The newly formed CBH “All-Rounders” U13s played their first football match versus top of the table Chester Junior League side, Upton Pumas U13s. In dank conditions at Dale Barracks, on a heavy pitch, the All-Rounders put on a sparkling display of skill and endeavour against a very strong Upton side.

In true pro style, experienced team coaches Tom Wyatt and George Metcalf warmed the lads up with their usual authoritative double-act. – Meanwhile, the manager finally identify the correct pitch, as we re-located to the other side of Dale Barracks playing fields to line up for the off. The All-Rounders finally lined-up as follows:

Will Fisher (GK)
Dan Pond
Reg Wyatt
Max Wade
Hannah Snape
Ben Marsland
Louis Molyneux
Archie King
Jack Furmiston
Noah Vickery
Joe O’Brien

Alex Cotton, Sub, Came on after 10 mins, players rotated as sub every 10 minutes.

After skipper Reg Wyatt miraculously won the toss, he turned the teams around to play with the breeze in the first half. The All-Rounders camped in the opposition half for the first 10 minutes with Noah Vickery, Archie King and Ben Marsland dominating the midfield exchanges early on. Then, with two swift break-outs, Upton got in behind and the All-Rounders found themselves 2:0 down after just 20 minutes – where did that come from…..?!

At this point, the newly formed football team of cricketers showed its unity and steel: With continued optimism and belief, the All-Rounders stepped it up and had a 15 minute spell of real poise and class. Step forward Noah Vickery and Joe O’Brien: Running strongly into the channels, the two speedsters up-front received quality supply from Jack Furmiston, Hannah Snape and Archie King. As the referee blew his whistle for half-time, the All-Rounders had shocked the opposition (and the author) by slotting 3 goals in just 15 minutes, to take a 3:2 lead at half time. Joe O’Brien had already bagged the match-ball with his first half hat-trick which had edged the All-Rounders in front at the break!

A quick turn-around and into the second half - and into the breeze. Upton Pumas started to press and the All-Rounders back four of Dan Pond, Reg Wyatt, Max Wade and Hannah Snape held firm early on. The defence played as a solid unit for the whole game, with Will Fisher directing operations in a superbly calm and collected fashion between the sticks. Finally, the All-rounders resistance broke with Upton equalising - 3:3 – some 15 minutes into the second half. Again, the All-Rounders bounced back: A sweeping move from the right side and O’Brien was in the right channel once again to run beyond the defence and slot number 4: - 4:3 - with 15 minutes to go.

Tired legs started to come into play on the heavy pitch but the All-Rounders kept fighting. – With pressure coming on the back-four defence once again, a good back pass from Max Wade bobbled very badly and a sliced clearance from the back fell unfortunately to an on-running Upton striker - 4:4 – 10 minutes to play.

Back up the other end, the All-Rounders midfield rallied with Louis Molyneux, Alex Cotton and Jack Furmiston all showing great energy in the latter stages. A forced throw-in near the right-hand Upton corner-flag and Hannah Snape charged across the pitch to take her trade-mark long throw-in. – In came the long throw, speared towards the throng of players in the 6-yard box. - Somehow missed by all, the ball bounced centre-goal and in came Jack Furmiston at the back post to head home - 5:4 - with 7 minutes to play!!

Again, the well marshalled All-Rounders back-four, plus Marsland and King in front, was holding firm despite the increased pressure from Upton. Then, corner on the left side for Upton with 5 minutes to play. The in-swinger to the back post looked to have been dealt with comfortably by skipper Wyatt as he rose majestically above the crowds in the box, until, unfortunately, the ball rebounded backwards into the net. - 5:5 - . It was great to see the All-Rounders finding such amusement amongst themselves at such an unfortunate goal….a demonstration of the great spirit and sense of humour between the players – great to see….

The final whistle – 5:5 – what a game, and played in the exactly the right spirit! Great performances all around the pitch from the All-Rounders and a great result against a top team. Well done to all the players on both sides.

We are hoping to play the next All-Rounders U13s fixture at the Cricket Club when there is another gap in the Chester Junior League fixtures, or during the mid-week when the lighter evenings arrive with us in March. Looking forward to it , but for now, I am off for a lie down….

Mike Snape