Awe-Sam display lifts Panthers out of the mire

15 November 2009
Hebden Bridge u-13s 1 Shelf Panthers 2

A Man of the Match display by Sam on the right wing helped the Panthers overcome the twin challenges posed by a tenacious Hebden Bridge side and a pitch which could have hosted the Yorkshire mud-wrestling championships.

On paper, this looked like a straightforward away win: the league leaders, who’d notched up 48 goals already this season, against the bottom side, who’d leaked exactly the same number.

But it soon became apparent that the form book was being torn up and thrown in the quagmire. Despite having the lion’s share of possession and going close through Dylan and Toby, the Panthers couldn’t find the net.

Then, after 20 minutes, things got worse when Hebden Bridge went ahead after a rare break through the middle. Memories of the Panthers’ only defeat so far this season – against lowly 3D Dynamoes on a similar pudding of a pitch – came flooding back. Would it just be one of those days again?

Shelf tried everything, including a spectacular Adam Renard overhead kick which was well saved by the home side’s keeper on the stroke of half-time. It could have been Goal of the Season. It’s still a strong contender for Muddiest Landing of the Season.

Playing downhill after the break, the Panthers spent virtually the whole of the second half camped in opposition territory. Their patience was finally rewarded after 50 minutes when Toby broke through on the left edge of the penalty area and coolly slotted his 27th goal of the campaign into the bottom right corner of the net.

Toby almost grabbed another with a crisp volley that flew just wide after a perfect right-wing cross from Adam Renard. But it was midfield stalwart Ross who sealed the win, stabbing the ball home from inside the six-yard box after a corner on 58 minutes.

Adam Renard, Sam and Tom Mann all went close after that, while at the other end Tom Wood and William pulled off good covering tackles to snuff out the threat from the home side.

So the Panthers survived an uncomfortable morning to leave with three more points – and the sort of caked-on mud that only the Tony Williams Specialist Laundry Service could remove.