First off, condolences to Cheadle & Gatley as all teams adhered to a respectful minute’s silence for the loss of one of their coaches.
Great to back but a reduced squad of 8 on a very cold morning. We as coaches knew they could hold their own and without taking anything away from Mountfield who have improved greatly since we last faced each other as this was another game just full of goals.
I did think we might struggle at one point as the opposition sat nearly all their players across the face of their goal but when Lily provided the perfect throw in for Scarlett to cross it to Jaz who opened the scoresheet within 3 minutes.
From the centre spot just 1 minute later Scarlett chipped the keeper followed by Del interpreted what the keeper was going to do and intercepted resulting in another.
Nice wide play from the New Mills side who kept their positions and great passing through a congested midfield for Ellie to slice in her first of the game, assisted by Del who battled in centre mid.
Not done, Ellie clocked up her 2nd with another from Jaz, again assisted by Scarlett. All 3 of those players picking each other out in the box creating formidable forward play.
Unfortunately, Ellie had to come off looking rather pale with a chunk of the first half left.
Again, Scarlett struck a corker which rebounded off the keeper for Jaz to follow in and have a first half hattrick with ten minutes to go.
Down to 7 players for second half and after all the Christmas chocolate and working so hard in the first half the tiredness set in but our fabulous three defenders Lily, Mia and Nieve kept a high press and kept the Mountfield players out of our half and in a congested goal mouth, a wonderfully shielded ball and pass back from Jaz enabled Nieve to hit it from near the half way line straight through the middle and into the back of the net.
Del grafted through the middle and kept the ball at her feet, was not to be beaten and again, found the back of the goal, followed by a little happy dance.
A beautifully laid on through ball from Nieve found the feet of Jaz who had cut in from left wing to pelt it past the keeper who stood no chance.
With our poor keeper Taylor now stood in the shady end and with not much game action the cold had got the better of her and she was suffering and in two minds whether to come off, she stuck it out some more for the team, was good to see the New Mills girls keep going until the end with a reduced squad but not quite finished with great push on from Jaz to beat her marker down the wing, swift switch of feet and powered it home to match her tally from last time we played this team.
Unfortunately, Taylor could stand cold toes no more and Mia quickly donned the gloves so she could come off and get warm.
Even though Nieve stood in for that central defender position today, we like to see her high up the pitch to get on the ball and calmly walk it across the backline.
Positive feedback to the Mountfield team, keep going girls! Massive well done to our Millers who despite the setbacks, illness, tiredness & less players pulled together and delivered a great game.
I've said it in past match reports but they’ve all gelled so well, they support each other and work hard. Well done everyone.
Player of the match was easy picking today and players agreed afterwards too. This player absorbs training and when it then shows in matches is great for us coaches to see.
Ability to turn players, strength & shielding, crossing into the box and of course goals aplenty. It goes to Jazmin.
Post match photo was pushing it though, we'll let you off as all of them were shattered. Well deserved.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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