13th September 2009 League, U15 Away to Monks: Draw 2-2
Report by John Leslie
Following last weeks postponement due to the Wembley trip Winwick got the season underway with a 2-2 draw against Monks having surrendered a 2-0 lead in a match that included a bizarre incident, controversial refereeing decisions and some cynical play from our opponents.
The match saw League debuts for summer signings Joe in central defence and Dominic in midfield. Winwick kicked off and quickly dominated play from the start with both Callum and Bradley having chances in the first 10 minutes that were either saved or just over the bar.
Winwick continued to play in Monks half without managing to score and in 17 mins. Monks had their first real attack of the match resulting in a corner. 5 minutes later James made a good save from a Monks long range effort while at the other end Dan had a couple of good shots.
In 27 minutes tenacious defending by Alex results in another Monks corner and 2 minutes later at the other end Jonathan shoots wide with the Monks keeper stranded.
Despite Winwicks overwhelming domination Monks come closest to scoring in 31 minutes when they take a free kick just outside the box and hit the far post and then shoot over the bar with the rebound. For the remainder of the half Winwicks pace continues to trouble the Monks defence with Jonathan and Bradley falling foul of some late tackles.
2nd Half
For this half Andy comes on in goal with James moving to midfield in place of Dominic and Matt replaces Tim. Winwick continue at the pace they finished the first half and within 2 mins. Monks almost score an OG but the ball goes for a corner. 7mins. Later a shot from Joe is turned out for another corner then James shoots just wide from long range. 12 mins. Into the half James passes through to Jonathan who draws the keeper out to score a good goal 1-0 Winwick.
A further period of Winwick domination follows where they win further corners and the keeper saves a goal bound Bradley shot.
In 16 mins. Jonathan makes another fast break and crosses to Callum and the keeper saves his first attempt but he nets the rebound - 2-0 Winwick.
Monks now push forward more and in 24 minutes score when Winwicks defence are slow to clear their lines.
Winwick start to press again and in the closing stages a desperate Monks twice send their keeper up into Winwicks box for corners. On the second of these occasions with their keeper stranded in the wrong half Jonathan sets off into the Monks half only to be chopped down from behind by a Monks player. In bizarre fashion the game is then stopped for three minutes not to caution the Monks player but due to the referee discovering Monks had 12 players on the park at the time of the incident and had to sort out with the bench who should be on the park !
Play resumes and moves into added time with Monks scoring an equaliser in 9 minutes of added time that even our opponents seemed surprised to discover was not ruled offside.
You couldn't make it up ! Roll on next weeks home game against Dragons and hopefully a return to normality.
Winwick Goals: Jonathan & Callum
Winwick Man of the Match: Team