Sunday 4th March Kimberley Miners Welfare Black U8 4 v 3 Priory Celtic Green U8

Kimberley Miners Welfare Black Under 8's started there first of three cup group games with a derby game against Priory Celtic Green in the YEL President’s Cup Group Stages. The wet cold conditions couldn’t have been any worse for the players and spectators as the rain came down just before kick off.

Kimberley where very quick out of the blocks starting very well with excellent play from the midfield Hindle in the central midfield position,Barlow on the left and Rosier on the right supplying the balls to the striker Palethorpe, the early pressure paid off, a pass from Hindle to Palethorpe, who turned and beat the Priory defender then the goalkeeper to score an excellent goal to make it 1-0 , Kimberley then where awarded a free kick out side the box, the free kick was taken by Barlow who struck a brilliant low, hard left footed free kick to the left of the Priory keeper making it 2-0. Kimberley continued the pressure with good runs and skill from Palethorpe, Rosier and Hindle, but it was Barlow’s corner kick which was deflected off a Priory player for an own goal making it 3-0 to Kimberley. The Kimberley defenders Hunt and Taylor were solid again both controlling the attacking Priory with some excellent timed tackles for most of the first half with Priory forcing a couple of excellent saves from the Kimberley goalkeeper Palmer but just before half time Priory pulled one back to make it 3-1. The second half started with Kimberley making two subs, Wrenn came on for Hindle in central midfield and Storer replaced Rosier on the right hand side, Priory started the second half the more lively of the two teams with more attacking pressure only to be stopped by Hunt, Taylor and the Goalkeeper Palmer. Kimberley responded with great play from Palethorpe, Barlow and Storer, Barlow came closest hitting the post with a good effort just in side the box. The pressure resulted in a goal for Kimberley a great strike from Wrenn making it 4-1, Priory stepped up a gear attacking in numbers working an excellent passing move and goal to make it 4-2, this game wasn’t for the faint hearted, Priory attacked again, catching out Kimberley who were deep in the Priory half making it 4-3, but Kimberley battled on to seal the victory. Overall the win was a great start to the Cup campaign for Kimberley but this game was a great display of football from both sides, credit to all the players involved as the game was played in a good fair sporting spirit in very wet cold conditions.

Ian Palethorpe