, particularly a diving one-handed stop from a close-range shot in the 44th minute.
At the other end, Aaron came close with two chances from corners, but his header was saved and his flick went just wide.
Brighouse wrapped the game up with goals in the 45th, 69th and 79th minutes.
Good luck to Toby and Luke at their new clubs (except when they come up against Shelf, of course).
Brighouse 4 Shelf Panthers 0
The Panthers said farewell to two stalwarts as Toby and Luke both played their final games before joining new clubs.
Toby was one of the last remaining original Panthers, who joined the team when they were tiny tots (in Toby’s case, about 6’2”). Having scored countless goals, he’s become the Huddersfield Junior League’s first millionaire player thanks to an over-generous parental incentive scheme: his dad Simon is believed to have finally agreed to his move to Northowram on condition that his new club turn him into a defender and forbid him to cross the halfway line.
Luke, who regularly performed heroics in the Shelf goal before becoming an outfield player, crowned his final performance with a Man of the Match display of ball-winning and surging runs from the centre of midfield.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the Panthers from another defeat as they dominated possession for much of the match but failed to take their chances.
Shelf could have gone ahead after nine minutes when Luke’s accurate through-ball found Robert sprinting down the right, but Ryan just couldn’t manage to get on the end of Robert’s cross.
The Brighouse keeper reacted well to turn a bending shot from Tom Mann round the post in the 17th minute, and then Adam Renard’s corner was almost touched home by Toby.
But slack marking at a corner at the other end led to Brighouse’s first goal, against the run of play, in the 27th minute.
The Panthers had two gilt-edged close-range chances to equalise in the space of a minute. But Toby blazed his over the bar and Sam steered his the wrong side of the post.
The second half was notable for some brave and agile goalkeeping by Tom Brett, particularly a diving one-handed stop from a close-range shot in the 44th minute.
At the other end, Aaron came close with two chances from corners, but his header was saved and his flick went just wide.
Brighouse wrapped the game up with goals in the 45th, 69th and 79th minutes.
Good luck to Toby and Luke at their new clubs (except when they come up against Shelf, of course).
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