Match Report – 29th November – New Mills Vipers U8s vs Buxton YB Green.

Always a buzz when the Vipers are playing but an extra special buzz when it’s a cup weekend.  Last 16 and the Vipers would face Buxton YB Green. We faced their other team last week who were well drilled and talented, but our Vipers are too and ready any opponent.  

We were without Thomas this week due to a knee injury but he came down to cheer his teammates on, love that team spirit Thomas!

Alistair was captain this week starting on the right with Jude on the left.  Leo would be up in the centre with Logan and Lily starting further forward and Kingsley started with the gloves.  Kit and Elliott would be our game-changers this week, hoping to make that difference from the sideline.

The game got underway in a tight cup affair fashion with both teams eager not to give an inch, while trying to get on top.  

Buxton had the early openings, but we lost Alistair due to an ankle injury early on with Kit switching in.  Kit managed to create the opening goal for the Vipers playing Logan through to smash the ball home.  Logan’s direct running caused Buxton problems just as much as Lily’s incessant will to win the ball.  Her bravery in the tackle has always been her biggest strength but her decision making after winning the ball is getting better every game.  Whether, dribbling, passing or shooting, she is making different decisions each time and it’s awesome to see.  

Jude is another who is brave in the challenge, but now he is combining this with a desire to get forward, run and cross the ball.  

Jude created more chances which Buxton defended well.  We had worked on defensive shape this week with our back 3 shuffling across the pitch to cover where the ball was.  Marshalled by Leo in the middle, Kit, Jude and Elliott and Alistair all moved positions well to keep a good shape and line to defend Kingsley’s goal.  Buxton though showed their quality with Kingsley called upon to make a number of saves to keep the score close.  Alistair managed to shake his early injury and came back on in the first half, Elliott also entering the fray.  Elliott was full of running as always causing Buxton difficulty but Logan was the one who popped up with a second strike, running through the defence and slotting coolly into the corner.

At half time, both teams took a well-earned break as the first half had been a little frantic at times – a good old fashioned cup tie.  Jude took the gloves for Kingsley to come out further forward with Leo taking his break and Logan dropping into defence.  

Buxton came out firing in the second half but the Vipers when coiled in a corner, are not to be underestimated and are never finished.  The momentum in the game shifted back with a number of chances created.  

Elliott had several chances but Buxton’s keeper had magnets in his gloves, Kit was causing havoc down the left, committing defenders and crossing dangerously but he also had chances he couldn’t quite finish.  Alistair though had come up for one Vipers corner which broke to him to fire home with a great finish  Alistair deserved that goal with the great work rate up and down the right side.  Logan was protecting Jude as best he could and Jude even made a flying stop which almost came off his face – awesome bravery JJ! Lily led the line brilliantly, not allowing Buxton players to settle on the ball – she reminded me of Tevez (Utd days…) constantly pressing and being a menace – often winning the ball back high up the pitch.  

When Leo came back on, he slotted back into his usual rhythm of reading the game, picking his moment to strike and winning the ball – like a perfect Viper – his distribution is always on point as well.  Kingsley in the middle was trying his hardest to create space for himself and teammates but Buxton marshalled him well and his shots were well blocked.  Elliott also managed to get his name on the scoresheet with a strong effort which wrongfooted the keeper.

By the final whistle both sides knew they had been in a tough cup game, with one team progressing through.  The Vipers were terrific as ever – strong, brave, relentless and resilient.  We found out the next day Alistair had carried on playing despite having a bad ankle sprain – we’ll miss you Alistair while you get your rest but the Vipers will continue to show what they can do.  

A superb game as ever – well done Vipers!!

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers