Wensleydale Junior Football League Cup Under 12's, 11th March 2007 2Dales (Reeth )have worked on looking up and passing, helping the team mate who has the ball by moving into space for them and calling for the ball and, if we lose the ball, get back and defend. Today, I am proud to report, we employed all of the above and produced a good team performance. We can allow ourselves satisfaction by taking a lot from the way the team held it’s shape in that everyone stuck to their roles. Mike Russell (Spennithorne’s Coach) has worked well with his team and sportingly paid us the compliment of observing that our defending had much improved since our last visit when we lost. This was due in no small measure to the excellent Louis; he tackled like a demon, and took up intelligent positions that always made it difficult for his opponents. Arte also showed development and conscientiously stuck to his role denying Spennithorne a number of chances and Dan, played a captain’s role marshalling his team at every turn. I have to say that the communication and organisation at corners and free kicks was much improved. After 10 minutes we gave a debut to Jack who’s first introduction to the team was briefly at the bus shelter in Reeth before the game. During the warm ups it was obvious that young Jack is comfortable on the ball and I had no problems putting him into mid field. He took a couple of heavy, but clean, challenges and stuck to his game well. During the match later he visibly began to relax and showed some very nice touches on the ball. In perefect conditions after some heavy weeks of rain this was a well balanced, entertaining, game swinging from end to end with chances falling to both sides and all keepers in good form. It would take something special to break the deadlock – step up Matty who took another of his trademark dribbling runs but, with goal in sight, he didn’t hammer the ball; he lobbed it and the ball delightfully dropped into the far corner over the not inconsiderable goalkeeper – a contender for goal of the season! Spennithorne showed great spirit and did not give up, testing our goalkeeper Sean Lord with some cracking shots, smacked the post and hit the side netting in the final nerve wracking minutes. The final whistle came as a relief to send 2Dales into the Wensleydale Junior Football League Cup Semi-final. Bob Fairbrother | 
