On a typical cold February morning Pinner's U9s started the game a lot brighter than the day. A lively Sam looked a threat from the off and when Nathan won possession of the ball in midfield he passed to Sam wide on the right wing who delivered a pin-point cross for Jamie to score from close range, 1-0 Pinner.
Pinner kept up the pressure on the Pinnstars defence and this paid dividends when the Pinnstars goalkeeper was unable to hold Jamie's long shot from the edge of the box, 2–0 Pinner.
With Joe and Adam giving a battling performance in defence, Pinnstars were limited to long range shots on goal and when Patrick superbly dealt with a shot from the edge of the box by tipping it over the bar a la Petr Cech, it looked like it could be our day.
Growing in confidence, Pinner continued to attack, Nathan's run and shot hit the post and Sam pounced on the rebound only to see his unstoppable shot cannon of the Pinnstars cross bar for a goal kick.
Pinnstars never gave up and just before half time their perseverance paid off when a shot from the edge of the box could only be parried by Patrick into the net, HT 2-1 Pinner.
The second half was very much backs against the wall as Pinnstars tried in vain to equalise. Just as Pinner had restricted Pinnstars to long range shots in the first half Pinnstars did the same to Pinner.
In defence Shamil and Adam made tackle after tackle, backed up in midfield by Nathan, Joe and Alex, whilst Jamie toiled tirelessly in attack for the cause. The victory was sealed after a frantic clearance, which involved Patrick diving at the feet of a player about to equalise and at least half a dozen attempts at a clearance by the Pinner defence brought the game to and end. When it’s not your day, these efforts go against you. Credit goes to a battling Pinnstars side who always give as good as they get against us.
The Man of the Match was Jamie for his 2 goals and non-stop effort but a special mention must go to Adam who not only tackled well but read the game well with some intelligent covering, passing and running from defence. |
