Panthers pounce for league crown
JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLAIRE BARLOW
MACCLESFIELD Panthers Under 14s boys have been crowned champions of League Division 1 of the Stockport Metro League.
Having only been together three years, The Panthers cruised through Division 2 in their first year then came a healthy sixth position the season after.
This season didn’t get off to the best start losing the opening game to a strong Reddish Villa team. The Panthers responded well with an emphatic 7-0 win over Stockport Junior Blues.
Many more hard fought games followed with last year’s Division 1 winners and this year’s cup winners Poynton Vipers unable to take any points from Macc in either of the fixtures.
Marple
Athletic were one of the strong front runners.
Macc’s first tie was an away fixture resulting in Marple equalising in the dying seconds to secure an undeserved draw. The home leg was equally frustrating for the home team. Macc again dominated the game throughout and were winning but yet again with seconds to spare, Marple equalised.
Their record stood at 20 games, 14 wins, 3 draws, and just three losses come the end of the season, with 74 goals scored, which was third best in the division, but with a very impressive defensive record of only 29 goals conceded – the best in the division – it was enough to win a very close title race with 45 points just beating closest rivals Reddish Vulcans Galaxy by one point.
A memorable season saw the Panthers play some fantastic passing football. Great all round team effort.
Team photograph pictured from left to right; Coach Chris Pemberton, Felix O’Neill, Josh Clarke, James Chadwick, Alex Pearson, Rhys Mallard, Colin Midgeley, Euan Wallis, Asst coach Claire Barlow.
Front row: Joe Cobey, Sam Box, Luke Pemberton, captain Joel Barlow, James Duckworth, George Richardson and Thomas Smith, Cameron Kirkland.
On Saturday Macclesfield Panthers also won the U14s Egerton Tournament. Playing Madeley in the final winning on penalties.