39. Trying to See The Wood For The Trees

 

The season has so far gone pretty well and after ten games are in the hunt for the title, or a place in the play-offs again. The squad (for now) seem happy, settled and focused on the job in hand and a settled team is emerging, made up of a good mixture of youth and experience. Until....

Cresdee Loan Finishes

Olly Cresdee has returned to Farsley Celtic after their manager recalled him to the team as cover. He was also unhappy that I was not playing him as a poacher (even though I was) and to be honest his performances had been below par, scoring just twice and missing a load of chances, so off he goes..

Match 12: Marine U23s v Morley Town

The last time we crossed paths it ended up with us crashing out of the first Division Cup at the Quarter Final Stage and the team from Merseyside going on to win the trophy. They have not adapted to life well in the NW Counties Div 1 North though and lie in the relegation places. We have slipped to 5^th but have two games in hand on everyone else, so can climb up again provided we get the job done here against Marine. I make two changes. Wood replaces the vanquished Cresdee up front, while Bett-Wildsmith is rewarded for his heroics against Prestwich with a start on the right flank with Gutzmore dropping to the bench.

Morley Town: Thompson, Cotteril, J.Wilkinson, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Wright, Smith, Bett-Wildsmith, Ellis, Wood, Preston

Subs: Oldham, Jewson, Bentley, Gutzmore, O’Connor

Marine U23s: Nelligan, Kendrew, Grimshaw, Scott, Edwards, Hagen, Densmore-Pett, Riley, Gill, Vaulks, Prenderville

Match Action

Inevitably we dominate but a deflected shot from Riley has Thompson scrambling to push the ball away. Preston sees his far post header tipped over the bar by Nelligan. Karlos Bett-Wildsmith has picked up from where he left off and his run and shot is blocked by Kendrew. Then G.Wilkinson’s flying header from a Cotteril corner smacks the crossbar. Keep patience. The home side though have always carried a threat and Densmore-Prett’s close range effort was tipped over the bar by Thompson. Marine increase the pressure and a brilliant looping header from the resulting corner is cleared off the line by Cotteril. Then on 40 minutes we finally break the deadlock. Christie and Preston combine on the left, before the former sends Harry Wood sprinting down the left channel to get on the end of his pass. The defender misses the header in the flight of the ball and Wood manages to latch onto it and cross low for the waiting Ellis who bundles the ball home from close range. A hard earned 1-0 lead at half time.

The home side start the brightest and Prenderville hits the bar after wriggling free of Christie in the box. Meanwhile Kevin Preston has an angled shot brilliantly saved. On 66 minutes Marine attack and as the ball is played low into the area, sub Marlon Gutzmore steps across his man to try and intercept, but succeeds in tripping him over. Penalty. Vaulks fires into the corner. 1-1. I encourage the lads to find a winner and they sweep forwards with Sam Wright leading the charge, now playing as a midfield centre attack as I withdrew the ineffectual Aaron Smith for Sam Bentley just moments before the penalty. He lays it left to Sam Bentley who puts the ball onto his right side Bobby Charlton style and fires it goalwards which deflects off the defender and foxes the keeper as he can only palm the ball over the line. 2-1 Morley. Its end to end as we look to extend our lead and put the game to bed and Marine seek to equalise. Ellis releases Gutzmore down the left who cuts inside and fires a fierce drive which is brilliantly saved. The dangerous Gill gets down the left for Marine and his far post cross his nutted home by Cook. Desmond. But when we have our backs to the wall we somehow always find a way. Sam Wright’s brilliant ball down the left channel sends Gutzmore sprinting clear. His instant low cross is smashed high into the roof of the net than who else? The Angel Gabriel Ellis! 3-2! They then attack.. Surely not again... They nearly do but a flash header from Jack Vaulks skims the crossbar. Gutzmore has been sensational since he came on and had a couple of chances to put some gloss on result, but we see it through and win a hard earned three points on Merseyside. We move up to third.

Final Score: Marine U23s 2-3 Morley Town

Vaulks 68 (pen)                             Ellis 42,90

Cook 88                                          Bentley 72 

Match 13: Morley Town v Lepton Highlanders

Our friends from Huddersfield have proved to be a tough nut to crack recently and even enjoyed a 2-0 win at Glen Road last season as we self-destructed on the pitch. They have found this season harder going this time around and find themselves struggling in 17^th with just the rich boys of Alwoodley below them.

We go into the game in confident mood lying in third place and could go top with a win here. I slightly alter the formation to a 4-4-1-1 to combat their three, with Smith playing just off Gabriel Ellis up front. Joe Wilkinson is suspended so Bentley replaces him in central defence and young utility man, Marley Haylock starts in midfield.

Morley Town: Thompson, Cotteril, Bentley, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Haylock, Wright, Gutzmore, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Oldham, Jewson, Bett-Wildsmith, James, Wood

Lepton Highlanders: Johnson, Wheater, Ryan, Mensah, Bailey, Dovey, Chapman, Brown, Thirkell, Pierre-Louis, Davenport

Match Action

It’s a surprisingly even game with Lepton giving as good as they are getting. Davenport nods just over from an early corner, while Ellis has a goal ruled out for offside after Smith’s clever dummy. Smith then has a long range effort tipped over the bar. Then a brilliantly worked move involving, Smith, Wright and Preston results in Gutzmore’s shot brilliantly saved as we assert control on the game. Then a moment of history. Another brilliant move sees Preston run onto Haylock’s excellent 30 yard pass. His low cross is tapped home by the onrushing Ellis from two yards to score his 100^th Morley Town goal! Aaron Smith who has had a good game so far is upended and looks like he fell awkwardly on his ankle and limps off, replaced by Bett-Wildsmith. Lepton have not given up and from a corner they nearly equalise when Thirkell’s header is brilliantly saved on the line by Thompson. We lead by a goal to nil at the break. Into the second half and Kevin Preston makes a lung-bursting run through the centre of the pitch before veering out out to the left side of the area. He checks back and cuts back to the onrushing Marley Haylock who sidefoots the ball into the corner of the net via a deflection. He’s delighted, his first goal for Morley Town and a great moment for the young lad. The game moves on we look comfortable. But. Out of nowhere substitute Savlchuk picks up the ball and unleashes a long range effort which curls menacingly towards goal and clips the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net.. Out of the blue, Lepton are back in the game. The game ticks mercifully on, but a brilliant move from the visitors sees Pierre Louis wriggle free inside the box and his curling effort clips the post with Thompson beaten. The final whistle blows. A hard earned 2-1 win which sends us back to the top if the table. 

Match 14: Morley Town v Wythenshawe Amateurs – First Division Cup 2^nd Round

We begin the defence of the First Division Cup by hosting NW Div 1 South Side, Wythenshawe Amateurs. This trophy though is not a priority for me this season, as promotion in the league is far more important. Therefore I have left its defence to the capable hands of the Class of ’26 and some of the squad players to give them some minutes. Our opponents lie in 6^th place in their league, so are having a good season.

Morley Town: Oldham, Jewson, Bentley, Goulding, Bentham, Haylock, Bett-Wildsmith, James, O’Connor, Wood, Wollerton-Smithies

Subs: Mohan, Wright, Priestley, Gregson, J. Wilkinson

Wythenshawe Amateurs: Barnsley, Burrows, Spellman, Taylor, Wilson, Rufus, Duke, Maher, Johnson, Mills, Kirk

Match Action

The visitors have an early chance when Johnson heads just over. Then Harry Wood’s snapshot is well saves at the near post by Barnsley. On Twelve minutes though Wythenshawe win a throw and Burrows feeds Maher, whose instant pass to Rufus inside undoes the Morley defence and he lashes it home from close range. That was all a little bit too easy. We reply instantly. Woolerton Smithies feeds Wood down the left channel, but his shot is beaten away at the near post by Barnsley. It’s death by a thousand throw ins and one finds its way onto the head of Rufus who scores their second with a fierce downwards header. Wollerton-Smithies has been one of the best players on the park and he gallops down the left before squaring for Martin O’Connor to fire home from close range. 2-1 Wythenshawe. We end the first half the stronger team and look most likely to equalise.. but such are the FM gods out of absolutely nowhere Wythenshawe win a free kick right on the edge of the box. Johnson steps up and fires it high into the top corner A sucker punch before half time. We respond and a beautiful move sees Harry Wood’s shot brilliantly saved after being slipped in by Wollerton-Smithies. 3-1 down but the youngsters have played well and have been unlucky. The second half doesn’t get any better though. Bobby Mills strides forward and unleashes a stunning shot which sails into the top corner. 4-1 Wythneshawe.. This is getting a little embarrassing... Well the defence of our crown is over before it has even started. Suddenly though we start to dominate and play with freedom and carve out a few chances in the process. Haylock fires over from the edge of the area, O’Connor then has a shot brilliantly tipped over by Barnsley. Then Lee James runs down the right wing and his cross is met by the head of Harry Wood who nuts the ball into the top corner. 4-2. Then on 77 minutes young prodigy, Alfie Priestley picks up the ball and runs menacingly at the Wythenshawe defence. He twists and turns before awwww!! What a goal from the youngster! It flies into the top corner.. It’s 4-3.. The first senior goal for the 16 year old midfielder. Take a bow son! Roared on by the ultras who have suddenly come to life we wi

in the ball in midfield and fly forward. Lee James again down the right after being played in by sub Joe Wilkinson. His low cross finds HARRY WOOD AT THE FAR POST!!! Morley Town 4 Wythenshaw 4 Back from the dead from 4-1 down. Unbelievable Jeff! The referee blows the full time whistle. This cup tie will be decided on penalties.

Penalty Shoot Out

Wythenshawe will take the first penalty..

Ryan Robbins..- Sends Oldham the wrong way and fires into the top corner.

Sam Wright for Morley.. Finds the corner with the keeper guessing the right way.

McGeoch... low into the corner.

Harry Wood for Morley.. Fires straight into the top corner with the keeper diving the other way.

Bobby Mills... SAVED by OLDHAM.. straight at him!

Martin O’Connor... Emphatically into the top corner.. keeper dives the wrong way.

Jordan Lemon... Finds the top corner Oldham diving the wrong way.

Hugo Jewson.. Fires low into the bottom corner Keeper doesn’t move

Spellman to keep Wythenshawe in it... Finds the top corner..

Lee James to win it for Morley Town.... He runs up.. and smashes into the top corner..

MORLEY TOWN WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES.. WHAT A GAME WHAT A COMEBACK..

AMAZING!

First Division Cup Third Round Draw

We will play NW Div 1 South high flyers, Alsager Town at Glen Road.

Hugo Jewson being Annoying

My versatile defender is somebody who as a footballer I hold in high regard and thought was an excellent prospect at the club. He even scored a penalty in the recent shoot out against Wythenshawe. However he has had a little paddy because apparently he has not been starting enough games and is unhappy that I have not strengthened the squad, even though we have a raft of promising youngsters at the club and because to coin a lyric from a Simply Red song, money is too tight to mention for Morley right now. I promised him I would start him in the next few games and that it was up to him to prove me wrong, but he was still angry, so you know what... he will get his wish and start more games... for the U18s starting with their home fixture against Kettering Under 18s. That’ll teach you for being an annoying little **** Hugo!

 

Match 15: Morley Town v Bacup Borough

There was a reason I put the kids out against Wythenshawe in the cup and that was because I knew I had this fixture next. Decarrey Sheriff and co are in town.. They roll into West Yorkshire one point behind us in second place and in very good form. Needless to say the big guns return with Ellis, Smith and co back in the starting line up. Morgan Penfold is their dangermouse.. sorry dangerman on the right wing...

Morley Town:  Thompson, Cotteril, J.Wilkinson, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Bentley, Wright, Preston, Smith, Ellis, Gutzmore

Subs: Oldham, Haylock, Bett-Wildsmith, Wood, James

Bacup Borough: Martey, Ferguson, Potter, Ryan, Fallon, Penfold, Scruton, Nolan, Watson, Ridge, Sheriff

Match 14: Morley Town v Bacup Borough

There was a reason I put the kids out against Wythenshawe in the cup and that was because I knew I had this fixture next. Decarrey Sheriff and co are in town.. They roll into West Yorkshire one point behind us in second place and in very good form. Needless to say the big guns return with Ellis, Smith and co back in the starting line up. Morgan Penfold is their dangermouse.. sorry dangerman on the right wing...

Morley Town:  Thompson, Cotteril, J.Wilkinson, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Bentley, Wright, Preston, Smith, Ellis, Gutzmore

Subs: Oldham, Haylock, Bett-Wildsmith, Wood, James

Bacup Borough: Martey, Ferguson, Potter, Ryan, Fallon, Penfold, Scruton, Nolan, Watson, Ridge, Sheriff

Match Action

Bacup, clad in their Barbie pink kit kick off, but it is us who make the early running, forcing a few early corners. Then they win a free kick and the ball breaks to Sheriff on the edge of the area, who rifles in a shot brilliantly turned behind by Thompson. Then on 16 minutes, their right back Ferguson has the ball and Gutzmore is chasing him.. My young winger unfortunately slides in two footed on him from behind.. A straight red card for a shocking tackle by the youngster. He'll learn.

I try going three at the back with Christie and Preston playing as wing backs, but we just don't look comfortable playing this way, so Aaron Smith gives way to wide man, Lee James who slots in on the right with Preston switching to the left and Ellis up front by himself. It’s still an even game with no quarter asked no quarter given. But on 37 minutes a poor goal kick from Thompson lands on the head of Fallon who finds Sheriff, who links with Ridge and then Scruton running through from midfield Thompson does brilliantly to parry his shot onto the bar from close range but the ball falls  to the Sheriff who taps the rebound into the empty net... 1-0 Bacup. 1-0 at half time.

We don’t start the second half well. Nolan gets down the left and his low cross is turned home instantly by Watson to double our misery. I make a couple of changes and throw on Harry Wood up front with Ellis and Bett-Wildsmith for Bentley in midfield Suddenly we look more balanced. Ellis is starting to cause havoc down the right channel and from one such tireless run he set the ball back to Karlos Bett-Wildsmith who swings his boot more in hope than expectation and the ball flies into the top corner. Brilliant 2-1!

It’s end to end. Sheriff misses an absolute sitter when Bacup break away and play their one man advantage perfectly. They breakaway again and Penfold speeds down the right wing. Sam Wright is chasing him but only succeeds in tripping him over. Penalty. Sheriff steps up and does the rest. Just not our day today.. George Wilkinson is not finished though and when he nods home a Robbie Christie corner it gives us a glimmer of hope. But its too little too late. The final whistle goes before we can launch a decent attack. All in all not a bad effort considering we were down to ten for most of the match.

Final Score: Morley Town 2-3 Bacup Borough

 

Kevin Preston makes 100^th Morley Town appearance

This is an extra special milestone for us because not only is he just 19 years old, Kevin Preston is the first player to come through the ranks at the club as a homegrown player.

Appearances: 100

Goals: 18

Assists: 38

Average Rating: 7.15

Marlon Gutzmore handed 3 match ban

Young winger, Marlon Gutzmore has been suspended for three matches after his horror tackle against Bacup Borough.

Match 15: Squire’s Gate v Morley Town

Another top of the table clash beckons as we travel to Blackpool to take on second placed Squire’s Gate, who are just one point above us in the table. I’m ditching 4-4-2 and go in with a 4-2-1-3 which seeks to get in amongst them in midfield and then break quickly. Kain Worsnop starts as an attacking right back and Ellis, Wood and Smith make up a three pronged forward line. We’ll see how this goes.

Morley Town: Thompson, Worsnop, Cotteril, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Bentley, Wright, Bett-Wildsmith, Smith, Ellis, Wood

Subs: Oldham, J.Wilkinson, Preston, Haylock, Haggett

Squire’s Gate: Chamberlain, Richards, Myers, Sawyer, Byrne, Opuku, Awford, Boyd, G.Johnson, C.Johnson, Appeh

Match Action

This is a different way of playing but our high press nearly pays off when Myers is panicked into giving the ball straight to Ellis, but his weak effort is easily saved. Then Bett-Wildsmith releases Smith down the right and he cleverly plays it back to the youngster whose shot is beaten away at the near post. We look good but the home side pose a threat, especially through Appeh. On 38 minutes from a cleared corner Byrne has a low shot brilliantly turned round the post by Thompson. Then Challis Johnson bursts clear of two defenders but spoons his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Goaless at the break.

Into the second half and we face wave after wave of Squires Gate attacks. Challis Johnson is posing a threat in behind and misses several chances to open the scoring. Then Wright sends Ellis clear with a brilliant through ball, but our talisman finds the wrong side of the post when he should have done better. I make three substitutions. Haylock for Christie at left back, Preston for Wood and Callum Haggett for George Wilkinson. I revert a 4-2-3-1, with Bentley dropping back to centre half, Wright and Haggett in midfield with KBW on the right, Preston left and Smith just off Ellis. Suddenly there is more space in midfield to exploit. Smith bursts forward. He finds Ellis ahead of him which checks back and slips in Callum Haggett who has sneaked in unmarked. Haggett!! Finds the top corner with a powerful finish. Smash and Grab! We attack again with Smith finding plenty of space to Ellis to Haggett again.. who is tripped. Penalty. Up steps the Angel to seal it.. Saved by Chamberlain! He is destined not to score today. No matter though we see it through and march back to the top of the table. A classic away performance against one of the best sides in the league.

Final Score: Squire’s Gate 0-1 Morley Town

                                                       Haggett 84

Jewson Leaves Morley

My annoying little defender, Hugo Jewson has signed for Bromsgrove Sporting, but my squad are unhappy about it for some reason, which is strange because he’s only been here for 5 minutes. It’s not like it was a Sam Wright or a Gabriel Ellis, who are integral to the team??

Morley Town Sign Harry Wood (Harry Tree)

A mate of a mate’s dog’s Auntie’s second cousin recommended me this 26 year old midfielder. The only problem is that we now have two Harry Woods in the team, so I have nicknamed him “Harry Tree” instead to save confusion.

 

Match 16: Morley Town v Campion

We take on our old foes from Bradford with a chance to go back to the top of the league. Our opponents have not fared so well this season and lie down in 16^th and deep in relegation trouble. Nevertheless they still line up in their awkward Christmas Tree formation with two number 10s behind a lone striker.

Morley Town: Thompson, Worsnop, Cotterill, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Wright, Harry Tree, James, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Oldham, Bentley, Bett-Wildsmith, Wood, Haylock

Campion: Mettam, Rye, Saidy, Richards,Bailey, Winder, Liversedge, Baker, Day, Hull,  Kelly

Match Action

We make the running in the first ten minutes and carve out a couple of half chances with Sam Wright skying one over the bar when he should have showed more composure and then Harry Tree drills in a low shot which is brilliantly turned round the post. Campion have looked dangerous on the break with Archie Day posing a threat running into the channels. Harry Tree has impressed on his debut and he skims a shot just wide of the upright. Then Kevin Preston cuts in from the left and curls one just over the bar. No goal as the break. I gee them up at half time and replace Aaron Smith with Harry Wood. Immediately from the kick off he runs in behind and is only thwarted by a good tackle from the defender. The ball breaks to Lee James on the right who makes half a yard before crossing far post which is cleared, but only as far as Kevin Preston who cuts into the penalty area beore guiding a low shot with pinpoint accuracy into the far corner of the net. Brilliant finish. Campion respond. We simply cannot get the ball off them as they attack us from all angles like a well drilled La Liga side.. We are 1-0 up at home but defending for our lives. It only takes one good pass and this comes from dangerman, Archie Day who sends striker Connor Kelly through on goal after another fine

move and he slots the ball past Thompson for the equaliser. Roared on by the Ultras we try to regain the ascendency, but Campion are awkward opponents who pass and move quickly and we cannot keep up with them. Sam Bailey gets down the right and his hanging cross is met by the head of Connor Kelly and the ball loops over Thompson and under the crossbar to give Campion an unlikely 2-1 lead.. I fire the team up and they attack with Harry Tree leading the charge.. but the visitors have an annoying habit of scoring when you least want them to. This time Ryan Winder seizes on the ball and wriggles through the ailing Morley defence before firing confidently past Thompson. What a disaster of a second half.. Campion exact their revenge for their First Division Cup defeat. Meanwhile we are left to lick our wounds as we miss the chance to go top of the table. A bad day at the office but all is not lost. There’s still plenty of football to be played this season.

Final Score: Morley Town 1-2 Campion

Match 17: Nelson v Morley Town

We travel to Nelson itching to return back to our early season form which has propelled us into the second place and just a point behind leaders, Squire’s Gate. I therefore return to the XI who got us there, minus Marlon Gutzmore who is serving the longest red card suspension on record, perhaps just behind Eric Cantona’s in 1995... and Marlon only Kung-fu kicked the player, not a supporter..

Nelson are having a good season and lie in 4^th place with title aspirations of their own. Always a good side in this league they have the dangerous Brandon Longcake up front.

Morley Town: Thompson, Cotteril, Bentley, G.Wilkinson, Christie, Wright, Tree, Bett-Wildsmith, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Oldham, J.Wilkinson, Haylock, Wood, James

Nelson: Town, Scott, Cock, Kean, Riddell, Cottrel, Simons, Forbes, Dale, Riley, Longcake

Match Action

We start brightly and force an early corner, but such is our luck right now, Nelson score with their first real attack. Simons is afforded far too much space in midfield and he strides forward before unleashing a sizzling drive which flies past Thompson into the bottom corner.. Then it’s just all Nelson. We can’t get the ball off them and when we do we just punt it downfield and give possession back to them... This is Pathetic! Pathetic performance. Town punts the ball downfield from a goal kick and Bentley misses the header, letting Riley in. His powerful shot nearly breaks the back of the net as it whistles past the hapless Thompson. Pathetic! This is a disgraceful performance! I am so annoyed with my keeper, Thompson that I substitute him off after 32 minutes. Reserve keeper Joseph Oldham comes on to replace him. We actually end the half the stronger team and even fashion a chance when a nicely worked move sees Ellis diverts a Jayden Cotteril cross goalwards, only for Town to save remarkably with his feet. That was our first attempt on goal. Just how our luck is right now. I tell the team exactly what I think of them at half time.

Into the second half and it seems the players listened and we look more like our true selves, but crucially fail to score. Ellis forces another fine save from Town and Preston thought he’s scored when his half volley clipped the bar. On 64 minutes we win a corner, but is headed clear. It is retrieved by Ellis on the left edge of the area. He jinks past the defender then cuts inside on his right foot before curling the ball sumptuously into the far corner. A moment of magic from The Angel and we are back in the game. In a now rare Nelson attack Riddell gets down the left and crosses. It’s only half clear and Riley jumps highest to head weakly towards goal. The ball slips under Oldham’s grasp and trickles into the corner of the net for the softest goal you will see at any level and sums everything up., 3-1 Nelson. Zack Dale has been a constant thorn in our side this afternoon and his cut back is drilled home by Simons for his second. It’s exactly what we deserve. Outplayed and outfought in every department. It was a long, silent trip back to West Yorkshire.

Final Score: Nelson 4-1 Morley Town

Simons 8,83                                Ellis 65

Nelson 33,

A topsy turvy period in the season which has seen us (somehow) keep in touch with the top of the table as no team can take control of the league with a run of wins. Can Morley be the ones to put a run together and take the NW Counties League Division One North by the scruff of the neck, or will it all fall off a cliff? Find out nest time on the Ultimate English Pyramid Game!