Man of the Match: Michael O'Dowd - scored a great goal and worked tirelessly
Girl Power! (sorry boys)
St Johns 1 - 0 Ashton on Mersey
3rd March 2007
To everyone's great surprise the match went ahead, in spite of some dodgy weather, and this was a match we were all looking forward to, having been narrowly beaten in the away fixture against Ashton.
St Johns started the game with the wind behind them, playing towards the carpark end, but mentally perhaps were still in their beds as the home side struggled to clear the ball out of defence or put two passes together. Ashton were playing their last league game of the season and, with their league placing secured, were clearly out to enjoy themselves and outplayed St Johns in the first third with some fine attacking football. However the defensive trio of Niall, Jack and Joe did their job and kept them at bay.
For the second third, a few changes were made and slowly St Johns began to take hold of the game. Dom, Jack and Matthew were proving to be a handful in midfield, and Alethea' speed up front created plenty of pressure on the away goal. But in spite of numerous chances, we couldn't find a breakthrough. The Ashton defence was rock solid.
For the final period, Conor took to the field up front, with Alethea moving to left wing and Eamonn to the right. Fortunately we had the wind on our backs again, not to mention the rain and hail! And it was Eamonn who made the difference. Picking the ball up in his own half he skipped round a couple of Ashton players and lashed a great shot into the top corner of the goal. Both Alethea and Danny could easily have made it more, but for the dogged Ashton defence, and in the end we were happy to settle for 1-0 and three valuable points.
"Man" of the Match: Alethea Paul - gave Ashton all sort of problems with her skill and pace.
It's Tough at the Top
Ryley's Nomads 2 - 1 St Johns
17th February 2007
With Rob unable to take the pressure and escaping to Italy for a week, Graeme stepped in to take charge of this gripping top-of-the-table encounter, with St Johns hoping to avenge the 3-1 home defeat earlier in the season. With Nomads scoring freely in recent games it was sure to be a tough match, so it was a relief to have Jack Kelly back in defence alongside the ever-reliable Callum. The first third was dominated by St Johns, who created numerous chances but failed to press home their advantage with a goal. This would prove costly.
In the second third St Johns played with the Alpine-like slope, on what must the the most unusual shaped pitch in the league! One penalty area full-sized, the other the size of a postage stamp! The defence was finding it difficult to clear the ball from a number of dead-ball situations, and eventually paid the price by conceding a goal. The Nomads No.8 was also proving to be a handful, having scored one goal and made another.
So with the score 2-0, St Johns had the last third to level things. It was hotly contested, with the visitors again having more of the play, and reward came towards the end with a goal from Eamonn.
All round a great team effort, and both players and manager are looking forward to the cup clash in a couple of weeks when we meet Ryleys once again.
Man of the Match: Niall Pumfrey - outstanding in goal.
Sale Reported Lost in the Fog
St Johns 3 - 2 Sale United Raiders (aet)
3rd February 2007
In foggy conditions ideal for an atmospheric cup game, this hard fought contest was end to end action, starting with an early goal by Rory, following a superb passing move with Jack McGovern. Both teams piled on the pressure, resulting in a number of corners, with Jack again showing his all round ability, this time in a defensive role. Alethea had a number of excellent individual efforts on goal, supported again by Rory.
In the second third, Sale drew level from a corner to make it 1-1, but St Johns were soon ahead again with a great individual effort by Jack to make it 2-1. Again, Sale fought back, and it took some superb defending by Joe, playing in an outfield position with skill and determination, to keep the score in St Johns' at the second break. However, Sale’s efforts were finally rewarded by a goal following a goalmouth scramble, with this exciting game now 2-2.
The full time whistle went, meaning extra time. Michael Baines hit the post, but it was another fine individual effort by Jack McGovern that settled the match just as the manager's were mentally drawing up a list of penalty-takers!
A closely fought match which could have gone either way - perhaps the ability to rotate 4 subs counted in our favour in the end as Sale began to tire.
Man of the Match: Joe Tarpey
Buccaneers Blown Off Course
Sale Utd Buccaneers 1 - St Johns 2
20th January 2006
St John's were perhaps a little fortunate to pull of this hard-fought win against a resolute Buccaneers side. Conditions were difficult, with the strong wind that had brought down several trees on the periphery of the Crossford Bridge ground still making its presence felt.
The score was 0-0 at the end of the first period, with St John's spurning a couple of good opportunities but mostly battling against a head-wind and some pacy Sale players. However, with the wind on their backs for the second period, St Johns were more dominant and some excellent midfield play from Michael O'Dowd, Rory and Eamonn opened up plenty of chances for Alethea up front. Joe was an increasingly frozen spectator, and it was a well taken goal from Alethea that separated the two teams at the start of the last period.
Having won the toss, St Johns were again wind assisted and again it was Alethea whose pace enabled her to chase a ball few would have reached to slot home the second. It was beginning to look comfortable, but Sale were not to be out-done and half way through the third, with the manager about to make substitutions, they scored from a marvellous lob that gave Joe no chance.
This set up a nail-biting finish. Sale pressed hard for the equaliser and St Johns seemed to be tiring in the difficult conditions, but they held out for another valuable 3 points.
Stuck in the Mud Part III
Longhey Athletic 1 - St Johns 4
13th January 2006
This was a marvellous performance from St Johns to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. Every single player excelled today, with some of the football a joy to watch, in spite of a heavy pitch.
Stuck in the Mud Part II
Sale Utd Raiders 2 - St Johns 3
6th January 2006
A necessarily brief report this week, as the awful weather made it impossible to write! The first weekend after the New Year is always a difficult one, with people often still away on holiday, but thankfully we had no such problems and were able to pick from a squad of 11. I suspect it hasn't stopped raining since the previous match report, and Sale's Crossford Bridge ground was passed as just about playable by the referee, much to everyone's relief. It may have been more suited to mud-wrestling, but the players were desperate to get a game after so many weeks of cancellations.
We started the game with a strong line-up, and put Sale under plenty of pressure, however they were to score first, very much against the run of play, after St John's failed to clear the ball from defence. Further St John's pressure ensued, prompted by some intelligent passing from Jack McGovern in midfield. It looked as though we would never get that breakthrough until a minute before the end of the first third when Jack split the Sale defence to release Conor down the left, who kept his composure and slotted the ball home. 1-1.
In the second third St John's tried hard to achieve the breakthrough, but Sale defended in numbers and were threatening on the breakaway. In spite of that Joe had little to do in goal, with the defence performing marvellously in front of him, and we finished the period still level.
The final third was perhaps the most exciting. Niall had replaced the frozen and mud-splattered Joe in goal, and St John's scored two quick goals to take a 3-1 lead. The first was a wonderful strike by Michael Baines, who pounced on a clearance outside the penalty box to launch a thunder-bolt into the top corner of the goal. Shortly after, Alethea scored after beating several Sale defenders in their penalty area and it looked as thought the points were secured.
But of course it is never as simple as that! Heavy pitches make for tired legs, and somehow Sale were allowed to pull back a goal, setting up a tense finish. Suddenly the home team were throwing caution to the wind, abandoning their previously defensive strategy, and visitors were penned into their own half. Could we hold on? It was tempting to change formation and pack the defence, but the manager kept faith and the players stuck to their task, with Michael O'Dowd in particular taking advantage of the mud to ensure the ball got stuck as often as possible!
So with other results going our way over the weekend, next week's game against Longhey looks interesting!
St John's Leave Meds Stuck in the Mud!
Urmston Meadowside 0 - St Johns 5
25th November 2006 - thanks to Stephen Pumfrey for the report!
As the convoy left Longford Park on a grey, drizzly morning, there was some doubt about whether the match would be on, and Urmston Meds’ Acregate ground certainly had many waterlogged areas. But the home team made us welcome and our pitch was quite playable, especially after a weak sun emerged in the second period. Soggy goalmouths still presented laundering problems to many parents, especially those of Niall (in goal again with Joe absent), who answered touchline urgings to get as muddy as possible.
In Rob’s absence, Graeme made a good gaffer. With Rory a disconsolate invalid on the sidelines and Alethea injured, we were down to nine players but the whole team was commendably alert from the first whistle.
Despite our sharper than usual start, the early play was evenly balanced, and a risky back pass produced a scare for St John’s. Graeme noted that our defending at and clearance of corners was still not good. Both sides settled but the deadlock was broken after five minutes. Michael Baines seized on a chance at the edge of the penalty area and struck the ball high in the corner of the net. It was the peak of a gutsy performance from Michael, who created several threats on the edge of Urmston’s box.
Jack McGovern was visibly growing in composure in midfield. After ten minutes he carried the ball from the half way line and, eluding several defenders, slotted it home in the bottom right corner of the goal. This great solo effort, coupled with excellent linking play and good tracking back in defence earned him a second man of the match award in succession. The team’s confidence was up, and Urmston’s heads seemed down. St John’s dominated to the end of the first period, with Dom working well to give us control in midfield.
In the second period Graeme brought Danny on for Dom and Michael O’Dowd for Michael Baines. Danny had a good game, taking up the right positions, working hard, and executing a memorable lob volley just over Urmston’s bar. By now all parts of the team were functioning very well as a unit. Urmston were pinned back and, after they cleared several shots poorly, Michael O’Dowd dug the ball out of the mud during a goalmouth scramble for a third score.
Thereafter, Urmston commendably raised their game, tackling doggedly, passing better through midfield and creating a number of chances. Ella, their girl forward, was impressive but Niall made several good saves to prevent Urmston getting back within reach. The period ended with Callum adding to his typically sound defensive duties by taking the ball down the left wing and delivering a superb cross.
For the final third, Michael O’Dowd stayed on for Conor, although Conor would return when Jack took a deserved breather. The tide of the match continued to ebb and flow. Although St John’s was always assured of a comfortable victory, Urmston threatened to score a merited consolation goal or two. Thus, after Michael had forced their keeper into a great save and clearance, it was only Callum’s perceptive sweeping that prevented another open run at goal for the plucky opponents.
St John’s now pressed home their superiority. Michael’s sweet connection with a pass was parried well by Urmston’s goalie, but Conor tucked home the rebound – a fair reward for his tireless probing and harrying up front. 4-0 became 5-0 as Michael O’Dowd broke through an increasingly stretched defence to score his second goal and to cap off a great morning. It was nearly six when a cross from the right failed to reach any of the three unmarked St John’s players who had advanced from midfield with speed and vision. Urmston still made chances and their Ella hit the post but, maintaining his high standard, Niall covered himself with glory and mud to keep a ‘clean sheet’ - even if most of his clothes were blacker and filthier than were suggested by a scoreline of 5-0.
Jack Kelly’s unobtrusive but ultra-efficient defending was crucial to our record win of the season so far, and to an excellent goal difference that might prove important at the end of the season. Indeed, as an outstanding defensive line, Jack and Callum shared the second man of the match award. Graham told the team that every one of the nine players deserved an award, and we look forward to a good performance at Turn Moss in the return fixture next week with infinitely more confidence than England’s cricketers in Australia.
St Johns No Match for the Nomads
St Johns 1 - Ryleys Nomads 3
18th November 2006
Another top-of-the table clash saw
St Johns play host to league leaders Ryleys Nomads, who must be the further outpost in the league being based way out in Alderley Edge. St Johns were without several key players, with Rory unavailable and Alethea failing a late fitness test, but were still able to start the match with a strong 7 comprising Niall, Jack K, Callum, Dom, Eamonn, Michael B and Jack McG (a late addition to the squad in place of Alethea).
Once again the wind at Turn Moss was blowing hard, and
St Johns found it hard to get going. The visitors had most of the possession in the first period, but fine defensive work and a great save from Niall kept the skilful visitors at bay until the 10th minute when the defence stood off for a moment allowing Ryleys to score. Shortly after,
St Johns finally forced a corner following great work from Jack McG, but no-one could connect. This would prove costly as Ryleys broke up the other end, forcing another fine save from Niall, but he was unable to hold the ball and their forward was first to the rebound to put away the second.
Michael O’D, Danny and Conor took the field for the 2nd third, and this time with a following wind
St Johns exerted good pressure. The passing was better, and Conor was tackling like a demon and troubling the defence with his dribbling.
St Johns can count themselves unlucky not to have scored with good chances notably from Danny and Eamonn.
Tails were up for the final third, which saw our two most dangerous players on the day, Conor and Jack McG, teaming up for the first time in the match. They worked very well together, and seem to be developing a good understanding, but it was a ball of rare quality from Michael B that split the Ryleys defence, putting Jack McG through to coolly score. Would this see another
St Johns comeback? Sadly not. In spite of a couple of great chances, including one miss that would have made even Cristiano Ronaldo blush, Ryleys managed a third goal against the run of play and
St Johns had to face up to only their second defeat of the season.
Man of the Match was awarded jointly to Jack McG and Conor, who were both outstanding today.
Fireworks at Turn Moss!
Stretford Vics 2 - St Johns 2
4th November 2006 - thanks for Paul Kearney for the report!
This week we had the unusual situation of an away game at Turn Moss! A big and noisy crowd saw
St Johns start with Joe, Callum, Jack Kelly, Eamonn, Michael O’Dowd, Matthew and Conor. The visitors were still on their half term recess at kick-off, for this top-of-the-table clash. Instant pressure from Vics, who were first out of the blocks, soon led to a blistering shot and goal, which had the effect of waking the sleepy
St Johns. A high ball into Vics’ box forced a brilliant two-handed save from one of the home defenders, and for the second time this season a penalty was awarded. Jack Kelly manfully stepped up to the plate, but his driven low shot went the same way as Alethea’s the other week in skimming the outside of the keeper’s left hand post.
At the first break the manager had to have a serious rethink. Niall was introduced to play in goal, Jack McGovern to add some steel to midfield, with Rory and Alethea adding their considerable energies in attack. And the wild-card addition of Millie the dog to confuse the opposition was a master-stroke!! Vics started better, and after conceding a corner the heat was on once again. A great run and smart shot brought a brilliant save from Niall, but
St Johns’ defence went to sleep and failed to clear the ball, allowing Vics to scramble the ball home from close range for their 2nd.
Next followed a series of crunching tackles as no quarter was taken or given, with Rory requiring treatment after a nasty foul.
St Johns made great territorial gains from a series of throws down one side and were beginning to exert good pressure. Eventually the ball fell to the battling Rory, who took on two defenders before avenging the earlier foul by crashing the ball into the net.
The final third saw constant pressure from
St Johns, with good passing from Eamonn in midfield and great individual runs from Alethea and Rory. Vics were reduced to a couple of speculative long shots, though one did hit the post!
St Johns forced a number of corners late in the game and the home defence was unsettled by the physical presence of our bigger players. One corner finally paid off – it was cleared by Vics, but Matthew played a low ball back into the box resulting in a bit of a scramble from which Eamonn managed to force home a right foot shot. Pandemonium on the touchline!
At the end Stretford Vics did well to resist a number of raids, which might have seen
St Johns take all three points, but the draw was probably a fair result. Callum was awarded man of the match for a hard-working and intelligent performance in defence.
St Johns Pay the Penalty!
Ashton on Mersey 2 - St Johns 1
14th October 2006 - thanks to Paul Kearney for the report
On a field more suited to the grazing of cattle,
St Johns turned out a starting seven of Joe, Matthew, Callum, Jack Kelly, Dom, Rory and Alethea, with subs Jack McGovern, Conor and Michael Baines. The first third saw a high octane period with goal opportunities at both ends. Ashton hit the bar (which fortunately was sagging in just the right place!) before a goalmouth scramble which brought about four saves in quick succession from Joe. However Ashton finally breached his goal just before the break.
The second period started with the introduction of Jack McGovern in midfield, Michael Baines on the left and Conor up front. But halfway through the third,
St Johns went further behind after the defence failed to deal with a number of soft passes close to goal. They still hadn’t come to terms with the silage growing between the goals!
St Johns responded well though, and a “maizie” run by Conor and neat pass played Man of the Match Michael Baines in for a wonderful strike to peg one back.
Alethea was reintroduced for the final third, as was Rory. Their energy injected new life into
St Johns, who pressed for the equaliser. The pressure got a bit much for the Ashton defence and the ref awarded a penalty for blatant handball in the closing seconds of the match. Alethea was given the awesome responsibility to take the kick, and with her Dad unable to watch she confidently aimed the ball at the corner of the goal only to see it go narrowly wide.
The final whistle blew, and a sad and dejected
St Johns faced up to their first defeat of the season. However a muted call from one of the players after the match to sack the manager is perhaps a little premature!
Man of the match was Michael Baines for a exceptionally well taken goal and some intelligent passing.
