Match Report – 08/11/25 – New Mills Vipers U8s vs Hillgate U8s Fred Can KO Cup.

This week the Vipers had their first cup game of the season against Hillgate, unfamiliar opponents, but ones we would face with our usual determination to do our best for ourselves and our teammates.  

It was also remembrance weekend which the team observed a minute silence perfectly before kickoff.  

The full squad was present for the game so Kingsley started in goal with Leo at centre back,  Alistair started on the right with Elliott on the left and captain for this week Thomas would start further forward alongside Logan.  Kit, Lily & Jude would be our game changers this week to come into the game and make their difference for the team.

The game started and the Vipers put Hillgate under pressure straight away, forcing them back with great pressure and high work rate from the whole team.  Elliott was a constant thorn on the left and was unlucky not to open the scoring with a few early efforts.  Logan was likewise getting early shots away which didn’t hit home.  Thomas was a force to be reckoned with this week with such high work rate, tackling prowess and linking up well with his teammates.  Alistair has grown more confident each week this season and was showing his dribbling and crossing skills this week, but these had been well defended.  

The opener came from an Alistair cross which was cleared wide to Logan who managed to shift the ball back into the box, Alistair had gambled on this and as the ball broke to him he hammered in his effort high into the net.  

Elliott managed to score with a breakaway goal which he finished superbly.  It’s not all about the attack though and Leo was disciplined and read the game perfectly at the back as usual, cutting out Hillgate attacks and launching Viper strikes like he does best.  Kingsley had a couple of efforts to deal with and did well with his passing from goal kicks which he gets better with each week.

Half way through the first half the game changers entered the game and this changed the game hugely.  Jude onto the left with Elliott going up front, Kit on the right for Alistair and Lily for Logan.  

Immediately Lily set about tackling the Hillgate players and showing how strong she is winning the ball often, sending the ball wide when she did for Jude and Kit to run with.  

Kit came on and after a few efforts at goal, decided he might be better crossing from the right, how right that decision was.  He proceeded to setup Elliott with a carbon copy goal not once, not twice but three times before half time.  Elliott knowing where to be like a great goal poacher should be with a great cross.

Everything didn’t just come down the right and what was great to see was Jude support those attacks from further back, knowing his defensive responsibility was still to be done, great work Jude.

Half time came before we knew it and the Vipers took on fluids and encouragement to keep playing the same, with the same enthusiasm and effort and they would have a positive second half.  Leo would take the gloves for the second half with Kingsley coming into midfield and Kit dropping to centre back for the 2nd half.  The second half carried on much the same as the first with great effort from all.  Every player carried on in the same vein as

the first but Hillgate came out fighting, but the defence stood tall and every player tackled from the front not allowing them to get their shots away.  

A new rule we have started this season is whoever is captain, decides who takes freekicks and penalties (if we get them). Thomas was picking who to take freekicks and we had a few different takers in the second half.  Kit stepped up to his effort from distance and smashed it home superbly getting himself on the scoresheet to match his assists from the first half.  There was still time for another goal for Elliott as well with Kit the provider again from the back, a long ball over the top was not dealt with by the defence and Elliott pounced with his striker instinct to notch another to his tally.

A superb cup tie was had by all and a great effort by the whole team and our awesome opponents.  On remembrance weekend, it truly was a performance to remember, well done Vipers we play again next week…

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers