Poynton A  ‘v’ Norbury Athletic.

Date: 20 October 2007.

Report: Poynton ‘v’ Norbury Athletic.

Poynton  travelled to the  Norbury Athletic ground on another sunny afternoon to play the bottom placed Norbury Athletic side. A perfect pitch welcomed both sides  with not a breeze to be had .

The  match kicked off and both sides were intent on being competitive. However, Bell put the visiting side 1 . 0 up within the first five minutes with a well taken shot. But any thought of an easy  game for the Poynton  high flyers was soon put to rest by a  very well organised Norbury Athletic side who immediately got down to business marking up well.

The game restarted and a period of  hotly contested football started .The Poynton back four  continuing to work well ,Kemp and Campbell both making some good challenges, Poynton continued to work hard and Captain Simpson  soon began to win possession feeding the ball well to his team mates Paisley and Tweedy.

Simpson’s hard work soon converted into results when he won a tackle and made an inch perfect pass to Potter on the right, whom in turn passed through to Kelly who narrowly missed putting  Poynton two up. It was obvious that the forwards were going to have to be on top form to get past the Norbury disciplined backs

Hulme continues to improve and made some intelligent plays of his own, passing the ball well on the left. Norbury continued to battle well but after a momentary  loss of concentration by Poynton saw the home side advance into the Poynton penalty area  where Keeper Wadsworth without any thought for himself dived at the feet of the attacker foiling a certain goal.
Norbury  started a good ten minute spell before the half time whistle but ,Bell ran into space and got his second of the half against the flow of play it was 2.0 to Poynton.

The second half started and a period of  scrappy play ensued with the boy’s failing to find their rhythm The quick decisive passing of recent matches seemed to have vanished. Martin who was as committed as ever however picked up a groin strain, and Alex came on in his place, his fresh legs made a difference in the midfield and the tide began to turn in the boys favour.
The boys started to play the ball on the ground  and some good passing returned, Poynton looking much better for it.

At this stage Alex- having won the ball around the halfway line- made a well placed cross into the opposition penalty area where Simpson slammed the ball away for Poynton’s third. This was followed up by another inch perfect cross from the same area this time by the ever reliable Paisley, leading to Kelly narrowly heading wide. This was a good period for the Poynton side and Simpson having won the ball went for goal from outside the Norbury area forcing the home keeper to make an good attempt to save, but  he couldn’t hold the ball and it deflected into the path of Bell whom obliged with Poynton’s  fourth and his hat trick.

But to Norbury’s credit they came back into the game And got a well deserved consolation goal ,a shot that was well placed giving the Poynton keeper no chance it was 4.1.
Having won a free kick a good twenty five yards out ,Kelly took the responsibility and again narrowly missed scoring forcing another good save from the Norbury keeper.

The game ended with the boys  starting to play some good football ,and I am sure they would like to say ‘well done’ to the Norbury side, whom contested well and surely deserve to move up the table

Poynton man of the match   Jack Bell
Norbury’s  Poynton man of the match  Ryan Paisley

Goal Scorers Jack Bell x 3 Olly Simpson x 1