It was never going to be an easy game despite how far our team has come since playing Wacsbury twice last and losing both games. Rumors had been flying around that the opposition were missing a few players with injuries but Wilmslow had also arrived at the Disley Sports Club grounds with a lighter squad than we would have liked.
Louis Andrews opened the scoring for Wilmslow against his former club, Wilmslow failed to seize a number of man up opportunities from Wacsbury penalties in the first quarter but Wacsbury did and took that opening 20 minute quarter 2 goals to one. Both goal keepers made a large number of saves in that period and that was to continue all game.
A stronger, for resilient Wilmslow this season. Last year we might have curled up and hid from the pressure moments, this season sees us embrace it. Wilmslow middies stepped up and a couple of points tied the game before attacker Chatterton put us back in front at 4-3. Unfortunately Wacsbury's face off guy who was outstanding, losing only one face all game, scored before the end of the quarter.
Wacsbury came out from the halftime break with a little more fire, their long poles seemed to land a few more checks and make a few interceptions giving them a little more possession. It's that 3rd quarter, it has hit Wilmslow before...but not this game. Wacsbury went up 4-5, 4-6. Eastwood bagged one, Chatterton got his second. Although we might not had our best 20 minutes, we had survived the short lived Norbury flurry to go in to the final period tied at 6-6.
Coach Perrin gave a team talk at the quarter time break that had nothing to do with X's and O's, a reminder to the team that it's these type's of games we learn, overcome, fight back with minds, heart and guts, "You are forged in the fire".
Wilmslow came out a little different from that team huddle, defensively we looked a little tighter and cleaner with our checks. Goddard had been nothing short of excellent in goal to this point but added some outstanding saves during a number of Wacsbury attacks. Chatterton bagged his 3rd of the game, Andrews his second, at 8-6 we wanted take a more time on offense now. Although we would score, the very next possession would go to them with their way having dominance at the face off. Again Wilmslow stepped up on the defensive end and some key groundballs were won by Wilmslow, it matters not what level of the sport you play, the fact remains that groundballs win games...but so does smart possessions. With 10 mins 30 secs left in the game, Wilmslow's coach had to use his last timeout of the game. As the coach and author of this match report I can openly tell you that in every game I've ever coached, I will leave a timeout to use in the dying minutes of the game but not this game. The timeout was needed as a "get out of jail card", a loss of possession at this point might give Wacsbury the chance to clear, score and get back within 1 goal.
Out of the timeout Wilmslow executed their offense much better and went on to score 2 further goals. "Finished what we came here to do" was balled out of the Wilmslow bench. With a little over 30 seconds left on the clock and Wilmslow once again man down, Wacsbury called a timeout, strangely having called it they wanted to get straight back on the field. Coach Perrin kindly reminded the officials that he could still use the opponents timeout to address the Wilmslow players.
Special mention to MVP Matt "Monkey" Goddard on one of his finest performances between the pipes, hold Wacsbury to just 6 goals, the least they have scored in any game to date this season. Also, congratulations to Henry Phillips who played is opening Wilmslow game for the first team having impressed at 4 consecutive practices with the club.
The Wilmslow train continues to move forward, always forward with this 10-6 win.
