Match Report – 27th September, New Mills Juniors U8s Vipers vs Bollington United Sharks.

Super Saturday came round again for the Vipers to compete in their next fixture…and what a fixture it was.  A team they have not faced before but are always up to the task against any side.  We welcomed back Alistair and Jude but this week missed Thomas after his super strike last week.  Elliott would take the armband and Kingsley would share goalkeeping duties with Logan this week. Starting with Kingsley, Leo, Kit, Elliott Logan and Lily with Jude and Alistair ready to be our game changers from the sidelines.  

The game kicked off and both sides showed they were here to play a great football.  Both sides trying to move the ball around and create chances, but determined to not let their opponents have it their own way either.  Bollington eventually got the opening goals with stunning strikes.  The key thing about our Vipers though, is they never give up, their don’t let their heads drop, and if you relax for even a second…they bite back.  That is exactly what the Vipers did.  Unperturbed by Bollington’s goals all players on the field and those who came on during the first half, continued to play their football.  Lily was winning the ball in midfield setting up attacks, Kit and Elliott were up and down the flanks, with Jude and Alistair doing the same when they came on.  All trying to create chances for Logan in the middle.  Leo was a rock as ever at the back, winning the ball and playing neat passes forward.  After numerous chances came and went, the Vipers slithered one into the net when Kit was played through by his goalkeeper and he slotted it neatly into the corner with a cool finish.

Half time came and went – the message is usually the same – keep working hard, keep trying to pass the ball and chances will come.  Logan took the gloves and Kingsley stepped into midfield.  The second half, the vipers took control of the ball and would not let it go.  They constricted the Sharks to only a couple of shots which Logan was able to deal with, but they were devastating going forward.  Goals flowed from all areas with Elliott grabbing one with a cross which nestled neatly into the far corner, Kingsley scoring a well taken hattrick with excellent finishes into the corners.  He was full of running in the middle, determined and showed his strength in holding off defenders to power home.  Leo not only was shutting the door at the back he was creating too, noticing space for two of Kingsley’s goals.  Kit started and ended the scoring for the Vipers but it wasn’t all about the goals.  Lily was pivotal in the middle of the park with boundless energy, expertly timed tackles and great link up play.  Jude was very disciplined this week, showing his ability not only to go forward, but to cover at the back to help his team when needed.  Logan was sharp between the sticks, also trying to launch quick counters when he noticed the chance.  Alistair, really showed his skills today especially in the second half, taking players on and crossingthe ball.  He also had an effort at goal blocked but that next goal won’t be far away.

By the end of the game all spectators and coaches had witnesses a cracking game full of action, drama and two teams going toe-to-toe.  They both kept going playing football the right way to the final whistle which made the game even better for all to see.  

Well done Vipers, let’s keep going from strength to strength, we look forward to seeing what the next game has in store for us all….

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

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