Match Reports - 2009-10 Under 16s

Below is a list of all the match reports that have been done for the under 16's over the course of the 2009-10 season...

8th Nov 2009 Buxton Hawks U16s 2 Darley Dale Juniors U16s 2

Robbed! He should have gone to Specsavers!!

Darley’s rejuvenated squad boosted by a return to fitness of all their players and the recent new signings produced a fantastic performance against Buxton only to see victory cruelly snatched away from them in the last few minutes. From the outset, Darley’s new look line up took a while to settle and Buxton had the better of the possession for the first 10 minutes and took the lead just as Darley were beginning to get the upper hand when a cross from the left sailed into the top corner giving Josh Dabell in the Darley goal no chance.

Despite the setback captain Dan Mountney rallied in his troops and the midfield of Dan Bailey, Jack Garratt, Finn Hanney and Alistair Duncan were now taking control in the centre of the park and tireless running and movement up front by strikers Tom Wilson and debutant Aaron Gadsby was creating space and gaps in the Buxton rearguard. Darley took advantage of their dominance when Garratt burst forward linking up well with Wilson and Gadsby to find the space and time to fire an unstoppable shot past the Buxton keeper to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw Darley well on top and taking the game to the hosts, and with the defence of James Boshier, Sean Allen, Connor Pheasey and Mountney in great form snuffing out all Buxton’s threats, there was only one team in it. As pressure on the Buxton defence grew, half time substitute Connor Simms making an impressive Darley debut on the left wing found Garratt surging forward but his shot came back off the post and fell to the feet of Gadsby whose follow up shot just cleared the Buxton bar. Darley continued to create chances with Wilson, Bailey and Hanney testing the Buxton keeper and finally got their reward when Wilson’s shot was fumbled to the feet of Gadsby who basted home his first Darley goal to make it 2-1 with less than 10 minutes to go.

Substitute Jack Parker now joined the fray and Darley repelled everything Buxton threw at them but with 5 minutes to go Darley were harshly done to when Buxton were awarded a penalty. Karma was restored when the spot kick hit the post and rebounded to safety. Drama over! Not Quite. With less than 3 minutes left Buxton were awarded an even more dubious penalty which even had the Buxton supporters mystified. Darley to their credit took the decision on the chin without complaint and the Buxton captain levelled up the score. Darley had done enough to deserve a win in a game they dominated with some fantastic football but once again lady luck had turned her back on them and they had to settle for a draw in a great game of junior football played in good spirit by both teams.

Well done to everyone, we played some great football at Buxton. Thanks to all the subs who showed great team spirit and support for their team mates throughout.

15th Nov 2009 Darley Dale Juniors U16s 2 Matlock Town Phoenix U16s 7

Darley's home match with Phoenix got off to a bad start when heavy rain throughout Friday night and Saturday morning turned the Whitworth Pitch into a Paddling Pool. With the pitch totally unfit for Sundays match Manager Rob Wilson was left with no option but to offer to reverse the fixture with Matlock who's pitch had despite the weather been deemed playable.

So after frantic reorganisation Darley made the short trip to Cavandish fields for the later 1.00 kick off.Cavandish has never been a happy hunting ground for Darley,And a clash with promotion chasing Phoenix would have suited Darley much more on their own turf

With only one change from the team that excelled at Buxton in the last game,Darley lined up with Josh Dabel in Goal,A back four of Connor Pheasey,Sean Allen,Dan Mountney(Capt) and Connor Simms.A Midfield Quartet of Dan Bailey,Finn Hanney,Jack Garratt, Alistair Duncan and The strikeforce of Tom Wilson And Aaron Gadbsy.

Right from the kick off Darley were tenacious and the dominant team possession wise.But Phoenix are a strong resiliant team who are always difficult to break down.And Despite Darley having the lions share off the possession they could only manage to create a couple of half chances in the first 15 minutes.Having soaked up the pressure Phoenix then hit Darley on the break,And from thier first attack took the lead with a mishit shot that somehow managed to trickle in off the post.And as the inquest into the goal raged in the Darley ranks,Phoenix took the opportunity to Snatch a well taken second goal.

Totally against the run of play Darley found themselves 2 goals down and desperatley needed to regain some control and get back into the game.It was time for Darley players to stand up and be counted,And to thier credit they did just that as they once again started to take the game to Phoenix.With 5 minutes to go until half time Darley got back into the game with a moment of pure class from Bailey.Gaining possesion of the ball just inside the Phoenix half he quickly spotted the keeper well out of his goal,And with a lob Beckham would of been proud of the ball saled into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw the injured Duncan replaced By Simms on the left wing and James Boshier introduced at Left back.Bouyed by the goal late in the first half Darley were probally a little to eager for their own good to go in search of more goals against a Phoenix team who seemed quite happy to soak up the pressure and attack on the break.After 10 minutes Phoenix caught Darley with 2 quickfire goals in 3 minutes both on the breakaway ,Shellshocked Darley now had a mountain to climb.Sub George Elliott now joined the fray for Darley and once again to their credit they got theirselves a foothold back in when Garratt linked well with Wilson and Gadsby and was upended by a rash tackle from a defender.Up stepped Bailey for the free kick to show he can bend it like Beckham too as he curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 4-2,Only for Phoenix to reply within in minutes and make it 5-2

With 10 minutes left and the Darley lads beginning to tire from all their efforts subs Cameron Williams,Jack Parker and Andy Walton replaced Wilson,Gadsby and Boshier.But Darley Could not find any more in the tanks to come back again and with most players running on empty They had no answer to Phoenix's rapid strikers who wrapped up the win with 2 more goals.The Final score of 7-2 is not a true reflection of a game Darley dominated for long periods,But in only their second season together Darley are still a work in progress team and as they gain in experience they will no doubt learn to turn possession into goals and wins

They Should however take heart that having made the step up to Division 2 this season they have not been outclassed.Dan Bailey was named MOM with Pheasey,Simms And Boshier all running him close for the accolade

With a week off this Sunday,Darleys next 2 matches will see them play local rivals Tansley Juniors home and away.A local derby that always produces no holds barred commitment and plenty of goals as both teams seek the win and the bragging rights .

Keywords : darley dale juniors fc Under 16s 2009-10 season