U14 Boy's v Stockport

This week the U14s took on Stockport at home.

You can argue forever as to whether Lacrosse is as good as it was in years gone by. In my opinion we are not in a vintage period but there are still some outstanding young players in Manchester junior Lacrosse.
The U14 age group has one excellent team and a couple of other teams which are very good . Many teams are work in progress but are improving. It is not made easier by what seem to be exceedingly difficult demands made by authority on hard working clubs and their volunteers . All in the name of good practice not better lacrosse.

Last Saturday the excellent team travelled to Stockport Road to take on one of the very good teams . Earlier in the season at Cale Green Stockport ( the excellent team) beat Timperley ( one the very good teams-the other is Mellor)12-7 in a competitive game which had much good Lacrosse.

On Saturday Timperley were hopeful that they would give Stockport an even tougher game . Overnight frost raised questions of pitch fitness but early morning sun soon left us with a perfect playing surface.

Timperley opened strongly with Jim Hartley , who is developing into an exciting prospect in midfield and face off gaining clean possession, passing to Ben Edwards whose return pass saw Jim finish off the move.

After a slow start Stockport responded with an excellent equaliser. A period of extended Timperley pressure saw them create chances but the Stockport keeper was in great form and similarly Stockport’s attack saw some impressive keeping from Tom Allen in the Timperley nets.

Stockport were still below par and although a time out saw them up the tempo Timperley were still impressing and a feed from Owen to Sam Ginger saw the Blues take a 2-1 quarter time lead.

Timperley struck first in 2nd quarter with Cai finishing off an Owen feed but Stockport were getting their game heads on . Winning ground balls wins games and Stockport were beginning to dominate and despite some heroics from Tom Allen the visitors got their noses in front. A goal controversially disallowed did not help the Timperley cause and at half time Stockport lead 3-4..

The 3rd quarter saw Stockport maintain there dominance with excellent defence and effective riding and extend their lead to 3-7.

The final quarter saw a Timperley fight back with 2 goals from Cai but replies from Stockport gave them a deserved 5-9 win.

Stockport are a good team but Timperley have the ability to run them close and beat them on a good day. The keys are ground balls and clears which Timperley need to work on. They are all about grit, patience and determination.

After the traumas of the summer their is a welcome spirit about the club and this was typified by coach Tim Blower who drove up from London for the game. Fantastic!

Man of the Match Tom Allen

Scorers
Cai Alty 3/0
Jim Hartley 1/0
Sam Ginger 1/0
Owen Shuttleworth 0/3
Ben Edwards 0/1