Woodkirk Valley U6 1-1 Batley Juniors U6 A fantastic effort by both Woodkirk and Batley today in a close, exciting game. Woodkirk looked in control in the first half with with Matthews making several fantastic runs down the field only to be stopped by the Batley defence at the last hurdle. Batley did well on the counter attack but Wilson, Saddleworth and Thompson were upto the challenge in midfield. Edwards and Keyhani made some terrific interceptions at the back which set Matthews and Stead up with some good chances. When Batley did penetrate the Woodkirk defence, goalkeeper Bentley was there to make some fantastic saves. After a near miss Batley scored to take them 1-0 up at half time. Not to be deterred, Woodkirk started the second half in control again. P Larter and Baskerville looked dangerous on the run and with Bentley and Allen to help looked like scoring all the way through. Some superb tackling in midfield by Nielsen and Penny Larter made Woodkirk all the more dangerous. When Batley managed to get a run at goal Morris and McCarthy were there to intercept them. McCarthy followed this up with some dangerous runs down the wing, setting P Larter, Bentley and Baskerville up with more chances on goal. Some solid saves form Stead ensured that Batley didn't score in the second half. In the last minute of the game, after an unfortunate miss for Allen, P Larter scored an amazing goal from a free kick just outside the box to bring the scores level. Batley Juniors U7s 6-1 Woodkirk Valley (Golds) U7s 1 Once again the Woodkirk Valley had the luxury of fielding two full teams for their visit to Batley Juniors, and going on reputations, they would need some fresh legs today. It was a cool damp morning as the Gold team took to the field first. Batley set their stall out immediately as in the first minute, forced a corner. Keeper Sherwood being forced early on to make an effective save. Batley seemed to have all of the play in the first few minutes of this half, managing to hit the side netting and forcing several corners. As well as being punished by the Batley skill Woodkirk also had to brace themselves for some physical punishment, as Hemmins took several minutes to recover after he received a powerful shot to the chest. The Golds started to put some play together as Wilson (W) and Auty managed some effective interplay in mid field. But it wasn't long before the Batley skill shone through as they found their first goal from an attack down the right hand side: 1-0. As we all know the Gold team is not a team lacking in skill and responded well by some well work moves down the left. Unfortunately the Golds were forced to make a change in defence as Hemmins received a second ball, this time to the face, which was all too much for the battling defender. Saddington keen to come on, had to adapt from his normal attacking midfield role into the left side of defence. Woodkirk seemed to be finding their feet as Auty venturing up field, managed a shot on goal which just drifted wide of the post. Woodkirk's good work was appearing to pay off as Rodgers struck a beautiful free kick which the Batley keeper had to palm away, Woodkirk receiving only a corner for their hard work. At this point Batley realised if they sat back and waited, Woodkirk would punish. Batleys work rate increased as Shepherd was called into action several times, resisting as hard as he could to keep the ball out of the net. Batleys persistence paid off, when after having one goal disallowed, made sure they went into the break 2-0 up. Half time: 2-0. Saddington was called to demonstrate he had his grip on this new role as he forced a corner in the opening minutes of the second half. But once again Woodkirk were not going to lie down, as Rodgers hit a terrific cross which was unfortunate not to find Kilroy who was ready to pull the trigger in the Batley penalty area. Batley are a team who seem to be able to strike the ball well, as they demonstrated on 5 minutes as Shepherd managed to get his finger tips to the ball, but the Batley shot proved too powerful: 3-0. Not everything was going to get past Shepherd as Batley's number 7 played a defence splitting pass which was met with a terrific shot on goal. This time Shepherd made sure it was not going all the way. Although Woodkirk seemed to be having their fair share of the ball they were just unable to make everything count. On 8 minute Wilson (W) played a super ball which released Rodgers down the left hand side. The only result was a goal mouth scramble. Eventually Woodkirk managed to complete a move as Rodgers took a throw in and Leadsford hit a low powerful shot which found the Batley net: 3-1. The Golds didn't help themselves when they presented Batley with a gift playing the ball back into their own penalty area: 4-1. Rodger and Leadsford managed to try several attempts on goal in the closing minutes of the game, but most of them were from a range which did not bother the Batley keeper. Batley continue to have attempts on goal as their number 5 hit the post. But their number 4 was sure to make a shot count: 5-1. Once again Woodkirk responded well with a well taken free kick from Rodgers. But the Batley keeper pulled off a terrific save. Even though keeper Sherwood managed another fantastic save by tipping a powerful Batley goal onto his cross bar, Batley made sure of the victory in the dying seconds by scoring one more time: Full-time 6-1. MOM: Rodgers. Batley Juniors U7s 10-0 Woodkirk Valley (Whites) U7s Everyone wondered whether Batley's 'White' team would be as skillful as their 'Gold' team. The Woodkirk whites kicked off with 7 sets of fresh legs but under no illusion this would be an easy game. Woodkirk started brightly and seem to adjust well: Smith pulling off a good save early on and Parker releasing Martin with a good attacking ball in the opening minutes. But eventually Batley's skill level became apparent as in the 5th minute a goal mouth scramble ensued from a throw in and Batley found the back of the Woodkirk net: 1-0. The final score could have a lot worse if it wasn't for some super keeping by Smith, often calling on the use of his feet when the need arose. Parker was having a good game coming back from midfield to help out Wilson (L) and Williams (L) in defence several times during the game. But Batley proved too much for the Woodkirk defence and went into the break 4-0 up. Batley started as they meant to go on in the second half bagging their 5th early on. Once again Woodkirk did not help their cause finding the back of their own net 6 minutes into he second half: 6-0. Although Smith managed to pull off even more good saves Batley carried on finding their shooting range: 7-0. With Hemmins getting another run out because of his short appearance in the Gold game, luck was not on his side, as he received another ball to the chest mid way through the second half. He was replaced by Wilson (W) getting a second run out after a sterling effort in the Gold game. Although Woodkirk were suffering today, some Woodkirk moments shone through, with Parker and Edmondson linking up well in midfield. Edmondson once again managing to get some accurate throw-ins from the left hand side. But it was Batley's attacking force who shone brightest managing to bag another three before full time. Full time score 10-0. The game could be seen as a low point as it was the first time we have been beaten by double figures, but Batley Juniors are a well known quality outfit, and Woodkirk should regard this as a small set back on otherwise steady progression. | 
