Bold move as Panthers fail to clean up in mud

SHELF PANTHERS MATCH REPORT 13 MARCH 2011
Dewsbury West 6 Shelf Panthers 0

Perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson and Lee Marsh cooked the plan up together over a glass of red wine on Friday night.

Was it really just coincidence that both managers decided on radical changes to their midfields for this weekend’s matches? But whereas Fergie’s reshuffle involved playing defenders further up the pitch, Lee’s hinged on moving top scorer Toby back into the centre of the park.

It was certainly a tactic that caused consternation in Dewsbury’s ranks, as they tried to nullify the threats from his strength and skill by sheer weight of numbers. As coach Richard Baker astutely observed: “Look at them all around Toby – he looks like the Pied Piper.”

Despite the scoreline, this was a pretty good team performance against title-contenders, and with a slice of luck and a bit more composure in front of goal, Shelf might actually have got something out of the match.

They suffered an early setback, conceding a goal in the first minute, but fought back well. Ryan went close twice and Tom Mann’s shot was saved by the keeper after a sharp passing move involving Adam Renard and Robert.

So far, so good. But a three-goal blitz – in the 21st, 31st and 34th minutes – put the home side 4-0 up at half time.

Shelf continued to create plenty of chances after the break but the ball simply refused to go in the net. Even Man of the Match Tom Wood couldn’t find the target with two free-kicks from the edge of the area.

At the other end, Tom Brett reacted quickly to dive and fingertip a close-range effort round the post.

Dewsbury added further goals in the 56th and 62nd minutes, while the Panthers’ day was summed up six minutes from time when Robert beat the advancing keeper to Toby’s through-ball, only to see his shot rebound off the inside of the post and bobble across the goal with no Shelf player in the right place to apply the finishing touch.

Meanwhile, in view of the huge amounts of mud being encountered on pitches such as this (particularly among certain defenders), parents are being asked to vote on a proposal to rename the team Shelf All Blacks and switch to a completely dark kit. Completed ballot forms should be sent to Mrs S. Jones, Dunwashin’, Ariel View, Bold Avenue, (Laundry) Shelf.