Oswald Road Under 16s Season 2005-2006
TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

After finishing a very creditable 4th place last season in the Timperley League, this season has seen a very encouraging start . Pete and Nick managed to recruit some new faces to replace Michael, Robert, Max and Gavin who all decided in the close season to hang up their boots. We welcomed to the team Tom McManus, Karl Brown, Calvin Hitchman and Jonathan Wilson who have all fitted in extremely well.
After a comfortable 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Broadheath, goals scored by newcomer Tom McManus and Danny Blythin Hammond, the team has taken maximum points from Bowden Rangers (7-0), Parkwydden (7-2) and Benchill Celtic (8-0) dropping 2 points away at Sale United A in an exciting 3-3 draw.

Bowden Rangers, the league’s usual struggling team, were comfortably beaten with some clinical football, the defence including Aatif Raja, Calvin, Alex Baker and Lewis Marshall easily shielding Sam Francis in goal to such an extent that he was rarely called upon to show his talents. Goals came from Tom McManus (2), Peter Redmond, Paul Clayton and Ben Lavin with Bowden giving 2 own goals. Man of the Match Sailesh Vara playing alongside the previous week’s man of the match Tom O’Reilly in central midfield ensured Miles Luckin, the team’s captain wasn’t missed , absent through injury.

Sale United A were stronger opposition. Even without 3 players and carrying injuries we were disappointed to only draw, giving away goals from 2 set pieces and 1 through a defensive disaster! Tom McManus led from the front with a deserved Man Of The Match Award and 1 goal, Sailesh and Danny scoring the others. Sam pulled off a tremendous save in the last minute to avoid a defeat which would have been very harsh.

Parkwydden were a very different proposition, runners up the previous season, strong, aggressive, skilful and abusive but dispatched easily in the end. The main danger was our players reacting to the provocation, the crowd wincing at some terrible, cynical tackles; I have to say the referee in the first half did a superb job under difficult circumstances! Tom McManus didn’t over react even when spat at and head butted. Adam Horley, leading the defence was a deserving Man of the Match, goals from Miles(2), Sailesh(2), Tom McManus (2) and Peter.

October’s first game was against Benchill who were no match for some of the best football Oswald Road have ever played, the football flowing, accurate fast passing, great movement, strong in the tackle and clinical finishing- Man of the Match Peter scoring 4, Tom McManus (2), Sailesh and centre half Calvin- hitting a twenty yard shot to finish the rout. Although the victory was a team effort, special mention should go to Miles and Tom O’Reilly in the midfield and Ben on the wing who were strong contenders for Man of the Match.

Next Game: at Chorlton Park 10.30 KO Sunday 9th October v Wilmslow Sports

Nick and Pete