PENTLAND PANTHERS UNITED U12 (1996) MATCH REPORTS & FIXTURES

PENTLAND PANTHERS UNITED U12 (1996) MATCH COMMENTS

11/05/08 - PANTHERS 1 - 4 LOCHEND UNITED

After a recent 15-2 "friendly" win, Panthers approached this match with optimism. This game was played at Campbell Park in great conditions for football. However Lochend were able to take advantage of their club structure to strengthen their team for this match and such a "set up" was to prove be to their advantage. Panthers started brightly and passed up three great chances within the fist ten minutes. Lochend scored twice with possibly their only two chances of the first half to enjoy a winning position at the interval. Credit to Panthers for staying focused after the restart, as they got back into the game through a well taken goal by Cameron Forbes. Lochend went on to score two further goals and complete a remarkable transformation from the last meeting between the sides. Panthers will regret not taking the early chances that came their way, but can have no complaints about the final result.

04/05/08 - PANTHERS 2 - 14 INVERLEITH SPARTANS

Panthers came up against a Spartans team on top form in this league match played at Campbell Park. Spartans were first to almost every ball and in truth they played at a level, that the Panthers could not get to grips with. Panthers can rest easy in the knowledge that it should be a long time before they come up against a team as good as this. On a day to forget for the Panthers, Calum Fraser and Scott Hannah, netted consolation goals.

23/04/08 - BOROUGHMUIR GIRLS 2 - 11 PANTHERS

Panthers travelled to Meggetland for their third league game of the year and were eager to do well after two dissapointing results in their opening matches. It was to be a case of third time lucky as the Panthers took the game to their hosts straight from the start. The Boroughmuir keeper had some fine saves to deny Panthers from taking the lead, but could do nothing to prevent Panthers striker Michael Ahari from scoring the first goal of the game. After blocking his first effort, she was unable to prevent him from slotting home the rebound. Panthers welcomed back their own goalkeeper Ryan Gallagher to the side, but he was unable to prevent Boroughmuir from drawing level, after a neat finish to a flowing move. Scott Hannah then placed a shot in the top corner from 15 yards to score possibly the best goal of the game. Panthers then went on to dominate the rest of the first half, scoring four more times. Boroughmuir did net again but it was their visitors who enjoyed a 6-2 half time lead. Panthers again dominated the second half scoring a further five goals. The Panthers scorers on the night were Michael Ahari 3, Jack Napier 3, Scott Hannah 2, Ben Sweeney 2 and Cameron Forbes 1

16/04/08 - PANTHERS 2 - 9 INCH COLTS

Campbell Park was the venue for the third meeting of the year between Panthers and Inch Colts. The Panthers went into the match in confident mood after two previous victories against their visitors. However Inch Colts were to prove much tougher opposition on this occasion, and had a few unfamiliar faces to boost there squad. This was a game that Panthers will want to forget in a hurry as the 9-2 scoreline was a true reflection on play. Panthers scorers on the night were Jack Napier and Michael Ahari.

13/04/08 - INVERLEITH SPARTANS WHITE 7 - 3 PANTHERS

This was the Panthers first game in four weeks, due to opposition call offs and holiday commitments. The game was played at Inverleith Park in great weather. The Panthers were slow out of the blocks and it was the Spartans who threatened to put the game out of reach with a very bright start. Spartans opened the scoring when a Panthers defender put the ball past his own keeper when there seemed little danger, and in truth this was a day when lady luck totally deserted a hard working Panthers team. Panthers tried in vain for an equalizer but the ball would not run kindly, and Spartans then added two goals to take a 3-0 lead. The Panthers then staged a fightback, and went into half time 3-2 down after Aiden Barlow then Jack Napier managed to breach the Spartans defence. Panthers had the better of the opening stages in the second half and were starting to pass the ball well. They did not manage to score in this period however, with the Spartans keeper pulling of some great saves and it was the Spartans who increased their lead 10 minutes after the restart. The Panthers cause was not helped by another unfortunate own goal on a day when things would not go their way. Ryan Gallagher then had a fine double save to keep the Panthers within touching distance. Calum Stewart then scored Panthers third goal, but Spartans were not to be denied and went on to score 3 more times for a rather flattering 7-3 win.

02/03/08 - PANTHERS 15 - 2 LOCHEND UNITED

This was the Panthers last friendly game before the start of their league season. The match was played at Campbell Park in slippery underfoot conditions, and it was the Panthers who adapted to the surface quickest to race into a 9-0 half time lead. The Panthers started the second half with every outfield player playing in an unfamiliar position, as their coaches took the opportunity to give them positional experience. However the Panthers still managed to outplay their visitors and extended their lead to finish with a final score of Panthers 15 Lochend Utd 2. Panthers scorers on the day were, Michael Ahari 3, Jack Napier 3, Rafe Johnson 3, Calum Stewart 2, Ben Sweeney 2, Cameron Forbes 1 and Calum Fraser 1

24/02/08 - PANTHERS 2 - 0 INCH COLTS

After two away matches, The panthers returned to a windy Campbell Park for this friendly game. It was the Panthers who created the better chances in the first half, but were unable to convert as the Inch Colts goalkeeper showed great positioning to thwart both Ben Sweeney then Calum Fraser. While at the other end, fit again Panthers keeper Ryan Gallagher showed great awareness to deny Inch Colts from taking the lead. Panthers started the second half brightly, and it wasnt long before they took the lead. Aiden Barlow made a surging run down the right bofore delivering a great cross for Ben Sweeney to head home. Panthers then came under pressure, as the visitors tried to force an equaliser. However they were unable to do so, as they came up against a Panthers keeper who was on top of his game. Ryan Gallagher was in great form and denied Inch Colts on four seperate occasions to maintain his teams slender lead. Panthers sealed victory with five minutes remaining, when Ben Sweeney found space in the box to cheekily back heel his second goal of the game.

19/02/08 - JOPPA UNITED 2 - 4 PANTHERS

The Panthers returned to the Jack Kane centre for another floodlit friendly with Joppa Utd. The fog made playing conditions difficult for the players but credit to both teams for producing another entertaining match. Panthers took an early lead when a Joppa defender turned a dangerous cross into his own net. Chances were few in the first half, but Joppa did manage to convert one five minutes from the break. The Panthers managed to restore their lead ten minutes into the second half, when Calum Stewart claimed his second goal of the season. However their lead was short lived as Joppa scored an equaliser with a strike that gave stand in keeper for the night, Aiden Barlow, no chance. Aiden then had a great save to deny Joppa the lead, as Joppa enjoyed their best period of the game. The Panthers showed great resolve to keep the score level, before going on to enjoy their own best spell, which was rewarded with two goals in the last ten minutes, courtesy of Cameron Forbes who claimed his first two goals for the club with two excellent strikes, each from the edge of the penalty box.

17/02/08 - NEWCRAIGHALL VICS 2 - 3 PANTHERS

This friendly match was played at Newcraighall and proved to be a hard fought encounter. It didnt take the Panthers long to take the lead through Ben Sweeney, in their third friendly match of the year, but it must be said, that it was against the run of play. Newcraighall Vics proved to be a very strong and able side and while they enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half, they only managed one goal for their efforts. The second half started all square and again every ball was keenly contested. The Panthers found it difficult to produce the passing football that they have been developing in the two previous friendlies, but coaches Colin and Andy were delighted in the way that the panthers players fought for a foothold in the game. The Panthers determination was rewarded when Ben Sweeney netted an equaliser and the Panthers went on to claim their third win in as many games when Michael Ahari kept a cool head to slot home the winner.

10/02/08 - PANTHERS 3 - 2 INCH COLTS

This evenly contested friendly match was played in great weather at Campbell park. The only surprise in this game was that it took until the second half for the deadlock to be broken! The panthers scoring 3 times within 15 minutes of the restart. Calum Stewart claimed his first goal of the season, before Ben Sweeney grabbed a double. Inch Colts fought back, and managed to net twice in the closing stages.

15/01/08 - JOPPA 6 - 7 PANTHERS

This floodlit friendly was played in great spirit at the Jack Kane centre. Both sides attempted to play passing football at every opportunity and it didnt take long for the goals to start coming. At one stage the Panthers held a 4-1 lead, but were unable to stop Joppa from mounting a comeback to level the scores. Credit to the Panthers though for continuing their passing game which enabled them to claim a 7-6 win. Panthers scorers on the night were James Allan 3, Michael Ahari 2, Ben Sweeney 1, Scott Hannah 1