Match report New Mills Junior's U9's vs Wythenshawe Town Junior's U8's -02/11/25

Season 3 - Episode 9: Leon Van Basten!!

A taste of something new for our New Mills under 9's down at Macclesfield, it was KO Cup week! We arrived to the news we had no ref... nobody did but after some last minute negotiations, we agreed terms with one of the Dad's (a bag of squashies and a shout out in one of our world famous match reports) GAME ON ✅️ We were up against new opponents in Wythenshawe Town who are playing a year up, you couldn't tell though, what a cracking group of lads who pushed us to our limits, If our lads thought they were in for an easy ride they would be in for a shock! 😱

Reuben was kept busy in the first half when Wythenshawe broke through our defence, he had to be quick off his line to pressure their forwards into rushing their shots. He's been more vocal in recent weeks, alerting his outfield players to be switched on for the kick ins! When the goals came there was nothing he could do, some deadly finishing from Wythenshawe with the goal of the game coming from a free kick that was the double of Beckhams against Greece in 2001, a free kick curled right into the top corner, Reuben had no chance with that one! Teddy was tasked with marshaling the back line. You get the same every week from the mullet man... reliable, safe and pure passion! He likes to push us high up the pitch whilst he hovers around the halfway line, ready to pounce on any loose balls. With the sun in the keepers eyes in the first half he sent some outrageous balls into their box that caused allsorts of problems! He was on the same page as Reuben with the kick ins, screaming at the lads to switch on when we defended them, something we aim to work on in training this week. Max's positioning was crucial, he loves to get involved in the attacks and score goals but he played it safe this week, often stepping into midfield to help Harrison out and then ensuring he was on hand to back Teddy up defending those counter attacks. He played some lovely one two's with Ryan and when he got his head up he sprayed some mint diagonal balls to the opposite wing, another top week for Max! Ryan's crosses are starting to find their target again after some mazy runs on our left side. His dribbling has improved loads since the summer, we love how direct he is now! He was closed down immediately when he went on the attack but he kept on going at them at every opportunity! A few things to work on in training this week for Ryan, especially blocking the kick ins but he's playing a vital role for us on the wing and he gives us balance on that left hand side. On the opposite wing was Myles, did anyone see his Halloween costume on thursday night?! He went as The Mask! What a film and what a guy! He was well up for the fight today, getting stuck right in when Wythenshawe piled forward, he was a handful getting down our right side with his tricky runs. We've told him to start arriving at the back post for crosses and this week worked perfectly when Finn drilled one across goal and Myles slid in to finish the move off... oooh somebody stop me... shhhmokin! 🕺🏼 Harrison was on top form again, I could see it in his face when he turned up he was well up for this game! He was our little tank in the midfield, bombing into tackles and using his strength to hold players off. His composure on the ball and his dribbling is getting him out of the tight spaces and it has to be said his passing has come on so much recently. He wins the ball back, dribbles out of danger and when he gets his head up he finds the pass, a coaches dream in the engine room!👌🏻 Finn was back again for the 2nd game in a row and had the opposition parents asking us who he plays for... he plays for us mate 🤣 it's not very often you have a kid that talented but humble at the same time, he's loved playing with his mates again and we've loved having him back. He had loads of chances to score but he was always looking for that pass to set his mates up! He eventually had a go on his own though, gliding past the defenders and finishing it off like hes playing fifa! They all seem to find that extra 10% when Finns in the team, he gives them that extra lift! When we needed to sit back and defend we had to call upon Ned, it's a no brainer, he was awesome again today and we love seeing him improve every week! There was a moment in the first half where we all went up for a corner and Wythenshawe caught us on the counter, I said to Reuben "you might have to come out for this one" but all of a sudden Ned started to break away from the pack, turning on the afterburners to catch up, he got to within a couple of yards and did enough to pressure the attacker into shooting wide! The coaches loved that and we've told them all in training "if you can't get there just do enough to put them off" super Ned! 👍🏼 We had Joseph ready to give us that energy when he came on, he was on the end of some tough tackles but gave as good as he got! He almost got amongst the goals again when he broke away from the Wythenshawe defence and sent a shot just wide in the first half! After the break he gave us plenty of width out on the wing, pulling defenders with him and creating space for his team mates. We can't praise his attitude enough at the minute, he's turning up every week raring to go, giving us 100% in training and matches, good lad Joseph, keep it up pal!

We didn't quite know what to expect when Leon turned up for his first training session in the summer... He had a shark tshirt on, odd socks and his laces untied... but when he got on the ball we all looked at eachother and said "someone go and speak to his Dad about signing him up" 🤣 Most of these kids have been training and playing together for about 3 years but our new boys Leon and Joseph don't look out of place! This week was by far Leon's best performance of the season, he understands exactly what we need from a forward player. He stays on the shoulder of the defenders when we don't have the ball and when we go on the attack he runs into the space, dragging the defenders out of position and giving them a right headace! He was lethal infront of goal! He scored our first and our last, with a couple inbetween! The pick of the bunch was his 3rd that completed his hatrick, he took a pass from Harrison on the turn, his first touch facing himself up with the defender, he did a step over to put it onto his right foot and tucked it away into the bottom corner! We've still got things to work on with Leon but he's gonna take some shifting from that spot upfront! He's settled into the team like he's been with us for years! It always helps when your playing with your mates from school! He's such a nice lad and an absolute pleasure to coach, this week's player of the match was an easy one, 4 outstanding goals, with feet like Van Basten, composure like Dennis Bergkamp! I can never pronounce his surname but I'm sure it's Berbatov! Smashed it this week Leon 🏆

I read a post over the weekend about the lack of volunteers in grassroots football. We're so blessed to have 4 dedicated coaches in this group who all bring something different to the table. Tom is Mr composure, the calm one, Wayne is the brains and I'm the master orange slicer! Steering the ship is coach Joe and even though he's the most unorganised person we know... he knows exactly what to say at exactly the right time to spark those kids into life! He puts the fire in their bellies every Sunday morning and he's the reason those kids walk out onto that pitch feeling like giants! With almost a full squad to choose from in a tight cup game, Joe and Tom did a brilliant job making sure all the kids got plenty of minutes! It didn't matter what the score was in the end... they all came off the pitch buzzin their little heads off! 💛🖤

Myles ⚽️

Finn ⚽️⚽️

Leon ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🏆