Panthers blown away in second half

SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 9 JANUARY 2011-01-09
Shelf Panthers 4 Greetland 5

In their first match after an unscheduled seven-week winter break, the Panthers suffered defeat despite racing into a four-goal lead.

With most players waking up to a fresh covering of snow outside their homes, the game seemed certain to become yet another casualty of the big freeze. Club officials hastily checked the fixture list: were today’s opponents Greetland or Greenland?

But the snow and ice had miraculously spared the Hipperholme pitch (or else Lee had been out since the early hours with a shovel and a hair-drier).

Even so, the conditions played a big part in the match, as a ferocious westerly wind blew straight into the faces of the team toiling up the slope. In the first half, that was Greetland – and the Panthers took early advantage.

Their first goal came after five minutes. Tom Wood’s cross from the left found Robert inside the area and his shot was deflected into the net by the keeper. Three minutes later, Shelf doubled their lead when Luke exchanged passes neatly with Robert to carve his way through the defence and steer the ball home for his first goal of the season.

Toby – who put in a tireless display up front to win the Man of the Match award – was next on the scoresheet, showing lovely control on the edge of the area before rifling the ball into the bottom right corner.

Just 12 minutes gone, and the Panthers were already 3-0 up. Surely things couldn’t get any better? But nine minutes later, they went even further ahead as Dylan met Tom Wood’s precise corner with a powerful header.

Greetland showed commendable determination, though, and battled their way back to 2-4 at half time with goals in the 27th and 35th minutes.

The visitors had the wind in their sails now, and two minutes after the break they reduced the deficit to just one goal.

Tom Brett produced another fine goalkeeping performance to keep Greetland at bay for long periods, but a two-goal salvo in the 57th and 58th minutes gave the visitors the lead.

Shelf came within a whisker of equalising a minute before the end, but Toby’s outstretched boot just failed to connect with Joe’s cross in the six-yard box.

Let’s hope the Panthers don’t have to wait another seven frozen weeks for the chance to get back to winning ways.