Match reports 2006/2007

Sunday 5th November Stockport Vikings 2 v 0 Hollingworth
After a very disappointing start to the season losing all our games so far Sundays performance was a pleasure to watch despite the result, the first half saw Hollingworth take the game to the Vikings which saw Matt Powers free header cleared of the line although some might say the defender was clearly over the line, then chance after chance going begging which resulted in us going in level. Second half couldn't come quick enough but for some reason and it has been the same all season we cannot reproduce our first half form,a short time into the second half a defensive mistake resulted in a wicked deflection which gave Leighton Tickle in goal no chance. Not long after a dubious offside decision saw the Vikings score. Managers MOM was Tom Ervine (who was playing right back for the first time),Parents MOM was Akzel Round but really both awards could have gone to any of the players on Sunday. Special thanks to Jim Bleakley for his help in the last few weeks. Also many thanks to Simon Carhart (PAVEWAY) for the new kit.

Sunday 19th November Hollingworth 2 West End Boys 4
Another game of two halves didn't start to well with the referee failing to turn up, but in a bright opening spell by Hollingworth saw them take the lead after some good work by Tim Malkin and Sam Swann saw Joe Mennell lob the ball over the advancing keeper. Then halfway through the half saw West End get a dubious penalty decision which was put away despite a gallant effort by George Leech in net. At the interval saw a tactical reshuffle because of injuries to 2 key defenders but as the first half Hollingworth again took the lead from a corner Joe Mennell nodded in a fine goal, but as before instead of spurring the team on the injuries took their toll with West End scoring 3 goals through defensive mistakes. Managers MOM was Joe Mennell and the Parents MOM was Leighton Tickle.

25th February Hollingworth Juniors 2 Hillgate Boys 2
Hollingworth gained their first point of the season in a pulsating encounter with Hillgate Boys. The performances were a credit to both teams. The game kicked off in less than ideal conditions with both team playing some great attacking football. Midway into the first half Hillgate made an attack down the right wing which led to a cross being unfortunately deflected into the Hollingworth goal. To our credit the Hollingwoth Boys kept their heads up and created a well-deserved equaliser after great play by Joe Mennell and Liam Cole, Bret Beresford put the superb cross into the net. Just before the end of the first half, Hollingworth was unable to clear the ball from the goal line, Hillgate regained the lead. The second half commenced with some more great football with a number of chances going begging. With 10 minutes to go the ball found it’s way to Liam Cole who dispatched it past the advancing Keeper for a well-earned equalizer. This was by far the best display of the season so far with every player playing well and working as a team. The MOM awards were a difficult decision with many players to choose from. However, the awards went to Akzel Round (Parents MOM) and Tim Rogers (Managers MOM) both were fantastic at the back. WELL DONE LADS!

4th March 2007 Bramhall North 5 Hollingworth 3
Hollingworth went into ‘the battle of the basement teams’ game on a high after gaining their first league point of the season the previous week, but with a depleted squad and less than ideal conditions you could tell it wasn't going to be our day from the kick off. Bramhall started brightly and soon made it 1-0, Hollingworth tried to play good football but it wasn't easy with a ditch in one of the goal areas. Midway through the half Bramhall made it 2-0 after a mix up in the Hollingworth defence. Hollingworth ten seemed to kick start into action and they had a few good chances to pull it back. Just before half time a great individual goal by Bret Beresford reduced the deficit. The second half started much the same as the first with Bramhall scoring 2 early goals to make it 4-1, but then Hollingworth decided to up their game and played some good football. A goal was pulled back through top scorer Joe Mennell. Straight from the restart Bramhall raced up field to make it 5-2, the last 10 minutes Hollingworth had many chances with constant bombardment of the Bramhall goal with their keeper making a fantastic save from a superbly taken Joe Mennell free kick. Chance after chance went begging and Joe Mennell managed to pull another back but it was all too little too late with the match ending 5-3. The managers MOM was Leighton Tickle who had a great game in defence and the parents MOM went to Matt Power who again was a revelation at left back.

11th March Hollingworth 2 v 6 Great Moor County A
Hollingworth went into the game with 2nd placed Great Moor with a full squad for the first time this season. The team started as if they meant business, in the first 20 minutes Hollingworth really took the game to the visitors with Tom Gallagher carrying out some great tackles and Joe Mennell and Bret Beresford making some great attacking runs. They forced a corner, Captain Tim Malkin’s in swinging corner caused havoc in the Great Moors defence, which resulted in Matt Power scoring his first goal of the season. Great Moor stepped up their game and scored an equaliser. Hollingworth didn’t let their heads drop and forced another corner, as the corner came over Joe Mennell rose like a young salmon to head the ball into the Great Moor net to make it 2-1. Great Moor stepped up their game and really went to town on Hollingworth scoring 4 unanswered goals through some very slack defending. Half Time couldn’t come quick enough for the home side. Finally, the first half ended 2-5 to the visitors. Second half started much the same as the first ended with Great Moor scoring early on. The rest of the second half was a very even contest with each team cancelling each other out. A lot of positives can be taken out of this game, majority of the game we matched a very good team man for man but for a 15 minute spell either side of half time and 3 or 4 wasted chances it could have been a very different result.Managers MOM was Tom Gallagher and Parents MOM was Akzel Round. Well done to all the lads and keep your heads up. THE ONLY WAY IS UP!