Match Reports - 2009-10 Under 9s Panthers and Pumas

Below is a list of all the match reports that have been done for the under 9's over the course of the 2009-10 season...

17th Oct 2009 Darley Dale Pumas U9 0 ADASC Reds U9 1

Despite a tremendous battling performance Darley went down to the narrowest of margins against title contenders ADASC Reds. ADASC put Darley under pressure from the start with a slick passing game, but they met a strong Puma's defence, with Tom Mayhew and Ben Bayes working tirelessly at the back, helped out by the tracking back of Joe Fitzsimons and Bradley Crarer from midfield. However, they were powerless to stop ADASC's opener, rifled into the roof of the net following a neat move. Darley came back into the game towards the end of the half, with a jinxing run from Leo Warburton and a fine effort from Ryan Crystal.

Darley's half-time re-shuffle started paying dividends - with Bayes and Max Webber rock-solid in defence, the midfield axis of Mayhew, Fitzsimons and Alex Dunsby began to get a grip of the game and started feeding the ever-dangerous Crarer up front. Darley now looked like they might grab an equaliser - Webber went close with one of his trademark free-kicks, Dunsby had a cracking effort saved, whilst a free-flowing move created a great chance for Crarer. A late rally from ADASC relieved the pressure though, and they reached the final whistle without conceding.

Man of the match for Darley was given to Ben Bayes, for a tremendous defensive display.

7th Nov 2009 Darley Dale Juniors Pumas U9 2 CAFA Cougars Orange U9 1

An attacking philosphy, a lucky hat and 2 early contenders for goal of the season were the main ingredients for Darley as they cooked up a well deserved victory over CAFA.

The 1st half was genuine end to end stuff and first blood went to Darley, Joe Fitzsimmons curling home a beauty from the edge of the box. CAFA came storming back though, their dangerous number 10 equalising almost immediately. With Tom Mayhew holding the defence well, Darley pushed forward again, the gifted left foot of Bradley Crarer a constant thorn in the side of CAFA's defence and good movement from Ryan Crystal and Leo Warburton.

Darley kept the pressure up after the break with Max Webber, donning his lucky hat, launching wave after wave of attack down the right flank and Alex Dunsby and Warburton both going close. Darley, encamped in the opposition half, threw everything forward and the CAFA goal led a charmed life.

Just as it looked like Darley would have to settle for a point another foray down the right saw Webber unleash a rocket that nearly took the goalies gloves off. But it wasn't over yet - despite dominating the entire half Darley suddenly found themselves enduring a nervy last few minutes, Matt Swindell and Ben Bayes dealing with a couple of decent CAFA attacks.

Having narrowly lost the previous 2 games this was just deserts for Darley's growing spirit and belief. Man of the match was Ryan Crystal, for a sparkling performance in attack.

21st Nov 2009 Wingerworth Colts U9 5 Darley Dale Pumas U9 2

Darley went out of the cup in tricky conditions at Wingerworth, but it was a closer match than the scoreline suggested.

Wingerworth made the most of their first half headwind and raced into a lead with two great strikes that Matt Swindell could do nothing about. As the half went on Darley came back into things and a slick move involving Leo Warburton, Ryan Crystal and Bradley Crarer resulted in a goalmouth scramble that Alex Dunsby smashed home. Wingerworth surged back, but the slippy conditions suited Darley's defence as Max Webber and Ben Bayes did a series of great sliding tackles to keep them at bay. Just as it looked like Darley had weathered the storm Wingerworth unleashed another thundering strike that arrowed straight into the top corner.

Darley upped the tempo after the break - Tom Mayhew and Bayes cleared well from defence, Webber and Joe Fitzsimons pushed forward in midfield whilst Crarer and Warburton made great runs upfront but the ball just wouldn't break for them. After a long spell of Darley pressure their was cup heartbreak as Wingerworth scored with 2 more incredible top-corner strikes. All credit to the Darley lads though as they got their heads up and played the last 5 minutes in Wingerworth's half. Their efforts were rewarded with the best move of the match as Fitzsimons released Webber down the right, and an inch-perfect cross was finished superbly by Crarer.

Man of the match was Alex Dunsby, for some great work in midfield.

28th Nov 2009 Darley Dale Panthers U9 0 Darley Dale Pumas U9 0

Forget the Merseyside Derby or Spain's "El Clasico", the only rivalry being talked about in houses and playgrounds around Darley last week was the clash between Panthers and Pumas. Everyone went home pretty happy though after a lively encounter finished all-square between 2 well matched teams.

The Panthers started the game brightly with Michael Wright and Scott Taylor lively in midfield, whilst good movement up front from Jack Rose and Kyle Charlton helped force a succession of corners. However, they met a strong Pumas defensive unit, marshalled by Ben Bayes and Max Webber with Joe Fitzsimons, Tom Mayhew and Alex Dunsby all tracking back to help out. Having seen off the early threat it was Panthers turn to defend with Sam Elliott and Harris Dubois doing well to stop a couple of decent runs by Bradley Crarer. A Fitzsimons corner resulted in the best chance of the half, but Jack Coates saved well from Crarer.

The second half started similarly, with Ryan Crystal going close after a fine run and some great defending by Charlie Knowles stopping Leo Warburton. A couple of late saves kept honours even - Coates saved from Crarer whilst opposite number Matt Swindell made a vital point-blank save at the other end to deny Taylor after good work by Jamie Stone.

All the lads were excellent, and the game was played in a great spirit without a single foul, man of the match for the Pumas was Joe Fitzsimons, and for the Panthers Harris Dubois.

Click here for Photos from this match.

12th Dec 2009 Darley Dale Pumas U9 1 Leabrooks U9 3

Darley started the match brightly with a number of dangerous breaks from forwards Bradley Crarer and Leo Warburton, assisted by some decent passes from Joe Fitzsimmons and Ryan Crystal. Despite their early grip on the game, Darley had to call upon Tom Mayhew and Ben Bayes to make a number of great challenges and clearances from defence. Darley pushed on once more but against the run of play Leabrooks broke forward and a swift passing move ended in a cool finish. It was two-nil moments later after another fine Leabrooks finish.

A half-time re-shuffle saw Max Webber come in to bolster the midfield and Alex Dunsby brought on up front. Some great footwork from Dunsby immediately caused problems down the left whilst Webber tried to increase the tempo as Darley fought hard to get back into the game. At the other end Bayes and Mayhew continued to defend doggedly against the lively Leabrooks attack, and goalie Matt Swindell blocked well to keep Darley in the match. Swindell was powerless to stop a long a range effort though as Leabrooks made the game safe with a third.

Fitzsimmons whipped in a great corner that Dunsby got on the end of to reduce the deficit but it came too late to save the Pumas.

A fine performance in defence saw Tom Mayhew named man of the match for Darley.