Report on the under 9s 4th February game against Ryleys Nomads from Edward McNally (aged 9) and Dave McNally (coach).

After last week’s surprising 3-3 draw with bottom of the table Stretford Victoria, Oswald Road U9’s this week beat Ryleys Nomads for the second time this season, scoring only one goal less than in the earlier 5-1 victory.

The team overcame their habit of letting the opposition dominate the first third of the game with an early goal from Ilya Szkwarok. Before the end of the first 15 minutes though Oswald Road’s attacking play let Ryleys in when, for the only time in the game, players didn’t get back behind the ball.

Pressure in the second 15 minutes brought about an own goal from the unlucky Ryleys Nomads keeper.

Consistently solid defending from combinations of Devonte Cantrill, Callum Lee, Arsalan Mahmood, Demornia Cantrell, Edward McNally, Jacob White and Oliver Schofield-McCarthy kept Ryleys to a single goal.

Good support play in midfield from Thurston Monk, Joey Lowy, Ilya Szkwarok and Tommy Whittell meant more goals were always likely for Oswald Road.

Like other opponents Ryleys Nomads didn’t know how to handle Edward McNally’s long throws, one creating the first gaol and then again for the third goal scored by Tommy Whittell in the final 15 minutes. Tommy scored a second goal near the end of the match from an almost impossible angle to wrap up a comfortable 4-1 victory.

The win will keep the under 9s near the top of Timperley and District Junior Football League Division 2 Table. Next weeks game (11th February) is a return to Stretford Victoria for a Cup Quarter Final.

Team: Demornia Cantrell; Devonte Cantrill; Callum Lee; Arsalan Mahmood; Joey Lowy (capt.); Edward McNally; Oliver Schofield-McCarthy; Thurston Monk; Ilya Szkwarok; Jacob White; Tommy Whittell.