Saturday comes around again and another game for the miniest Millers on their journey in the Metro League.
Although early on that morning was frosty, by kick-off time the sun was shining and the day was warm. We would not have our full squad this week as the positional master Leo was unavailable, but the rest of the team would be present.
Both teams agreed to play 6-a-side this week therefore Thomas, our captain this week, would start in goal, with Logan as centre back.
Alistair would be our left back with Lily right back.
Kit and Jude would play further forward. Elliott and Kingsley would be this week’s game changers hoping to come onto the field and make a difference for the team.
We had not played the tigers before but we wanted to keep practicing on our passing and moving which we had been doing in training.
The game kicked off and the Tigers set about putting early pressure on the Millers but Lily was not standing for this. She got about their team with unrelenting force, tackling almost anything that moves.
Logan was covering in front of Thomas well and tried to send the ball forward to Kit and Jude as much as he could.
Alistair was playing brilliantly on the left, staying in position and trying to support going forward as much as he could.
Alistair was being very patient, waiting for the right moment to tackle showing great composure for his time to get forward.
A midfield battle was in progress with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances, with the Tigers seizing their chances.
The Millers started to drive further forward with Logan and Kit passing the ball across the pitch to make space, however Chapel defended their goal resolutely.
Time for our first game-changers with Elliott and Kingsley giving Kit and Jude a rest. They set about their work with Kingsley winning his tackles but then driving forward with the ball, he crossed a super ball to the back post to Elliott who slid in to convert the awesome cross. Unfortunately, Elliott caught the post with his head when sliding in and got a bad cut. Amazingly brave from Elliott who was determined to get a goal. We brought him off for the rest of the game to be cleaned and patched up.
During the stop in play, we noticed the players were shaken by Elliott’s injury but we made sure they knew he was alright and that we wanted to do our best now for Elliott. It showed us how much team spirit had been built in our young team as they were very concerned and wanted to do their best for their teammate.
They didn’t disappoint, the game got back underway and the Millers were more determined than ever before.
Our passing game was starting to show with Logan taking a real grip of the game. A superb cross from him allowing Kit to get his name on the scoresheet with a powerful effort into the top corner.
Lily next turned provider for Logan with a simple pass through the defence to Logan’s run, he then placed his shot with his left foot into the far corner.
After half time and some reassuring words that Elliott was fine, the team got back to work.
Kingsley took the gloves for the second half with Thomas now playing further forward.
At the beginning of the second half Kit returned the favour to Logan for his second goal.
The second half then became attack vs attack, as both teams went toe to toe as Chapel put Kingsley to work, epitomised by the save of the season so far from a powerful freekick which he caught without a second thought.
Logan was still dictating attacks and some quick thinking from a dribble-in, allowed him to complete his hattrick. Lily was driving through the Tigers with constant tackling, aggression and steel to try and now get a goal.
A great strike from her eluded the Chapel goalkeeper but came off the post to Thomas who was waiting to score but he then hit the same post. Both deserved a goal and it will come.
Jude was at his determined best throwing himself forward, and trying to link the play further up the field.
Alistair also tried playing further forward this week and, on the right, showing his joy of playing no matter what the position. He also got forward more but was unable to get his shots away.
Thomas’s confidence is growing with every game and his understanding of how he can help the team is growing too. This showed as he continued to drive forward with his dribbling skills which continue to improve. Logan and Kit have really taken to trying to pass the ball as much as they can, with both trying to find space which is great to see.
Once the breathless second half had finished, both teams left with happy faces after a great game of football.
We then got the chance to see Elliott and celebrate another great game of football with him.
Well done U7s, another week and your development as a team this week was awesome to see and we can’t wait to see further development next week.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
Kommentare