SMJFL - Division 1 - Under 15's Sunday 7th March 2004 Venue: Home

Hazel Grove U 15's	6 - 0	Bramhall North
E.Clegg(4), L.Sissons, G.Wood

Eric’s got his shooting boots back. Another very good team performance this morning backed up with some quality goals keeps the boys on track for an exciting and hopefully successful end to the season.

Right from the start of this morning’s game it looked as though all the lads had their full concentration on the task in hand as they took immediate command of the proceedings. After 12 minutes Eric, who had been finding goals a little tough to find recently opened the scoring with a spectacular left foot drive from 18 yards after beating off the challenge of two defenders. This was the positive start we were hoping for and it gave Eric a terrific confidence boost. The lads started to play solid controlled football down both flanks and more pleasingly down the middle of the park where Luke and Eric caused Bramhall a lot of trouble. The second goal came on 20 minutes when a good old fashioned high ball down the middle bounced over the Bramhall defence and Gary Wood headed over the advancing keeper. Shortly after this Eric went on a solo run down the left and crossed the ball deep into the area where it was met by Luke who touched it home from six yards. Whilst Bramhall were very quick on the break the Grove defence handled everything they threw at them comfortably. Apart from a couple of well taken crosses Matt had nothing to do in the first half.

Grove relaxed into the second half and began to play some of their best football for a long time. In the middle of the park Gaz Wood and Marcus were winning everything and Babba and Andy Mac gave great width to the numerous attacks. More goals were bound to come if we just kept patient and indeed they did. Eric hit a second half hat-trick to take the score to six. His first of the half came after good work on the left by Andy Mac sent him into the area and he placed a fine shot low to the keepers left. The next goal was a lovely set up from Luke who chested the ball to Eric and he shot low past the keeper on his right side this time. The third goal of the half was again thanks to some excellent hold up play and a fine pass from Luke which allowed Eric to beat his marker and shoot low again into the keepers left hand post.

All in all a very good team performance with all the lads now encouraging and helping each other. This victory keeps our hopes alive but if we’re being honest the opposition today seemed weak in comparison to the teams we have still to play. I can’t remember them having a single shot on goal.

(Match reporter: Rob Hawthorne)