Girls U14 Panthers |
| Posted by Secretary (secretary) on Apr 21 2008 at 9:07 PM |
Panthers make their mark on the national map- National Tesco Cup- Central England Final's
Well what a day we had on Sunday in Birmingham. It started bright and early with a 6.15am wake up call and an arrival back at 5.30pm but it will be a day that will stick in the memory of all involved for a very long time. The team travelled on the AFC Telford United team coach but quickly turned it into a Panthers Army Coach and with a second coach load of supporters everyone was determined to make this a day to remember on and off the pitch.
We were put into a group containing a team from each of the following County FA's- Linconshire, Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire and the biggest FA in the Country Birmingham- Each team having qualified as the winner of their Tesco County Cup.
This was to be a massive step up for Wrekin Panthers to a standard they had not been at before. How would they cope with the test ahead? With games being 11 a side and 10 minutes each way the games were played at a very high tempo. Points were given as 3 for a win, 2 for a score draw and 1 for a Goal less draw.
Panthers got off to a winning start beating Linconshire 2-0 with goals from Mel and Lucy which allowed the players to relax a little. The second match against eventual finalists Bedfordshire saw us go a goal down early on. We then missed two cracking chances to draw level before half time, one chance being hacked off the line.
At half time the talk was around ceasing the opportunity ahead. We went onto equalise late on with a goal from Lucy and took two points from a hard encounter. Third match saw us face Nottinghamshire who were very impressive especially with their workrate and wingplay and we spent most of the match on the backfoot defending an early lead given to us after great work by Minsh and a finish on the volley from Oli!!!!!
Tired legs and injuries to our goalkeeper (which saw Jeska go in goal for the first time ever) and other players were taking their toll and we conceeded an equaliser and after 14 minutes in a 10 minute game we let in another with the last kick of the match. This was the hardest defeat were have ever been subjected to as a team and with one match left against the Birmingham FA (Biggest in England) and only 11 players fit we were in a no win situation.
However with no chance of getting to the final ourselves and Birmingham needing a 3-0 win to get into the final we set about lifting everyone for task ahead. Supported by the whole Panthers army and the walking wounded and the whole of Bedfordshire we set about our task and what a performance we produced. The workrate on display had never been seen before in a Panthers shirt.
All the players were fantastic against a very talented side from Birmingham. Half time saw us level at 0-0. The second half saw us go a goal down and it would have been oh so easy for Birmingham to steamroll through us and get into the final. As is known now Wrekin Panthers never lie down and die and back we came and created a chance to equalise and up stepped Robbo from 30 yards to grab a richly deserved 2 points.
Wrekin Panthers had a wonderful day and were a huge credit to all the groups they represented- Shropshire FA, Wrekin Juniors FC, AFC Telford United and most of all themselves and their families in the Panthers Army. With some players so shattered and tired at the end many were carried back to the waiting team bus for the journey home.
Myself and Paul were so very proud of how you all stepped up in our area of weaknesses on the day and that will be recognised in the next few weeks at training. You should now all be aware of the level other teams play at and why we work you hard sometimes. The pleasing aspect is that as a small club compared to many playing in this competition you were worthy of your place and on another day who knows what might have happened.
One clear message to all of you and one that stays within our team is the incident that took place. As far as myself and Paul are concerned is that it is not acceptable and is now forgotten about. You must all learn from that and ensure it never happens again.
All in all you are a credit to yourselves, your parents and Girls football in Shropshire. You deserve to go down in history. Three more wins is all it takes. Can we kick it? Of course we can. After Sunday you are now recognised as one of the top 25 or so Girls Under 14's teams in England. Be proud very proud. Now to break into the top 20!
Mike and Paul
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