Crumbs of comfort for Panthers

SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 11 APRIL 2010
Howden Clough 2 Shelf Panthers 1

Forget the traditional game of two halves – this Panthers performance was more like a sandwich. They served up some quality fare at the start and finish of the match but spoiled it with an unappetising chunk in the middle.

When the sides met at Hipperholme in November, Shelf scraped a 5-4 victory. This time – for most of the first half at least – they seemed to be heading for a much more straightforward win.

With Joe finding space on the right and Robert surging through the centre, the Panthers played some neat passing moves in the sunshine on a good pitch. Adam McDaid’s early snap-shot from inside the area was well saved by the keeper and Adam Renard went close four times in the space of ten minutes. Surely it was only a matter of time before the goal came…

…It was, but unfortunately at the wrong end – a scrappy goal from a rare Howden Clough attack after an opening 23 minutes which had been almost completely dominated by the visitors.

Suddenly, the match was transformed. The Panthers ended the half shakily, began in the same vein after the break and would have gone further behind ten minutes into the second half if it hadn’t been for a smart one-handed save by Nat, bravely deputising for Luke in goal.

Five minutes later, Shelf were level. Tom Wood’s corner was flicked on by Tom Mann, and a defender’s attempted clearance ended up in the Howden Clough net.

But the home side restored their lead after 56 minutes with some neat interplay down the left wing and a shot high into the net.

After that setback, the Panthers played some of their best football of the match, urged on by an inspired Man of the Match display by Adam Renard, who seemed to turn up in every area of the pitch (sometimes simultaneously).

Tom Mann’s clever shot curled just wide; Joe latched onto a loose ball in a goalmouth scramble but scooped it over the bar; Robert flicked Tom Wood’s corner just wide; and Toby was played through by Tom Mann but saw his shot blocked by the keeper.

There was some good news for Shelf, though. Silkstone’s surprise 4-1 defeat at Battyeford means the Panthers stay top of the league with crucial matches against Savile Town and Silkstone to come. It is indeed squeaky bum time…