****Tue 9th March - League table is now up to date - we stand 4th.****
 Whaley u12's played improved Inter Macc Eagles at home today. The pitch was firm and had thawed after a heavy frost. Macc were a big side and their physical presence countered our finesse.

We started up the slope but soon went behind after a hopeful cross looped up and went over the head of Dranfield in goal who could only parry it into the net. We started to press forward but again were caught offside on numerous occasions as Macc held a high defensive line. We eventually got one right and Lomas broke clear to fire confidently passed the keeper just before half time to make it 1-1.

With the slope in our favour in the second half we looked to press the advantage and within a couple of minutes Barnett, who had just come on, broke well down the left and fired into the opposite corner to make it 2-1. Whelan then had a chance when through but pulled his shot wide and followed up with two strikes from corners, the second brought a great save from their keeper. We looked comfortable but failed to increase the lead. We were to rue this as Macc then equalised from a corner that we failed to clear. Their height was causing problems and another corner from the left was swung in and although our keeper got his hands to it, it fell nicely for them to smash into the net. 2-3 down and we were in big bother, but we carried on pushing and with just 2 minutes left on the clock Barnett forced his way clear. His cross was fumbled by their keeper and Barlow followed up quickly and the ball was finally forced over the line by Whelan to make it 3-3.

I guess Macc would feel a bit unlucky but overall a draw was about right, and we have been on the other end of late goals recently so this helps even it up. This puts a further dent in our promotion push but 1 point is better than none, as we wait for a couple of other results (Didsbury 2 Dynamoes 3 - both have now lost 3 vs our 4 + 2 draws, and Lisbon 2 Spurley 7). Next week sees us face 2^nd placed Didsbury at home again who we beat 5-1 in the opening fixture but they have netted 8 in their last 2 games and look a major danger.

Today’s man of the match goes to Joel for his goal and contribution to the 3^rd.       

Team: Dranfield, Austin, Hill, Vernon, Barlow, Vann, Harvey, Meads, Bagley, Whelan (1), Lomas (1). Subs Hill Currington Barnett (1)