Match report New Mills Junior's U9's vs Team Goal Girl's U10 - 09/11/25

Season 3 - Episode 10: We will remember them ❤️

The under 9's wore their poppies with pride as we paused for a minutes silence on rememberence day, to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. With their arms around each other, heads bowed, both sets of kids observed the minutes silence impeccably, an absolute credit to their clubs 🙏🏻

We were up against Team Goal under 10's for the second time this season and we would need every player to step up to keep up with these girls, I've no idea what coach Joe said in his pre-match team talk but these kids took to the field fired up and ready to go! ⚽️⚽️⚽️

We had Harrison back in our engine room, breaking down the attacks in midfield and protecting his defenders. In the first 5 minutes it was end to end but as we settled into our rhythm there was a scramble in their area... Harrison went steaming in and smashed it home to the delight of his mates! That's his 6th goal of the season, pretty impressive from our defensive midfielder!

After Leon's ice cold performance last week he had his work cut out today, up against some tough tackling defenders they insisted on shutting him out early on! He slowly grew into the game and when the balls got played into his feet he held the defenders off and played the attackers in, just what you want from your centre forward, yes Leon! Ned was our sweeper again, if anything got through he was there to clear the danger. He's had a rough time at school last week when Finn run him over with a pedal bike... it was no surprise to hear Finn and the bike came out of it worse off, hard as nails is our Ned! 💪🏻 He's a lot more involved this season and it's great to see him enjoying himself! Myles was bang on it from the start, he defended from the front and put constant pressure on their defenders. He was so direct going forward, always driving down the right and crossing it for our forwards. A deflected goal in the 2nd half was a dubious one, he didn't try to claim it but I've given it him anyway but his first half goal... wow!

After Mia's first time pass was put on a plate he's hit an absolute rocket that curled into the top corner... their keeper is on the books at United so it had to be special to beat her, wowzer Myles!

As we headed for half time we switched off again for a kick in and the girls took full advantage, their number 7 weaved her way through our defence and unleashed a shot that Reuben couldn't keep out at his near post... game on! It was a wake up call that we needed! It was half time and the oranges were out, no idea who scranned all the jaffa cakes but Teddy had the crumbs in his hair so my money was on him 🤣 after another rallying team talk from coach Joe it was Mia's turn to show everyone she can mix it with the older girls, we asked her to be more physical, go and show them how tough you are and she certainly did that for us in the 2nd half. She stopped the attacks from the front with some tactical defending of her own which brought huge praise from the coaches!

When we piled forward she was always there to support and get stuck in, excellent Mia! These type of games are perfectly set up for a player like Ryan, fast paced and physical! We always praise his forward play, he's an old school winger that loves to stay wide and get his crosses in but we love how he tracks back! Never afraid to stick his foot in! We still need to work on them kick ins but we will get there! Good week for Ryan! 3 weeks on the spin from Finn! He got the all clear from the medical team after his head first summersault off the bike in school, I've heard so many different versions of the story from the kids 🤣 it's been like a new signing having him back! He was straight in there when we brought him on, leading by example, gliding past tackles and playing it out wide to the wingers. We dropped him into defence in the 2nd half as the girls just wouldn't be beaten! Midway through the 2nd half they caught us on the counter... their number 7 again got past Finn... Teddy and Max bot slid in... Reuben came sprawling off his line but she tucked it away... this was going down to the wire! Our defensive duo, Max and Teddy looked lost when the match kicked off, we've most likely confused them by proposing the idea of starting with 3 at the back but luckily for us the ball was booted into the other end of the ground and as we waited for someone to fetch it coach Joe wasted no time in pulling the lads, after a quick shuffle it was sorted, it was only the first minute and when you've been the most reliable centre back pairing for the best part of 2 years we will let you off lads! After a quick reset they didn't put a foot wrong! Fresh from his makeover with barber Dan, the mullet man was making some crucial clearances when under pressure, my Mum always told me if in doubt... say nowt... but in Teddy's case, if in doubt... kick it out! He pulled out the tricks this week when he dummied the kick in, dribbled it closer to goal and sent his crosses into the box, more of that please Ted! He almost finished off our best move of the game when we've played the ball from the back, Max sent Finn on a run down the left and when he's cut back inside everyone expected him to shoot... he's switched it to the right where Teddy's pushed up... we know he can strike a ball and as he shaped up to hit it we all thought it was in... especially me as I was right behind it... the keeper was beaten but it hit the bar and went over, what an effort! Huge praise for Max this week, he was immense in training on Thursday, he trains as hard as he plays! Forget about the first minute along with Teddy, after that he was outstanding! Constantly throwing himself into tackles and driving us forward from the back, it's mad to see how much he's still improving! He drags the team forward at times, taking responsibility when our backs against the wall and we always hear him encouraging his team mates! They all look up to big Max, literally! He's absolutely vital to this team and we're lucky to have him!

When the games are tight and its end to end you need some help from your keeper... I always tell him just try and do the basics well and if yoy can pull off a couple of worldies then brilliant... Reuben was awesome today! There wasn't much he could do about their goals but he kept us in the game right until the very end! He was well in the wars though... he hurt his hand trying to save their first goal, got stood on when he sprawled for their second and when he dived on a loose ball in the 2nd half he took an accidental knee to the face 🤕 he insisted on finishing the game, showing bravery and courage on the most poignant day. Both keepers refused to let the scoreline get messy, pulling off saves that brought standing ovations from the stands! Reuben's opposite number pulled off a stunning double save to deny us in the 2nd half and at the other end with the game in the balance, Reuben got down low at his near post to tip an effort wide when it looked like a certain goal! He may have finished the game battered and bruised but he earned his doughnuts from the co op! He insisted on getting a picture after the match with the keeper and her twin sister, Ivy and Esme, massive shout out to them and the rest of the girls! Today's player of the match went to Reuben 🏆

Those girls are absolutely awesome, I could write a match report on them alone, they were that impressive! It could have gone either way that match but they brought the best out of our lot, every single one of them showed us that as we head into the competitive part of the season, where the league levels itself up, these lot are absolutely ready! They will fight for every ball, score some incredible goals and defend for their lives! You've done us all proud in the first quarter of the season kids, keep your heads up, keep fighting and keep smiling 💛🖤

Harrison ⚽️

Myles ⚽️⚽️

Reuben 🏆

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

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