It was always going to be a tough game against a team 6 divisions above the Panthers in the EBFA U12 league. And it was. Final score was 12-0 to Windsor who were obviously the much more experienced team.

All the boys put up a brave effort including our man-of-the-match Alfie Waller. He made many fine saves to limit the damage.

The boys kept pushing for a consolation goal but to no avail. The Jaguars set a standard that we now aspire to.

This really was a game of halves against the league leaders.

The Panthers were under the cosh from the kick off and defended resolutely for the first 10 minutes against attack after attack. Sadly we let in two soft goals. The opposition continued to attack and our only half chance in the first half came from good work between Harr McGill and Callum but to no avail. The opposition scored two more goals as the Panthers head started to go down a bit just before half time.

The second half was like two different teams playing. The Panthers dominated and had good chances from Callum (*4), Harry Willet, Harry McGill and Adem. However we came across an opposition keeper at the top of his game and he kept the ball out of his net with many fine saves. Callum won a last minute penalty with some great intelligence but although Will struck the penalty well, the keeper made another great save with the last touch of the game.

The second half performance was by far the best of the season so far and if we can repeat that for a a whole game then our first victory will certainly come soon.

Well done Panthers and Eversley and California Saints.

We were down to 8 players for the game so agreement was reached with the opposition to play 8 vs 8. However we actually ended up playing against 9 in the first half.

It was a hard game and Pinewood took an early deserved lead. But then Harry McGill scored a 40 yard screamer into the ‘top bin’ to level the scores at 1-1 (Harry claims it was at least 50 yards out). Pinewood scored again but shortly after Leo Cresswell was through one-on-one with the keeper who made a fine save. Pinewood scored at third and then Harry James was through one-on-one with the keeper who made another fine save.

Half time score was 3-1 to Pinewood but it could easily have been 3-3. Great effort by the Panthers given we were a man down.

The second half was close but Pinewood scored a fourth near the end to finish the game off. However the Panthers didn’t give up and with the last kick of the game almost scored a second through Harry James.

Well done to Pinewood who deserved the victory.