Match Reports

Cadishead and Rope finally got to meet after the earlier fixture had been postponed due to poor weather. This time, conditions were excellent, with dry weather and a pitch suited to bowls or billiards- an absolute belter!. Rope started immediately on the attack and only a superb finger tip save by the Cadishead keeper kept out a Jud Thorniley volley from a corner. It was soon 0-1 as Jud's next effort was placed wide of the keeper after good work by David Alcock. Just minutes later it was 0-2 as some great link up play between Regan, David and Jud saw another Jud shot parried, only for Regan to react quickest and force the ball over the line. It was almost 3 as the same combination of David and Jud ended with a Jud rocket smacking the cross bar. Rope were running riot with the sort of football they have produced only occasionally this season and Cadishead tried manfully to weather the storm with their keeper time and again making crucial saves. David Alcock was involved again with Rope's next goal as his determined run through midfield ended with Regan Foy being presented with a tap in to make it 0-3. Still the scoring wasn't over and a ball out to Tom Corless out wide right saw a first time thunderbolt ripple the net 0-4. Just before half time we were treated to a brilliant solo effort from Jud Thorniley as he jinked between 3 men and stretched to shoot into the corner with the outside of his left foot. HT 0-5 Cadishead were in danger of a real drubbing with a 5 goal deficit at half time and Rope playing the U10s version of United V Roma but it is to their great credit that they rolled up their sleeves and gave it a real go in the second half. The half started badly as James Sweeney scored early, after Rope cleared a Cadishead corner and broke at pace with the keeper only able to get fingers to the ball as it went in off the right hand post 0-6 . And incredibly, after what had gone before, with 18 minutes still left, that was Rope's final goal. Cadishead started to push forward and caused Rope a few problems, Rope's pace dropped and their football became a bit sloppy. Still Cadishead were grateful to their keeper for a brilliant save high in the corner from a David Alcock rocket. Not often that a goalkeeper would get man of the match after conceeding 6 but this keeper was on fire and with 5 minutes left he ventured upfield for a corner a placed a superb header into the Rope net to open Cadishead's account 1-6. Rope's keeper tried to respond as he went up for the next Rope corner but the ball sailed over his head. FT 1-6 Some great football at times from Rope and runners up spot secured. 2 games to go, both against champions Penlake, one in the league and then the small matter of a cup final. Thanks to Cadishead for the way they approaached the game and for carrying on when lesser teams might have folded. Thanks also for providing what has to be the best playing surface in the league- an absolute credit to the club. If Cadishead do go down (and who knows how these things are worked out?) we would like to wish them the very best of luck- they approach the game exactly the right way and have given us some great battles since under 7s- always tough but always fair.Steve Kennedy