Saturday, 16 April 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 8 Mossley Juniors B 0
The Piranhas reserved their best performance for the last league game of the season. Oliver Stonehouse opened the Piranhas’ account with a fierce drive. The lead was quickly doubled when Alex Friend pounced on confusion in the opposition defence by volleying home.

Oliver Parker almost scored with a long-range shot before Ben Gove added a third with a good finish through a crowded penalty area. Oliver Stonehouse increased the lead just before half-time following good work by Alex Friend. The second half began with Ben Gove making it five after Joe Aspden slotted a pass to him.

Ethan Tomlinson moved up from the back to fire in a couple snap shots. At the other end, Will Winbow produced a fantastic save to deny a fine effort by Mossley. Freddie Rimmer then ran through the opposition defence before crashing a shot home the Piranhas’ sixth. He then repeated the trick twice more to complete his hat-trick. The way the Piranhas passed and moved was the most pleasing element of the their performance.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Mossley Juniors A 1

Straight from the kick-off, Max Fitzgerald missed a golden chance to take the lead after a passing movement involving Toby Newton and Will Valentine. A couple of minutes later, the same three plays fashioned a chance for Will Valentine who blazed wide. The pattern of the match was set.

The Sharks continued to dominate the game as Toby Newton hit the post and Kieran Coggin shot over the bar. Mossley on a rare foray scored from a corner despite Josh Ward’s best efforts. At the start second half, Will Valentine failed to score after two through balls by Johnny Gabriel and a long throw in by Kieran Coggin.

Will Valentine then hit a post and Johnny Gabriel fired the rebound wide. The Sharks almost equalised when a Will Valentine cross just eluded Toby Newton and Jonny Gabriel. Toby Newton just missed when the goalkeeper was out of position. Max Fitzgerald was denied by the Mossley goalkeeper at the death. The Sharks should have won perhaps, but a hard-working Mossley earned the final result through their ceaseless endeavours.

Saturay, 9 April 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 2 Dukinfield Youth B 4
A makeshift Piranhas’ team were on the back foot from the start as they conceded straight from the kick-off. They responded with plenty of spirit and only an excellent brilliant defensive tackle prevented Ben Gove from scoring. Somewhat against the run of play, Ben Gove equalised when he sped on to a Johnny Gabriel pass.

Dukinfield re-took the lead when a brilliant Will Winbow save rebounded straight to a Dukinfield forward. The Piranhas’ response was a passing move involving Johnny Gabriel, Ethan Tomlinson and Joe Aspden. The second half began with Dukinfield registering again through a fine strike. Will Winbow prevented further damage with an excellent stop.

The Piranhas never stopped working with Ethan Tomlinson and Alex Friend making important tackles. Glossop thoroughly deserved their reward when Ben Gove pulled a goal back. unfortunately, Dukinfield restored their two-goal advantage shortly afterwards. To their credit, the match ended with the Piranhas forcing a series of corners.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Dukinfield Youth A 0

The Sharks did well to resist early Dukinfield pressure. Oliver Stonehouse put in a great tackle to prevent a shot on goal. Oliver Stonehouse and Freddy Rimmer then almost fashioned a goal for the Sharks. Teddy Fantom made a great block to deny Dukinfield while Kieran Coggin was resolute in defence as their opponents became frustrated.

The game was now end to end. Josh Ward came out bravely to save the ball while Max Fitzgerald was only just foiled in an attempt to take the lead. Dukinfield should have gone ahead as the match approached half-time. The Sharks thoroughly deserved to turn around on level terms after their battling performance.

Yet more excellent covering tackles and blocks from Oliver Stonehouse and Teddy Fantom prevented the Sharks going a goal down. Max Fitzgerald blazed over when put through. Freddy Rimmer almost squeezed the ball home following a determined dribble along the right wing past two opponents. Teddy Fantom almost snatched victory for the Sharks when his long range shot bounced over the keeper and hit the post.

Saturday, 2 April 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 0 Reddish Villa B 1
Not for the first time, the Piranhas fought out a close match with Reddish Villa. Good work by Oliver Parker led to Oliver Stonehouse testing the goalkeeper with a long-range shot. The Piranhas almost took the lead when a Ben Gove corner led to the goalkeeper playing a one-two off the post.

Reddish Villa scored just before half-time after the interception of a pass from the back. Will Winbow had no chance with the shot into the corner of the net. The Piranhas continued to more than match their opponents at the start of the second half. Oliver Stonehouse beat three defenders in a long dribble before shooting over the bar. Oliver Parker and Oliver Stonehouse combined once more to force another save from the Villa keeper.

A left-footed shot by Alex Friend forced more work from the Reddish goalkeeper and Teddy Fantom was denied by a goal-line clearance. Reddish Villa were reduced to breakaways. The match ended with the Piranhas forcing a series of corners and a several scrambles in their opponent’s penalty area as they pressed for the equaliser. Goalkeeper Will Winbow only had two saves to make. which summed up the general balance of play.

Glossop U8 Sharks 1 Reddish Villa A 4
The Sharks played a lot better than the result suggests. Early on, Toby Newton forced a save from the goalkeeper. Ethan Tomlinson narrowly failed to connect with a Will Valentine cross. Reddish Villa hit the post before Toby Newton delicately lobbed the goalkeeper only to see the ball just go over the bar. Reddish Villa took the lead when a well-struck free kick found the corner of the net. The lead was doubled shortly afterwards.

After a brilliant pass by Toby Newton, Ethan Tomlinson was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Glossop player was prevented from shooting by a cynical trip from behind. At the start of second half, a fantastic save by Josh Ward kept out a shot heading for the top corner. The Sharks then produced the move of the match as the ball was shuttled quickly from Kieran Coggin, Max Fitzgerald, Toby Newton to Will Valentine. His cross was turned into his own net by a Reddish Villa defender.

As the Shark’s searched for the equaliser, a Toby Newton pass broke off the referee to a Reddish Villa player which immediately led to them extending their lead. The Sharks were unlucky to concede once more before the final whistle. Their luck was summed up when a long-range shot from Kieran Coggin flicked the outside of the post instead of finding the corner of the net in the last minute.

Saturday, 19 March 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 1 Denton Youth B 0
The final score line failed to do justice to the Piranhas’ performance. Early, on, Oliver Stonehouse played a one-two with Oliver Parker and reduced the Denton goalkeeper to the role of a spectator when his shot crashed off the bar. Ben Gove was close to opening the score from a corner. Alex Friend released Oliver Stonehouse with an excellent touch on the wing before Denton blocked his shot on goal.

Teddy Fantom ensured very few Denton forwards got a sight of goal so they were reduced to long-range shooting while Will Winbow easily dealt with the few shots which were on target. At the end of the first half Oliver Stonehouse almost scored following good work from Teddy Fantom and Alex Friend.

The Piranhas continued to hold the upper in the second half as Ben Gove, Freddie Rimmer and Oliver Stonehouse had further attempts on goal. Eventually the Denton Youth defence buckled as Freddie Rimmer scored following good work from Oliver Parker. Freddie Rimmer nearly doubled his tally as he flicked an Oliver Parker corner just wide.

Glossop U8 Sharks 3 Denton Youth A 2
The Sharks should have won by more than a single goal. The Sharks almost took the lead in the first minute. They did not have to wait long as Kieran Coggins and Toby Newton combined to pass the ball to Will Valentine whose shot arrowed in to the top corner. Another Toby Newton pass led to Will Valentine hitting the outside of the post.

In defence, Max Fitzgerald showed persistence and determination in the tackle while Billy Draper patrolled the left wing. The Sharks doubled their lead when the Denton goalkeeper could only parry a Will Valentine shot into the net. Kieran Coggins, Toby Newton and Max Fitzgerald all had more attempts on goal before half-time as the Sharks tried to press home their advantage.

Kieran Coggins forced a good save from the Denton keeper immediately after the turnaround. Johnny Gabriel snuffed out a Denton attack by excellent tracking back. Denton Youth did score when a throw-in was headed past Josh Ward. The Sharks response was to restore their two-goal advantage as Will Valentine completed his hat-trick. The Sharks conceded once more when Denton scored despite an excellent initial block by Josh Ward. Both Johnny Gabriel and Will Valentine made tackles to prevent Denton scoring an undeserved equaliser.

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 5 March 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 0 Reddish Villa U8 B 0
The Piranhas and their opponents played out a highly entertaining draw. Both teams had chances to win and both teams were unlucky not to register a score. Early on Ben Gove and Oliver Parker combined to trouble the Villa back line. A flowing passing move involving Teddy Fantom and Oliver Stonehouse ended with Alex Friend narrowly failing to put in Ben Gove. Shortly afterwards the Villa goalkeeper touched an Alex Friend lob on to the bar.

At the other end, a combination of Will Winbow saves and the frame of the goal denied Reddish Villa. This only galvanised the Piranhas into further quality football with Alex Friend setting up Oliver Parker whose shot was blocked. Oliver Stonehouse then dribbled down the right wing but his shot was off target.

At the other end, Reddish struck the bar twice more. Teddy Fantom made a string of strong tackles. Reddish Villa were only prevented from taking the lead by a fantastic save from Will Winbow. The Piranhas midfield of Oliver Parker, Oliver Stonehouse and Ben Gove never stopped working very hard to ensure that there was always plenty of blue shirts at either end of the pitch. At the death, Alex Friend just pushed a rebound from the keeper the wrong side of the post.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Reddish Villa U8 A 2
Kieran Coggins almost caught out the Reddish Villa goalkeeper with a long-range shot after receiving the kick-off. As the Sharks were trying to establish their passing game, Josh Ward was given no chance by a fine finish. Kieran Coggins was wide with another long-range shot and a Will Valentine dribble down the right wing came to nothing.

Ethan Tomlinson competently dealt with Villa attacks at the back and then followed up his calm defending by always trying to pass the ball out of defence. The Sharks stepped up their attempts to equalise but a good corner by Will Valentine across the Villa penalty area and a shot on the turn by Max Fitzgerald brought no reward. Reddish Villa doubled their lead just before half-time with a move similar to the one which led to their first goal. There was still time before the break for the Villa keeper to save a Will Valentine free-kick.

Early in the second-half Johnny Gabriel released Toby Newton but the Reddish Villa defence held. Good pressure led to Kieran Coggins shooting over the bar, while a Max Fitzgerald shot on was stopped on the line and Toby Newton’s shot on the turn was saved. The Reddish goalkeeper then saved a free kick from Will Valentine which was headed for the top corner. The Sharks realised it was not going to be their day when a passing move from Toby Newton to Max Fitzgerald via Johnny Gabriel and a flick from Toby Newton did not lead to a goal. Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 5 March 2011

Glossop U8 Piranhas 0 Reddish Villa U8 B 0
The Piranhas and their opponents played out a highly entertaining draw. Both teams had chances to win and both teams were unlucky not to register a score. Early on Ben Gove and Oliver Parker combined to trouble the Villa back line. A flowing passing move involving Teddy Fantom and Oliver Stonehouse ended with Alex Friend narrowly failing to put in Ben Gove. Shortly afterwards the Villa goalkeeper touched an Alex Friend lob on to the bar.

At the other end, a combination of Will Winbow saves and the frame of the goal denied Reddish Villa. This only galvanised the Piranhas into further quality football with Alex Friend setting up Oliver Parker whose shot was blocked. Oliver Stonehouse then dribbled down the right wing but his shot was off target.

At the other end, Reddish struck the bar twice more. Teddy Fantom made a string of strong tackles. Reddish Villa were only prevented from taking the lead by a fantastic save from Will Winbow. The Piranhas midfield of Oliver Parker, Oliver Stonehouse and Ben Gove never stopped working very hard to ensure that there was always plenty of blue shirts at either end of the pitch. At the death, Alex Friend just pushed a rebound from the keeper the wrong side of the post.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Reddish Villa U8 A 2
Kieran Coggins almost caught out the Reddish Villa goalkeeper with a long-range shot after receiving the kick-off. As the Sharks were trying to establish their passing game, Josh Ward was given no chance by a fine finish. Kieran Coggins was wide with another long-range shot and a Will Valentine dribble down the right wing came to nothing.

Ethan Tomlinson competently dealt with Villa attacks at the back and then followed up his calm defending by always trying to pass the ball out of defence. The Sharks stepped up their attempts to equalise but a good corner by Will Valentine across the Villa penalty area and a shot on the turn by Max Fitzgerald brought no reward. Reddish Villa doubled their lead just before half-time with a move similar to the one which led to their first goal. There was still time before the break for the Villa keeper to save a Will Valentine free-kick.

Early in the second-half Johnny Gabriel released Toby Newton but the Reddish Villa defence held. Good pressure led to Kieran Coggins shooting over the bar, while a Max Fitzgerald shot on was stopped on the line and Toby Newton’s shot on the turn was saved. The Reddish goalkeeper then saved a free kick from Will Valentine which was headed for the top corner. The Sharks realised it was not going to be their day when a passing move from Toby Newton to Max Fitzgerald via Johnny Gabriel and a flick from Toby Newton did not lead to a goal.

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 26 February 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 1 Reddish Vulcans U8 B 5
Piranhas spent most of the first half resisting attacks from resolute and street wise opponents. Josh Ward was his usual excellent self as he provided a series of fine stops to deny the Vulcans. Teddy Fantom stood firm at the back while Oliver Parker worked very hard in midfield.

Joe Aspden almost released Oliver Parker. In a further break, the Piranhas scored against the run of play. Alex Friend worked the ball to Oliver Parker who fed Ben Gove who controlled the ball before drilling a left shot into the corner of the net. The Vulcans equalised on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, the Piranhas continued to work hard and tried to play football despite conceding a couple of early goals. Despite their best efforts, the Vulcans added two further goals to give the final result a rather harsh look.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Reddish Vulcans U8 A 7
The Sharks never recovered from a nightmarish start as they conceded twice in the first couple of minutes. They did however try to pass the ball and on one occasion Johnny Gibson was released. It took an excellent save from the keeper to deny him. Shortly afterwards, Oliver Stonehouse nearly broke through in the right wing.

In defence, Kieran Coggins attempted to stem the flow of Vulcan attack while Josh Ward was working overtime to keep out the attempts on his goal. Despite their best efforts, the Vulcans struck once more before the interval.

The pattern of Vulcan domination continued after the resumption of play. Despite the Sharks continuing to close down their opponents, the Vulcans scored four more goals in the second half.

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 12 February 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 1 3D Dynamos U8 B 4
The Piranhas were nip and tuck with their opponents in the early stages of their match. Oliver Parker was wide with a shot and Ben Gove just failed to get on the end of a through ball from Alex Friend. In defence Oliver Stonehouse made several strong tackles.

The Piranhas took the lead when Oliver Parker forced home an Alex Friend corner . Both Ben Gove and Oliver Stone narrowly failed to extend the Piranhas lead.

Immediately after the resumption, 3D Dynamos were denied by a combination of Will Winbow and Oliver Parker. It only delayed the inevitable as the Piranhas conceded twice in a couple of minutes. Too often Will Winbow and Oliver Parker were the left on their own and it was no surprise when 3D Dynamos struck twice more.

Glossop U8 Sharks 1 3D Dynamos U8 A 1
The Sharks set out their stall from the outset by neatly passing the ball. A shot by Max Fitzgerald was blocked while Toby Newton just missed from a pass by Max Fitzgerald. On the rare occasions 3D dynamos got past Ethan Tomlinson, Josh Ward produced a save.

The Sharks maintained the pressure at the start of the second half. Will Valentine showed determination before his shot was blocked while Toby Newton was off-target with a snap shot. Johnny Gabriel almost made the breakthrough after a long dribble through the opponent’s defence. Desperate defending saw a Max Fitzgerald effort cleared off the line and he almost netted from a fumble by the goalkeeper. Toby Newton was prevented from scoring by a last-ditch tackle and Will Valentine was tackled on the point of shooting.

Totally against the run of play, 3D broke up the other end and scored. The Sharks’ response was to return down the other end in search of the equaliser. Following good work by Will Valentine, Johnny Gabriel was denied by the keeper who also saved another shot by Max Fitzgerald. Eventually the Sharks got their just reward when Johnny Gabriel calmly side-footed home from a tight angle.

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 5 February 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 2 Reddish Villa U8 B 1
The Piranhas weathered an early storm as Reddish Villa started the better. Gradually the Piranhas worked their into the game with Ben Gove to the fore on the left wing and Oliver Parker excelling on the other flank. The Piranhas took the lead after fine work by Alex Friend before he passed to Oliver Stonehouse who dribbled past the last defender and fired home. Oliver Stonehouse quickly doubled the lead with a fierce shot from a narrow angle.

The Piranhas should have been three or four up at half-time. They were, however, unable to extend their lead despite shots from by Oliver Parker, Alex Friend and Ben Gove. Reddish Villa started the second half determined to reduce the deficit. They were held at bay by Teddy Fantom’s stout defending and Will Winbow’s solid goalkeeping.

The Reddish Villa pressure eventually told when they halved their arrears. As they pressed for the equaliser, Teddy Fantom continued to shine in defence and Will Winbow produced a series of superb saves. Freddy Rimmer and Oliver Parker helped relieved the pressure on the defence. By the end of the match, the Piranhas looked more likely to score than concede again.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Reddish Villa U8 A 3
The Sharks started the game confidently. Only excellent defending from Reddish Villa prevented Toby Newton from giving the Sharks an early lead. At the back, Josh Ward was coolness personified when he allowed a hopeful clearance to bounce on to the frame of his goal before calmly collecting the rebound.

Both Ethan Tomlinson and Kieran Coggins were enthusiastic when tackling their opponents. Reddish Villa took the lead when their best player dribbled past a couple of Sharks before scoring with an unstoppable shot. An excellent short corner routine by Will Valentine and Max Fitzgerald almost led to the latter scoring.

In the second half, the Sharks pressed hard to level the scores with Johnny Gabriel and Toby Newton working hard. The Sharks’ efforts were undone by a couple of defensive lapses which allowed Reddish to add to their tally twice more. Kieran Coggins and Max Fitzgerald were always available as the Sharks tried to play the ball out from the back. Despite their best efforts, the Sharks were unable to register a score.