FOOTBALL- 18th SEPTEMBER

Year 11 Through in First Game of Season

Tonight (Wednesday 18^th September) saw CHS’ year 11 take on Manchester’s Wellacre in the English Schools’ League. CHS, wearing the Stockport County kit, had a lot to think about going into the match as they are now in what some people call a ‘transition period’ as the former manager has left and Mr Cross has taken over the responsibility at the helm.  Mr Cross has a new vision for the side with CHS lining up in a 3-1-3-3 formation with Captain Lewis Dunn having the versatile role in the hole. With this being the first game of the season it took a while for the rustiness to where off but after a worrying moment in the first minute, where CHS could have easily found themselves behind if it wasn’t for the quick reactions from the defence in clearing a dangerous loose ball. CHS soon played the promising football which they often demonstrated last year and this led to a well worked chance for Barton who saw his shot cross the face of the goal.

Wellacre had a chance to break the deadlock on 15 minutes when their forward out-muscled Sam Spooner just outside the area before he had a shot that I am sure Carslake, in goal, would have been pleased to see go past his far post. Instead it was CHS who took the lead a couple of minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Barton’s strength and hard work outside the area paid off when he played a through ball towards the running Max Berekley who just as he was about to pull the trigger was brought down inside the area. A Clear Penalty. Barton, who played Berekley in, coolly slotted the ball in the right hand bottom corner and sent the keeper the wrong way. 1-0 CHS.

Having taken the lead CHS played well and with confidence and it wasn’t long until they doubled their tally. CHS’ second goal came about after an inspired substitution from new manager Mr Cross bringing on George Hooper who seconds after coming on scored an absolute screamer from 30 yards out. His shot was like a bullet through the air and slowly dipped over the keeper, who was forced to back pedal, and just under the crossbar. The keeper had no chance. 2-0 CHS. It may be the first game of the season but this is a real contender for goal of season and it will take something extremely special to beat it!

After the second goal Wellacre were looking for everything from the referee but he was having none of it. The day could have got even worse for Wellacre as Adam McHale had an excellent chance to make it 3-0 just before half-time when he rounded the keeper and all he had to do was knock it with his left foot but instead he allowed Wellacre’s defenders to re-organise after he switched  to his favoured right-foot. As a result his shot was put behind for a corner. 

Halftime- 2-0 CHS

Wellacre pulled one back after half-time after what should have been a routine save for Carslake turned into a Robert Green/Scott Carson moment with the ball going straight through his hands.  After a few edgy minutes and moments for CHS they restored their two goal advantage after McHale’s good work on the left saw him pass the ball to Barton whose initial shot was parried by the keeper but he followed up and put the rebound into the net. The final score was 3-1 to CHS which means they progress into the next round.

Written by Adam Bailey