New Mills Juniors Under 16’s stretched their winning run, from the start of the season back in September, to eight games, defeating a strong Richmond Rovers Blues side by three goals to one on a glorious Easter Sunday morning at Fortress Ollersett. With a fully fit squad to choose from The Millers lined up in their favoured 4-5-1 formation, looking to control the midfield, and they started well as Harry Wyatt, Joel Boyes and Jake Brooks dominated. It was Brooks who gave the home side the lead on five minutes, curling home a free-kick from 25 yards. So good was the strike that if the free-kick had have been a Central European country it would be Tekker-Slovakia, and The Millers went on to dominate the opening period. Players tired expectedly after a lengthy period with no football, and the visitors seized control pushing The Millers back to defend the edge of their area. Noah Smith produced several fine saves, while Kai Harman was in superb form in repelling attack after attack as the half ended with The Millers a goal up.
The second half started as the first had ended, with Richmond in the ascendancy and just six minutes in they deservedly levelled the scores as a clever cross to the far post was headed home from close range. Smith was again called into action on a number of occasions while Harman, Ben Spedding and Alex Duncan were required time and again to make last ditch challenges to keep The Millers in the match. Adam Hooper was introduced to add pace to the back line and Kit Maddox was moved back into midfield to try and regain the impetus, but the visitors had gained the foothold and were firmly in control. Brooks was re-introduced to the action on 58 minutes, replacing Spedding and Alex Capraro replaced Max Gravestock a few minutes later to add more pace to the attack as it became clear that the next goal would decide the game. That proved to be the case, as with just six minutes to go Boyes picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal, drove into Richmond territory, exchanging passes with Woodrow on the edge of the area and firing home from twelve yards out. The ensuing celebration will undoubtedly be etched into the history of New Mills Juniors, as Boyes was swamped by his delirious team mates. The strike demoralised the visitors and almost immediately The Millers added a third, George Pottage won the ball on the edge of his own area and clipped a pass into Brooks who cleared long, Jack Catterall flicked on cleverly and Frank Woodrow, who had enjoyed a quiet game by his high standards, raced clear, rounded the keeper and tapped into the empty net. There was barely time for the game to restart before the referee brought proceedings to a close, The Millers winning run sees them remain clear of the chasing pack in the race for the Stockport Metro League Premier Division trophy.
Man of the Match: Kai Harman, absolutely faultless
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