Hollingworth v Reddish Vulcan bombers in the Stockport Metro Cup was postponed 25th November
Hollingworth 1 Reddish Vulcan Bombers 4 Stockport Metro League Cup 2nd December
The first cup game of the season and the u11s were hoping for a nice easy draw against 4th division opposition. Instead we got the 1st division league leaders who haven’t lost a game yet! We got off to the worst possible start conceding a goal after only 30 seconds, the defence having a Silvestre moment. The next 20 minutes were very scrappy as the game was being played in midfield. The Vulcans then scored twice in the space of five minutes just before the break. Hollingworth never let their heads drop and were rewarded with a great headed goal from Bradley Rawlinson after a good run from Max White. The second half was end to end with chances from both sides. it was the Vulcans who scored the all important next goal with a superb sweeping move that started in there own box and six passes later was in the Hollingworth net. It showed why they are top of the league and will probably finish the season with at least 1 piece of silverware. Manager Baines said “he was proud of all the players and the commitment was first class. The vulcans will probably get to the final so it was no disgrace to lose today.” Alvar Paris was man of the match, Frank Donald was player of the week.
Hollingworth Juniors 2 Marple Athletic 4 Saturday 9th December
After torrential rain put pay to most of the other games in the area. Credit must go to the Hollingworth ground staff (Gary Wyche with his size 15 wellies!! and Rick Ball with his size 12 slippers!!) who managed to get the pitch playable. The game got under way with a swirling wind making it difficult for both sides. A mistake from the marple keeper let in Bradley Rawlinson to score with ease. With Hollingworth dominant it was no surprise when Max White got the second after a great run from Frank Donald. White turned a defender to fire past the advancing keeper. The second half began with a number of changes for the home side. They still looked the more likely to score when out of the blue Marple pulled a goal back. Panic set into the Hollingworth defence and the away side sensed an unlikely victory. Athletic then scored 3 times in the final ten minutes to leave the home sides title aspirations in tatters. Manager Baines said” This defeat leaves a sour taste in the mouth”. Tom Wyche was man of the match. Max White was player of the week.
Chinley Juniors 0 v 10 Hollingworth Juniors 16th December
The game was switched to Hollingworth on police advice! The pitch was in a playable condition after the ground staff! (Gary and Rick!!!) Worked miracles clearing the water out of the goalmouths. After losing the last 3 games. The u11s bounced back with an emphatic victory. Hollingworth were two up in the first five minutes after Bradley Rawlinson netted both goals to ease the tension. Josh Jackson then netted his first goal for the club, scoring a screamer from 20 yards. Rawlinson then scored the fourth to net a first half hat-trick to end the game as a contest. The second half was much the same with Chinley only getting in the Hollingworth half about 3 times. Further goals from Ryan Murray, Max White, Elliot Draper, and Simon Hallam with 2 which included the goal of the game after a four man move ending in Simon lobbing the keeper from the edge of the area. The final goal went to man of the match Sam Wellings who scored his first goal in over a year sending the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. Man of the match was Sam wellings. Player of the match was Simon Hallam. p.s. some coaches would like to win 10-0 all the time. But the Hollingworth coaches would rather lose 2-1 and have a really good game, than watch games that were over after the first ten minutes.
Hillgate Boys 2 v 7Hollingworth Juniors
This game was played at Hollingworth as the hillgate pitch was unplayable. Hillgate got off to a great start with a goal after only 30 seconds, the Hollingworth defence being all over the place. Max White quickly equalized
after a scramble in the box. Bradley Rawlinson then put Hollingworth in front lifting the ball over the
advancing keeper after Frank Donald had set him up. Tom Wyche in goal made a superb save denying Hillgate an equalizer, Hillgate then missed a penalty after the forward was chopped down, the only decision the ref had to make was if the offence was in the area, he pointed to the spot so no arguments from the Hollingworth team. Ten minutes before the break stand in manager Paul Rawlinson made an inspired substitution bring on Alex Ball and with his 1st touch the little striker scored a lovely curling shot into the top corner. Just after halftime White got his 2nd of the match firing pas a hesitant defence, Hillgate pulled another goal back scoring a good team goal. Simon Hallam then ended the game as a contest scoring a superb solo goal beating three defenders before firing a left foot shot into the bottom corner. With 15 minutes to go Rawlinson got his 2nd tapping in from four yards after the
keeper failed to hold onto a shot from Elliot Draper. Hollingsworth's final goal went to man of the match Alex Ball who latched onto a great ball from L iam Percy to score with ease.
Hollingworth Juniors 7 v 2 Henbury and broken cross
This fixture was reversed on account that a tree was on the Hollingworth pitch. The last time we played in Macclesfield we saw lovely countryside, a 6-0 win and on the way back more tempory traffic lights and gridlock than when Jim Bleakleys and Gareth Summers teams had an open top bus parade around Hollingworth for winning there cup compitions last season! This time it was much the same, Josh Jackson put the u11s infront in the 10th minute lobbing over the keeper after a quick throw-in caught Henbury napping. Max White then bundled the ball in after a scramble in the goalmouth. It was one way traffic as Hollingworth ploughed forward a cross from Sam bellings somehow found its way into the net. A lovely flowing move involving 4 players was finished off by Elliot Draper who lashed the ball home with his sweet left foot. Just after the break Henbury reduced the defecit with a goal which from the sideline looked 5 yards offside. The u11s to there credit just shrugged it off and got on with it! Frank Donald scored the fifth with a first time shot that gave the keeper no chance. White tapped in for his 2nd of the game and his 14th of the season after the overworked goalie spilled the ball into the forwards feet. Henbury scored again after the Hollingworth defence went AWOL leaving Tom Wyche with no cover. Alex Ball finished things off with a delecate chip over the defender on the line to secure a comfortable win. The journey back was AGAIN total gridlock and it took us 70 minutes to get home!!(But it was worth it!) Elliot Draper was man of the match, Josh Jackson was managers player of the week .
Hattersley Juniors 4 v 2 Hollingworth Juniors 3rd February
It's a shame that a good game of football would not be mentioned in the after match analysis. Instead the main talking points would centre on two dreadful decisions that resulted in goals for Hattersley. Sam Wellings reduced the deficit with a 25 yard screamer into the top corner that gave the keeper no chance. Hattersley got back their two goal advantage with a well worked goal from a corner. Early in the 2nd half Frank Donald scored a superb volley after a great ball from Josh Jackson. With Hollingworth ploughing forward looking for the equalizer, Hattersley broke up play and a ball over the top fell to a forward who was at least 2 yards offside. Referee waved play on and the grateful striker lobbed over the advancing keeper to finish the scoring. Josh Baines was man of the match, Sam Wellings was Managers player of the week.
Richmond Rovers 5 v 0 Hollingworth Juniors
With the u11s down to the bare bones through illness and holidays, perhaps it wasn't a good time to play the league leaders. Hollingworth started brightly and were unlucky when Ryan Murray saw his goalbound shot deflected for a corner. Liam Percy and Frank Donald then saw chances go begging and it was against the run of play that Richmond scored the first goal. A shot that Tom Wyche in goal had covered took a wicked deflection to loop over the stranded keeper. The home team scored again just before the break with a cool finish. Some of the Hollingworth boys' heads went down in the second half and Richmond scored a further three goals (two through poor defending and the other a superb 20 yard strike). Although Richmond are top of the league they were not 5 goals better than us! Finally the referee was outstanding and at the end of the game the Hollingworth u11s coaching team gave him a big hug! (Something that will please chairman McNee!!)
Hollingworth Juniors 3 v 1 Reddish North End
Hollingworth were out of the blocks early and got their passing game going quickly. Max White, Bradley Rawlinson and Josh Jackson all had chances that went begging. Ryan Murray then went on a great run and he cut the ball back to find Alex Ball who side-footed home from 15 yards. More chances came and went and the game could have been over after fifteen minutes but poor finishing came to north end's rescue. Reddish then had their first shot that Tom Wyche held easily. He then launched the ball up-field that sailed over the Reddish defence and Ryan Murray ran on to score. The second half was awful, with the u11s thinking there was no need to pass to each other, every player thought that they could walk the ball into the net on there own. Reddish reduced the arrears with a scrappy goal that summed up the second half. It was left to Max White to score in the last minute to seal the win. Shots off target 47 Shots on target 6!! Guess what we will be practicing in training???? Alex Ball was man of the match Tom Wyche was managers player of the week.
Whaley Bridge 2 Hollingworth Juniors 2
The kick off was delayed for 10minutes to allow the huge Hollingworth following into the ground. They didn’t have to wait to long for the action as Hollingworth scored after only 90 seconds, Max White rifling home after Bradley Rawlinson shot deflected into his path. Hollingworth were soon back in front when Max White again latched onto a goalkeeping error. The game ended 2-2. Alvar Paris was man of the match. Lucas Worsley was managers’ player of the week. Note: Intimidating the referee needs to stop, especially young referees as it is difficult to get referees and will only become more difficult if this blatant intimidation continues. Clubs need to take note of the FA's Code of Conduct that should be adhered to whilst participating in junior football.
Hollingworth Juniors 0 Chapel Town Juniors 3
On a pitch that resembled Dawn French (very heavy!!) The u11s lost to a workmanlike chapel side.Both teams gave it their all in terrible conditions. Well done to chapel.But the really big news was manager John Baines handing the club his resignation.I think I speak on behalf of ALL the parents in thanking John for all his work and commitment to the team..He will still be here next season, encouraging the boys but as a parent. He MIGHT even get his hand in his pocket now and start buying a round!!We will see! We’re not holding our breath tho’!!!
NB: The U11s would like to ask ALL parents to respect ALL the referees decision's even if you don't agree with some of them, this forms part of our code of conduct.
Droylsden Juniors 9 Hollingworth Juniors 0
This was a very poor performance. In fact it was the worst of the season. Droylsden were a lot slicker and quicker than Hollingworth. Still we battled well in the 1st half but some poor play in a 5 minute spell had the home side 3 up at the break. In the 2nd half we just didn't compete and we conceded 6 more goals. Pete Donald was selected as the new manager. We wish him good luck.
Appollo Juniors 0 Hollingworth Juniors 0 (friendly)
This was not a bad game for a 0-0er. Appollo who are 2 divisions above us started brightly and Liam Percy in goal had to get down quickly at his near post to keep the home team out. Hollingworth came more into it after that, and when Frank Donald was put through he beat the last defender and the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net. The 2nd half was much the same with chances at both ends.It was a good workout for the boys after the thumping they got the week before! A nice start to his managerial career for Pete Donald. He's been given an 18 month contract and a new set of earplugs!
Hollingworth Juniors 0 Droylsden Junior Pumas 6
This was a much better performance from Hollingworth but still ended up being beaten convincingly.
The u11s held out until the 20th minute then conceded 2 goals in 2 minutes. The 2nd half was a battle as the pitch got heavy. Ryan Murray and Alex Ball went close for the hosts but there shots were well saved by the pumas keeper. Then 2 mistakes from the defence and midfield put the game beyond doubt. With time ticking down Droylsden scored 2 more to make it 6-0. This was harsh on the u11s as they competed all morning against a team that will be promoted come the end of the season.
Hollingworth Juniors 3 Woodley Albion 2
The last game of the season for the u11s against a Woodley team who needed to win as they are in deep relegation trouble. The home team started as if the holidays had already begun.There was more life in a tramps vest than the home defence! Woodley had a job to do and they went ahead after there forward beat 3 of the Hollingworth defence and calmly slotted home for a great goal. Maybe this would wake the home side? Not a chance! Three of the players had their sunglasses on and were playing with a beachball ! Woodley soon doubled the lead as a corner wasn't cleared and a shot from the edge of the area crept into the net. Manager Donald was fuming and made a substitution, it worked because the best move of the match resulted in a goal for Ryan Murray after great build up work from Alex Ball and Max White. The 2nd half was all one way traffic and it was no surprise that Hollingworth equalised. Murray going on a maisy run that was ended by a poor challenge from the Woodley defender. Up stepped Sam Wellings to score his 4th goal of the season from the spot. The home team were now flying and Elliot Draper, Bradley Rawlinson and Danny Ogden all going close to scoring. The winner came with 10 minutes to go the ball siting up just perfect for Frank Donald to lash home. A great come back from a team that looked out of the game after 15 minutes.
Summary of the season; won 12
drew 2
lost 8
Could have done better. Should have done better.
Here's to next season!!
The under 11s would like to congratulate the under 15s on winning the Cheshire cup. Well done lads.