Away vs Poynton 24/01/10 Lost 4-5

Team: Tom, Ryan, Ollie, Liam, Jake, Chucky, Damon, Alex, Thommo, Sam, Luke, Subs: Dylan, Adam, Edgey
 

What a game to watch as a spectator, what a game to endure as a manager! Hollingworth got nothing out of this game in the end, despite a fightback in the second half which was exciting to watch, but ultimately frustrating. The hard work was undone by debatable decisions by the official and some poor defending by Hollingworth, which allowed Poynton to come out on top.

Poynton started the game more brightly, the odd attack by Hollingworth was was offset, in a generally flat and disjointed display by the lads. The midfield looked lost, allowing far too much time on the ball to the opposition. The more our midfield melted away, the more it invited Poynton on to our defence. The pressure told when a Poynton corner was floated in, and one of their shortest players got up to head the ball in "unmarked". Not good enough lads, teams stand or fall on every player taking responsibility for doing the basics.

The game continued as before, however one corner to us, saw Alex float in a beauty and as it was headed out, Sam waited to hit it first time in to the top corner. The good mood did not last however and more sloppy play saw Poynton grasp the lead again before half time. A good move down our right side saw two of our players making half-hearted challenges. Their player skipped past, put the ball into the area and the inevitable happened. Players looked to blame each other, but again, football is a team game and players need to take collective responsibility as much as learn from individual mistakes.

Poynton may well have gone in to the break 4 or 5 goals to the good. Some poor finishing by them, as well as some outstandingly brave and agile keeping by Tom kept the score  at 2-1.

The half time break was followed with an energetic enough start by the lads, but within minutes Poynton had got a third. Our midfield allowed players through, the defence did not clear the lines, the inevitable happened. Dylan was subbed by Damon and then the game started to go our way. The lads got into their stride, and has often been seen this season, we then started to play some fluent passing football which cut Poynton apart. The game was far from one sided, but Hollingworths running, particularly the interplay between Chucky, Sam & Luke upfront saw the Poynton defence stretched.

Some fantastic play then saw us score 3 goals. First was a lovely move from our midfield which saw Alex play a ball right to Luke, Luke played a first time diagonal through pass to Sam which he then ran towards the keeper. As the keeper came out, Sam rounded him and slotted the ball home. A third goal came from from Chucky,after Adam had made a strong run to the byline and crossed the ball over. He finished with a coolly taken shot giving the keeper no chance. Pressure continued with several chances to us going begging with some profligate finishing, Sam struck a one on one chance straight at the keeper after doing all the hard work, Adam struck one over as did Chucky. Frustrating to watch.

Sam then got his hat trick with a well taken goal, when a loose ball was seized upon, he ran at the Poynton defender, beat him and then slotted past the keeper.

Poynton then took the game back to us, running determinedly at every opportunity. One attack saw Tom pull off an outstanding save when a goal bound shot was tipped past the post by Tom's fingertip as he dived to his right. Excellent stuff. He followed this with another save which looked simple enough, but which he took well after it had been hit with force and which swerved through the air as it came toward him. He took it impeccably  in textbook fashion with a dive to the right.

Everything then went wrong. A Poynton attack saw Thommo injured as the ball was cleared. As Thommo nursed his injured leg in our area, the ball was played back, the Poynton forward controlled it past our defence and slotted home. Unfortunately the ref did not act on the shouts about our injured player, and controversially decided that Thommo had played the player on side. Fair enough, but the frustration arose from other stoppages which had been made, including one having been made to allow players to tie bootlaces.

Hollingworth allowed this to affect their football, and within minutes, Poynton had not only equalized, but got the winner. A ball from midfield to the forward saw him skip past several of our players without a meaningful challenge being made. Tom made a despairing effort to reach the ball as it was knocked over him, but to no avail. 

Even then, a final flurry of attacks by the lads nearly saw a last second equalizer when a ball floated across the area, came to Damon at the far post. Not getting the cleanest strike on the ball, we all watched it as it rolled along the goal line for several yards and then out into play again. AAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!

Poynton did not deserve to lose, but arguably, did not deserve the win either, on the basis of Hollingworth's 2nd half play. The determination shown to get back in to the game, some excellent finishing up front and some equally excellent goalkeeping, deserved better. Unfortunately, football should be played to the whistle and players should continue to apply 100% to the end. Poynton did this, we were found wanting when it really mattered.

A bit more determination in the tackle and some resilience when the going is tough wouldn't go amiss when we get this kind of game again lads.

Man of match: Tom Jenkinson

Away vs FC Blue Star (Comets) 17/01/10 Metro cup Won 8-1

Team: Tom, Ryan, Ollie, Thommo, Joe Forde, Jake Broaders, Chucky, Alex, Lewis Edge, Luke, Sam, Subs: Liam, Adam, Dylan

After a long break without any games or training, the lads were keen to get back into things and run off some Xmas pudding. Though a bit firm in places, the Blue Stars Fog Lane pitch was in good condition despite the recent arctic weather.

Hollingworth started brightly, putting pressure on Blue Star immediately. The pressure soon told with Sam scoring with a first time strike over the advancing goalkeepers head from 18 yards out. Lewis Edge soon followed up with another goal, calmly slotting away under pressure from the Blue Star defence.

Blue Star then stepped up a gear, and started to play through the midfield with several attacks. One of these saw a well taken goal, helped along by a rather flat footed Hollingworth defence. Hollingworth continued to attack the Blue Star goal. Sam added another goal, a quality finish from the same angle, distance as before. Again, the goalkeeper could only look as it went over the top of his head. Luke added another, poaching one from close range, and  Thommo added another with a back heel from an Alex Barnsley corner which had appeared to be going in to goal without passing go!

With some more clinical and patient finishing, Hollingworth may well have hit double figures by half time. As it was, 1-5 to Hollingworth at the break.Ollie & Thommo played well in defence throughout, marshalling the Blue Star players well (goal excepting) and always looking to start attacks from the back when we had won the ball

The second half was started as finished, with Hollingworth making attack after attack. Adam scored from a penalty after a rather soft decision which saw Blue Star penalised after a slight tug on Sam's shirt by the defender. Adam finished with conviction. Two more goals came from Luke during the second half to allow us to finish comfortably and go through to the bext round.

Several players had a good game today, Thommo had a good game in defence, some very timely tackles being made, Dylan (for Lewis) made some very positive runs on the right wing, showing a willingness to take on players and support attacks. Particular mention however to Ollie Roberts. His assurance throughout, saw some impressively calm and controlled play in making the interceptions when needed and generally reading the game well. Excellent to watch.

Man of match: Oliver Roberts

Away vs Inter Cheadle 13/12/09 Won 13-0

Team:  Tom, Jake, Ryan, Ollie, Thommo, Chucky, Damon, Alex, Adam, Luke, Sam SUBS: Lewis, Dylan, Matt Logan,  Joe Forde, Matt Brook, Lewis Edge

Sam Tolley (3), Luke Mettrick (3), Chucky (3), Thommo, Alex, Lewis, Liam

As the scoreline suggests, this was an easy game for Holllingworth, Inter having suffered this year through losing players to other teams which is a shame. No wish to gloat, just that it really was one way traffic. Saying that however, in our tried and tested fashion, there were still moments where a little more composure in front of goal would have seen a higher scoreline than the one we ended with.

We were 5-0 up at half time, but this could have easily have been double, Inters goalkeeper, who looked very familiar to the Hollingworth lads, stopping several other "certain" efforts with various parts of his body. Other goal attempts would have earned 3 immediate points in another sport! Moooooooooooo!

The game continued as one way, generally, in the second half, with the team formation being swapped around to try players in some different positions. Three hat tricks were scored by Sam, Luke & Chucky. A first for our team to get this many in one game. Well done lads.

Other goals were scored by Thommo ( a very good header met at the far post), Alex ( never one to miss out on the action this year), Liam, and Lewis Edge, with his first for Hollingworth. Lewis scored a very good goal, struck from the edge of the area and over the head of the keeper.

Inter did have a period of fighting back midway through the second half, but were unable to impact upon Hollingworth, our defence holding firm. Tom had to keep being spoken to to make sure that he hadn't frozen against his post! 

As ever, several lads displayed the usual high standard of effort and football: Jake Broaders, Thommo, Ollie, amongst others

Thanks to a couple of lads here, namely Joe Forde & Matt Brooks who showed some outstanding sportmanship during the game. Well done lads.

Good luck to Inter as well. It hasn't been an easy season so far for them, but stay together lads and keep the effort going.

Man of match: Jake Broaders

Home vs Prestbury FC (Lynx) 22/11/09 Metro cup Won 6-2

Team: Tom, Ryan, Ollie, Thommo, Matt Logan, Chucky, Alex, Liam, Dylan, Sam, Luke Subs: Adam, Damon, Joseph, Matt Brook

Due to overnight rain, concerns had been raised about the pitch but it turned out to be perfectly playable, though rain threatened again as we kicked off.

The lads started brightly enough, a lot of competition in midfield early on with both teams looking for the early advantage. Apart from a very good save made by Tom when he dived gracefully to stop a good effort, Hollingworth won a succesion of corners down the Prestbury left. Ryan fed some very good balls forward for Luke & Dylan. Hollingworth failed to capitalise on these however and a number of decent chances to score were wasted. Hollingworths first goal then came via an excellent through pass by Alex, who fed the ball to Sam, and who then finished calmly with a shot from the left which gave the keeper no chance.

This did not dampen Prestburys spirits who came back at us with several attacks. Thommo had to be very aware of the physical play of the Prestbury centre forward who certainly was not taking any prisoners! He coped well with this, standing his ground well whenever needed. One attack however resulted in the Hollingworth defence making the error of not clearing their lines quickly enough. Prestbury did not react as slowly and made it 1-1. Another Prestbury attack saw a wonderful slide tackle at the last moment by Ollie Roberts, as the big lad upfront bore down on goal. Football worthy of any game.

After a half time talk which reminded the lads of what had happened in our last cup game, the team was changed with Adam, Damon & Matt Brook coming on to try their hand. Unfortunately, the talk seemed to have gone out of the other ear when Prestbury got themselves a second via a free kick. Just one of those things, but the ball struck Alex and was deflected in. Looks of surprise all round resulted.

Words of encouragement were then given to the lads, and they then started to pick up their game, Alex starting to drive the midfield and grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. Luke & Sam worked well upfront, looking to feed off the balls from midfield and working the defence around well. The greater effort was quickly rewarded when Luke poached an effort which Prestbury failed to clear. Luke hadn't played due to an arm injury for several weeks, he enjoyed every moment of his celebration. Soon he made it 3-2 when Sam played in a cross to him which he coolly finished, again, enjoying the moment!

The fourth goal came from another good ball from midfield, which Luke then played over for Sam. Sam hit the ball cleanly at the near post and gave the keeper no chance. The Luke and Sam show had seen three good goals in the space of ten minutes.

Our fifth came from Alex who scored with his usual energy and lethal finishing. He picked up the ball in front of the Prestbury defence, ensured that he gave himself space to play, and then hit a rocket shot which thundered in. Fantastic effort Alex.

Some changes were made to give other lads a chance, and Sam, Luke & Alex gave way for Dylan Chucky & Liam. Joseph had already come on for Matt Logan (LB).The sixth goal for us came from Dylan, when another attack on their goal saw the Prestbury defence panicking, and failing to clear. Dylan was first to react and stabbed the ball home.

It was pleasing to see the lads pick themselves up from a flat first half with an enthusiastic first appearance by Matt Brook. They reacted positively to the situation from 1-2 down, and took the game to Prestbury ensuring their passage to the next round. It is pleasing to see goals coming from different players this year, and a good team spirit which always pulls them through (most of the time!!!) when they need it.

Well done lads.
 

Home vs Inter Cheadle 13/09/09 Won 7-2

TEAM: Tom, Jake, Ryan, Ollie, Liam, Chucky, Damon, Alex, Adam, Luke, Sam  SUBS: Lewis, Dylan, Thommo
 
Matt Leatherbarrow (3), Luke Mettrick, Sam Tolley, Alex Barnsley, Damon Worsley

This was a fantastic performance by a Hollingworth side with their tails up, after 4 successive victories in pre-season friendlies. As the game settled down, we then got our game together and started to link passes together, midfield providing the drive and impetus against our opponents. By half time, after constant pressure on the Inter goal, we were 5-1 to the good, with confidence gathering pace in the team with every goal, t
he pick of these being the second scored by Matt, although mention should be made of Luke who rose like a salmon to head home!

The second half saw us come out with the same energy, the Inter midfield & defence stretched in all directions as Hollingworth looked to press the first half advantage. A 6th goal for us saw Inter look to then get something out of the game. Their determination at this point paid off, with a second goal. Unfortunately for Inter, the overall strength of the Hollingworth play
saw a 7th goal scored. This effectively ended the game as a contest and Hollingworth ended worthy winners. ( M of M - Matt Leatherbarrow).

Away vs Juno Utd 20/09/09 Won 2-1

TEAM: Tom, Jake, Ryan, Ollie, Liam, Chucky, Thommo, Alex, Adam, Sam, Luke, SUBS: Damon, Dylan, Lewis

Alex Barnsley (2)

A long standing football cliche, but definitely a game of two halves!

First half saw Hollingworth forget any pre game match plan or managers tactics and instead a habit of conceding possession to Juno far too often. Juno were only too happy to take advantage and passed the ball , constantly proving a threat to the Hollingworth defence. After several near misses, Juno saw a free kick on the edge of the Hollingworth area. The kick was aimed at the wall who failed to do the job asked of them, and as the defence tried to clear, the ball was sliced backwards (mysteriously) and bounced over Tom in goal.

After a half time chat which reminded Hollingworth of their abilities, the difference was total. Hollingworth were then like a team possessed, with both Alex & Adam in midfield starting to dominate, denying Juno possession and starting to bring our wing players into the game. The defence soaked up any attacks made by Juno and then turned the possession into attack every time, getting the ball to midfield who in turn started to create opportunities for Sam & Luke to test the Juno defence with some runs into the Juno defence which were both full of pace and clever play.

The pressure told with an excellent move involving a number of passes seeing Alex hit the onion bag - 1-1!! Hollingworth continued to pressure Juno in the same manner, attack after attack being made, with every Juno foray into the Hollingworth half seeing some excellent defending from Jake, Ollie R, Liam & Ryan frustrating Juno. Hollingworth's constant pressure and Alex's muscular play in midfield eventually told, with Alex bagging a second and which then won us the game.

All credit to Juno who were unlucky to only be 1-0 up at half time, but full credit to Hollingworth for a second half performance which was exciting and lovely to watch.
(M of M - Alex Barnsley)


Away vs Droylsden (M/cr Cup) 27/09/09 Won 3-2

TEAM: Tom, Luke, Liam, Ollie, Jake, Chucky, Thommo, Alex, Adam, Sam, Lewis, SUBS: Damon, Ryan, Dylan

Alex Barnsley (2), Ollie Thomasson

Hollingworth travelled to Droylsden for this Manchester County Cup game, not in hope, but in the knowledge that with a Stockport Metro Div 1 side, that this would be a test of their team spirit and play.

From the start, both teams decided not to sit back, but to look for goals. The Hollingworth defence absorbed some early pressure, and then started to spread the ball to the wing players, Luke & Thommo working well together together on the right & Jake & Matt on the left. As the ball was increasingly played forward, this brought Sam & Lewis into the game in the attack. A series of attack & counter attacks saw Hollingworth press forward to be realised in a loose ball in the Droylsden area being stabbed home by Thommo. Minutes later, a piece of play on the Hollingworth right saw a corner awarded to Hollingworth, disputed by the home team who had claimed a foul in the buiild up. With the referee resolute in his decision, the corner was taken and what a belter! It was lofted perfectly over the Droylsden defence, to see Alex rise and head home at the far post. 2-0!

The second half saw Droylsden look to take back the initiative and look to drive a result. An increasing number of attacks saw the Hollingworth defence tested, but which coped well with the challenge. Hollingworth still had their share of going forward, with both Sam & Matt going close (but no cigar!). The Droylsden substitute in midfield increasingly took control of the game, and Alex had his work cut out keeping with him. Droylsden eventually got the goal their play deserved, when the Hollingworth defence pushed forward a little too far & were left flat footed by the Droylsden player. Outstanding in goal was Tom who made several one on one saves, coming off his line well to deny Droylsden a goal.

Droylsden pushed for an equaliser, but in doing so, left opportunities for Hollingworth to exploit. One such move saw the ball pushed back by the Hollingworth defence and as Sam & Lewis worried the defence, the ball fell to Alex who composed himself and hit a tremendous strike to make it 3-1. To their credit, Droylsden came straight back at Hollingworth and this led to their 2nd goal when a lofted ball floated into the Hollingworth area. With no real danger, and all it needed for Tom to catch the ball, the defence failed to speak, the ball was headed backwards and Tom was not able to stop it going in.

The final whistle saw Hollingworth elated at being the equal of a very good side and through to the next round of the cup. This was the seventh win in a row for Hollingworth since coming back from the summer break. Well done lads ( but no more "own goals" !!!!!!!!).

M of M - Tom Jenkinson

Away vs Hyde United 04/10/09 Lost 3-2

TEAM: Tom, Ryan, Jake, Ollie, Liam, Chucky, Damon, Alex, Adam, Thommo, Sam,  SUBS: Lewis, Luke, Dylan, Joseph

Liam Belfield, Damon Worsley.

Oh dear! This could not only have been a good birthday present for Ollie R, but was also a lost chance to continue a very good run. In the end Hollingworth did not match Hyde's grit and drive to come out on top however. In fact, aside from the score (last year we lost 2-1 in this fixture), the report could amount to the same as last year. Supporters and coaches said it should have been 3-3, but the league table says otherwise.

Hyde's pitch is small, barely big enough for U 11's let alone U 13's and the grass could have done with a good cut, but, as always, it was the same for both teams. In the end Hyde took their chances and dealt with the shortcomings better than us.

We started brightly enough, trying to avoid a congested midfield and spreading the ball wide, particularly to Damon who started well, always looking dangerous and worrying the Hyde left back constantly. His ability told a few times when fed by Ryan from right back and Adam from Mid, with some dangerous balls being put in. When going forward Sam  & Thommo worked well, with the defence put under pressure by our midfield. The same trick worked well for Hyde however, with our defence caught flatfooted a couple of times and only just getting out of it with some poor finishing or good challenges from Ollie and Liam at the back.

We continued to try and work the ball around, despite the limitations of the pitch, and eventually an attack on the Hyde goal saw a corner to us. Adam floated it in and Liam rose to nod home. Good goal, 1-0. Hyde then came back at us, the ball to & fro between both sides. Our defence then got caught square, a ball over the top, a debatable offside player & then 1-1. Hyde then enjoyed a period of possession which saw us defending deep a few times. We continued to launch attacks however, one of which resulted in a well taken goal by Damon, and others which could have been realised by some better finishing. The end result was half time realised by us being 2-1 up, which could so easily have been 4 or 5.

Hyde started the 2nd with purpose, our midfield non existent at times, despite the small area they had to work in. When we spread play wide, we looked good, when we tried to go through the middle we looked poor, particularly when we lost the ball and their was no decent resolve to get it back. Hyde's constant pressure on us eventually realised a deserved goal. Again, too many players ball watching and not taking responsibility
and the inevitable happened with Hyde equalizing. Good goal, poor team play by us. Even worse, was that Tom hurt his ankle trying to stop it going in.

Hyde continued to dominate midfield, a switch in players positions still not realising anything for us. Luke came on for Damon, Lewis for Alex. No criticism of any subs who all played well when they came on, just that by now Hyde had the momentum and we just looked 2nd best to most challenges. This was confirmed when we let in a 3rd goal from a Hyde attack which could have been broken down by 2 or 3 of our players prior to it being finished very well by Hyde, despite having to beat 2 defenders and our goalkeeper. 

Too little too late, when in an exciting finish to the game, for the last 7 or so minutes, we launched several attacks on the Hyde goal, none of which saw what we wanted with both the Hyde defence being resolute, and our finishing not quite there in the end.

A shame we lost this one. No need for panic, but definitely some self reflection required in ensuring that we keep organised, work together and learn from mistakes made. Never mind lads, you've all got enough quality to do much better next week!

M of M- Damon Worsley



Home vs Mountfield Rovers 11/10/09 Won 7-1

TEAM: Tom, Luke, Jake, Ollie, Liam, Alex, Adam, Chucky, Damon, Thommo, Sam, Subs: Ryan,  Lewis, Matt Logan

Luke Mettrick (3) Damon Worsley (2) Alex Barnsley (1) Adam Radcliffe (1)

This game was played at Cemetery Road, Glossop, not our usual home pitch. Glossop always has its own weather but this was daft at times! The fact that we were on top of a hill, in the middle of several cloudbursts during the game meant that the game was potentially going to be a messy affair and affect the football by both teams.

Thankfully, the grim weather did not mean a grim game of football which was excellent to watch. Both teams started with intent, the midfield players from both teams battling for early dominance. Hollingworth started to shade the play after 10 minutes, and by the 16th, this was realised in a goal by Luke Mettrick, when a ball was played through the Mountfield defence and  seized on and finished by Luke, whilst under pressure from a defender, with aplomb. Mountfield soon came back however, and a nice piece of football saw their striker finish with quality to make it 1-1.

Hollingworth did not let this affect their game ( as in past years), and soon Hollingworth were driving forward again. The defence, having been changed due to an injury to Liam, and with both Olivers at centre half positions, played outstandingly. Every Mountfield effort seemed to find either Oliver just waiting to calmly meet the ball, and distribute the ball well to our advantage. A free kick was then won just inside the Mountfield half when Alex Barnsley was brought down from behind. Adam stepped up to take it, and a well struck shot dipped into the keeper who could not hold it and which came out of his hands and into the goal for us to go in 2-1 at half time.

The 2nd half started much as the first, but again, Hollingworth started to win the midfield and put more and more pressure on the Mountfield defence. The inevitable happened when two goals ere scored in quick succession by Luke with some very nifty forward play in waiting for his chance to fall, and Damon from a penalty won as he was caught from behind as he moved into the Mountfield area.
 
By the 4th goal, this then relaxed Hollingworth and they started to pass the ball with a positive intent. We started to find more and more space in which to play and were playing some very good passing football. The lads are always asked to play to feet and on the ground, and this ethos was followed passionately. By the end of the game, Hollingworth had won 7-1 with Luke bagging a third ( 3 more chances went begging....MOOOO!!), and with two well taken goals by Damon for a brace ( a lovely goal scored by advancing into the penalty area from the right and a lovely shot into the far corner over the keeper), and a thunderous grasscutter shot by Alex which the keeper could only try and get a leg to, but with no luck.

Based on overall play, and certainly the second half, we deserved to win this game. The lads enjoyed themselves no end, and won well by playing good, simple football. Being that it was an outstanding team effort, it was decided that evryone should be men of the match due to all of the performances adding to the whole.

Well done lads, an excellent display.

M of M ( the whole team!!)




Away vs Apollo Juniors Hawks 18/10/09 ( Stockport Metro League Cup) Won 9-0

Team: Tom, Ryan, Jake, Olliver Roberts, Thommo, Damon, Alex, Adam, Chucky, Dylan, Sam     Subs:Matt , Joseph, Liam

Scorers: Damon (3), Sam (2), Chucky (2), Alex, Adam


Hollingworth were simply too powerful and slick in all positions for Apollo, who did their best to compete, but were unable to match the football served up by us. The game started with attack after attack by our lads who could, perhaps should, have been 4-0 after 10 minutes. The midfield took early control, Alex again impressive in winning and distributing the ball to the wings, the defence soaking up any efforts by Apollo with some good passing out to midfield.  Oliver R & Jake looked very composed and played several intelligent balls forward to set up new attacks, Thommo cutting out Apollo players with some good intercepts and Matt Logan starting brightly after coming on as an early sub for Ryan (ankle injury) The attack, backed up strongly by midield and involving Sam & Dylan looked threatening. Dylan had two early chances to score but dragged one shot wide, and played the other too near the keeper and was left frustrated.

The rest of the half saw constant pressure by Hollingworth. Chucky opened the score with a lovely goal, thundered past the keeper after a through pass from Sam. Minutes later, Hollingworth won a free kick outside the area, Adam stepped up and struck a low ball into the Apollo area. Inexplicably, the ball travelled past players of both sides with no one touching it, and it went into the far corner. Damon (2) & Sam added to the score to make it 5-0 by half time, Sam with a poachers goal after his header had struck the post, Damon with two well taken goals which had resulted from some lovely passing and team play from several players, and then two determined runs into the area which ended up in well struck shots giving the keeper no chance.

The second half saw more of the same with us putting the foot down further. Although Apollo did have several opportunities to claw back some pride, Hollingworth defended in numbers when necessary to keep the clean sheet. When needed, Tom was as reliable as ever in goal, coming off his line well, and taking up good positions to get behind any long ball efforts and clearing back into open play for us.

All four second half goals for Hollingworth resulted from intelligent passing and teamwork, the pick of them being both Chucky's and Damon's goals. Adam played a sideways ball to Sam, who then threaded it to Matt.  Matt turned the defender with a lovely piece of skill, advanced into the Apollo area and hammered it past the keeper. Damon's resulted from a diagonal ball played over by Alex to Sam on the opposite side of the area, Sam hit an instant ball back over the heads of the Apollo defence which Damon then struck in at the far post. Sam & Alex  also added to the scoreline to make it 9-0 at the finish, again with well taken goals which resulted from excellent team play. Commiserations to Oliver Roberts for an apparently goalbound effort which Sam then stuck his foot out to knock in, but unfortunately he was offside!

Second half substitutions were Joseph for Dylan, and Liam for Adam. Both lads added to the mix and looked to get involved immediately. Both played well, both positive about adding to the attacking football demonstrated throughout the game 

As last week, it was such a good display of passing and quality football, that the whole team were given the man of the match award. It really is wonderful to watch the good football being played by all the lads at present.

M of M (the whole team!!!!)



Home vs Stockport Vikings 01/11/09 M/cr County Cup  Lost 3-1

Team: Tom, Ryan, Jake, Ollie, Thommo, Chucky, Alex, Adam, Damon, Sam, Dylan,  Subs: Liam, Matt Logan, Joseph Forde

Goalscorer: Alex

Hmmmmm!

A bad day at the office today. The day started badly enough with a wait to find out if we could actually play due to the Longy pitches being waterlogged after heavy rain. Eventually we ended up on the Organ pitch, not the best of surfaces and with its fair share of water too, as well as a strong swirling wind. No excuses here though, Vikings also had to play on it. Without an injured Luke, the side had to ensure that they played as a unit today and took their chances when they arrived.

We seemed to start brightly enough, not easy to control the ball, and scrappy in midfield, but all the same, some attacking intent shown by the team. Alex had his usual game, very strong in the tackle and some good attacking runs onto the Vikings penalty area. Chucky had an early chance which he sliced wide of the goal, but overall, the opportunities created were wasted by the forwards....the story of the game as it turned out.

The defence dealt well enough with any moves by Vikings, and I cannot recall Tom having to make a save. Thommo and Oliver were well organised, and Jake at left back, played to the high standards he has consistently shown this season.

One attack did result in a goal however when Sam took control of the ball, turned the defender and laid it back to the edge of the area for Alex to make a strong run onto.He hit it with some power into the far right corner of the net, the Vikings keeper reaching out despairingly but the shot was hit much too hard for him to have a chance. 1-0 at half time.

The lads came out for the 2nd half, having been told that the game was theirs for the taking if an early goal could be gained. Despite some early attacks by us, the next 3 goals went to Vikings. The first was a shot from just inside the halfway line. the wind carried it further than it would normally have done, but Tom was too far off his line to be able to get behind the ball. 1-1.

The goal gave Vikings added confidence, but all the same, we continued to have the majority possession, with numerous attacks coming to nothing. Chucky had a particularly good second half down the left, sending numerous crosses and passes into the area, only for them to come to nothing when no Hollingworth player attacked them. All the Hollingworth front players missed opportunities that would, should, have normally been ripping out the back of the net. Not today however. It looked like we wouldn't have scored in a month of sundays. The lack of shooting form was not helped by the fact that the commitment to actually get in the area to meet the ball was lacking at times. YOU KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED LADS!!

Liam came on as a sub for Adam, and did have a good chance to put us ahead but it went wide. However, Vikings started to build in strength and the sucker punch could be seen a mile off. Both second & third goals were realised through determined effort by Vikings, and some woeful defending by Hollingworth. Least said, the better, but again: YOU KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED LADS!!

We finished a little crestfallen with this one. A game which should have been won, was lost due to some poor finishing & lack of effort in their half, and some basic errors in our own. Well done to Vikings however, it would be unfair not to complement the effort they made in this game, and the desire shown by their players to take the goal chances that fell for them.

We need a much stronger display next week lads. We need to convert the chances when we get them. Lets move on from this one and get back to the football I know you can play.


Home vs Bramhall North 15/11/09 Metro League. Won 5-0

Team: Tom, Ryan, Jake, Ollie, Thommo, Chucky, Alex, Liam, Dylan, Sam, Adam, Sub: Joseph (dnp)

After last weeks cancelled game due to awful weather, the lads (and coaches) were well up for this game in order to make amends for our last game.

With several players not able to play today, the team had a bit of a change with Adam & Sam playing up front & Liam dropping in to midfield. From the kick off, we started to work the ball forward, albeit Bramhalls midfield & defence putting up a spirited fight against the lads. A couple of half chances were not converted for us, Bramhall showed their own intent with an attack which saw no result, and we then seized the game.

Our defence worked together excellently to deny Bramhall any real chance, Oliver making some superbly timed tackles to break down Bramhall. Thommo complemented Ollie's outstanding work and was always there to move any loose balls forward intelligently. Both players had to show some real character at times against the Bramhall forwards who were not afraid to show their physical side. As well as the two centre halves, both Jake & Ryan made some timely interceptions, always looking to move the ball forward when the chance came. Tom, though not having a great deal to do, was always there to stop any further danger when needed.

Our midfield took a bit of time to get the speed of the game, but both Alex & Chucky started to see a lot of the ball, attacking with intent whenever able. Our first goal came via an excellent long ball over the top of the defence by Jake, Sam ran onto it as the keeper came out, Sam getting there first and then took it well, flicking it over the keeper and in the net.

Shortly after this, Sam had a chance for a second, but kicked the ground rather than the ball! Alex, as often the case, then settled any nerves by hitting a sweetly timed strike which rocketed in giving the keeper no chance.

Second half saw some early attacking by Bramhall, but offside infringements saw no result for them. We continued to attack constantly, Liam coming into the game more as the half developed. One of these attacks saw a ball received on the right by Dylan. He pushed into the area, beat his man and then struck a low shot across the front of goal which hit the keeper and in. The excellent determination shown by Dylan saw us at 3-0.

Adam then put us 4-0 up with a lovely individual goal. He received the ball at the edge of the Bramhall area and then went on a mazy run, beating several players, including the keeper, before slotting the ball home, willed on by us from the side, as it appeared that at any moment a Bramhall tackle would succeed. Adam looked like he would have done the run twice over given the chance, I'm glad he did it once!

The final goal came from a lovely piece of football. Jake interecpted a Bramhall pass, stopping it dead, taking his time and then playing the ball over the top of the defence, again for Sam to run on to, as Chucky made a dummy run which took two of their players out of the game. Sam seized on the ball, pushed it forward and as the keeper came out, placed his shot to the keepers right and in to the far corner. 5-0 to Hollingworth.

The game finished with Hollingworth still looking strong and Bramhall out of ideas. All the lads were commended on some excellent football and teamplay which definately swept away any cobwebs from our last game. It was again difficult to identify any one player as MOM, with everyone contributing to the win with some excellent support for each other, and well taken goals. 

In the end, the defence, including Tom, were given the MOM award for some outstanding work. mention should also go go for Joseph, named as sub, who did not get to play due to an injury during his warm-up.

Very well done lads. A good game to watch.