Match Report New Mills Junior's U9's vs Chapel Town Blue's U9's - 14/9/25

Season 3 - Episode 2: Leon's off the mark!

As we geared ourselves up for the Manchester derby we had a local Derby of our own in the Stockport Metro! It was our neighbours from the other side of the bypass in Chapel Blue's, we've faced them loads of times in our football journey over the years so we always know what to expect. A change of colours for New Mills today to avoid a kit clash, making its debut was our new training tops/away kit, us coaches opted for shorts as always ⚽️⚽️

Talking of debuts... after an impressive one last week, Leon made his first start of the season, the instructions was simple "stay upfront and keep their defenders busy" and he did just that! He finished off our first move of the game, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning his defender and bagging his first ever goal in "proper football" we told him he would score today but we didn't think it would happen after only 90 seconds! Everyone celebrated with him, which shows how quickly he's settled into the team.

Our other new kid on the block was full of energy again this week, not afraid to get stuck into some physical battles, Joseph pestered the Chapel defenders into making mistakes, he's working hard in training every week and it's showing on the pitch, well done Joseph! Mia was brought in to carry on where she left off last week, it wasn't long until she found herself inbetween the Chapel defence and when a loose ball dropped at her feet she buried it into the corner, everyone was delighted and she finished the match well with some superb tackling late on.

Myles was showing us his trickery out on the right wing, direct, skillful and tenacious, he went at Chapels left side at every opportunity, driving us forward and drilling some great crosses into their box. I'm still waiting on a reply from the dubious goals committee to see if his corner was deflected in... watch this space 🤣 On the opposite wing it was our number 11 Ryan, hustling hard, tracking back and helping his defenders out when Chapel got forward. He almost finished off a great move when he took on 2 players, nutmegged the 3rd and then shot just wide but it wasn't until we switched him to the opposite wing, something we've never tried before, that he got his reward. Harrison played a neat little through ball for Ryan, who opened up his body and slotted it away, a proper fifa goal!

Another player that has been trying new positions this season is Harrison, after his fine goal scoring form upfront last year we've moved him into the middle of the park, bringing a new dimension to our midfield with his high energy and willingness to "get stuck in" He still likes to get forward though, bagging himself his first goal of the season in the second half with another great finish.

After his player of the match performance last week our Reuben had another great game in goal, racing off his line when it was 1v1 and making some smart saves, he can't save them all but he definitely saved his best until last! A great effort from Chapel looked to be heading in but he's somehow got down low and parried it away, unbelievable Jeff! We don't ask kids to put their bodies on the line, its only kids football init 🤣 but Teddy loves it! Block after block, throwing himself at shots and timing his tackles to perfection, it was one of his best ever games in a New Mills shirt! When Ryan and Harrison had a go in defence in the 2nd half he had to be smart when they edged forward but he positioned himself in the middle of our back line and was awesome! He got a well deserved goal later on with a powerful shot from distance, doing the dirty work at one end and scoring at the other... 10/10 Ted!

In a match where genuinely every player could have taken home the player of the match trophy it would take something special, if Teddy was 10/10 then Max was 11/10! He was a rock in the first half, flying into tackles and constantly carrying us forward, he's got his head up more now, watching the runners over his shoulder, switching the ball to the wingers. We pushed him forward in the 2nd half, where he linked up with our forward line and was constantly testing out the Chapel keeper, his goal was a mixture of accuracy and pure frustration 😅 after seeing his previous efforts saved... he nearly took the net off! After an excellent all round display from our big man, it was Max who was our player of the match, absolutely class 🏆

Big smiles at the final whistle from both teams after a thrilling game of end to end football! Lots of positives to take from the game and lots of things to work on in training 👍🏼

Up next: Chapel Town Titans U10's... bring it on 💛🖤

Leon ⚽️

Mia ⚽️

Myles ⚽️/🅰️

Ryan ⚽️

Harrison ⚽️

Teddy ⚽️

Max ⚽️🏆

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers