Match Report New Mills Juniors U7s vs Reddish North End Reds - 01/02/25

This week the miniest of millers continued their journey with the Stockport Metro league up against a Reddish North End side they had not played before.  At full strength, captain this week would be Alistair, taking his turn with the armband to lead the team against what we hoped would be a great game of football.  Kingsley would start in goal with Leo at centre back, Kit on the left, Thomas right and Jude and Logan forward.  Elliott, Lily and Alistair would be ready to make the difference from the bench. 

The game started and the Millers showed why they have been tough to play against this season. 

Jude and Logan pressed high to win the ball with Thomas and Kit supporting wide.  Leo was cool, calm and in control at the back, ensuring Kingsley had little to do in the first half.  But the Millers didn’t have it all their own way, Reddish have a few handy players as well and they showed their ability and testing our defences, but they all stood firm.  New Mills had been working on passing and moving the ball and this started to show with some great link up play on either wing.  Kit and Jude linked up well on the left with Logan linking up with Thomas on the right.  Elliott came into the game for Thomas at one point when he took a knock making a tackle but Elliott carried on the great work Thomas had started.  When Lily entered the fray for Jude, she set about pressing high and winning the ball in her usual enthusiastic manner.  Alistair would let Leo have a rest with Kit slotting in at centre back and Alistair on the right. 

The first half was a tight affair with chances at a premium and the Millers found the Reddish keeper a tough nut to crack. 

In return, Reddish found the New Mills defence difficult to break through with Kinglsey having little work to do.  The game became a battle between which defence would be the tightest as neither side gave much away.  Both sides in their determination to not concede, were unlucky to score own goals – but the Millers didn’t let their heads drop throughout.  The best goal of the game came from a great through ball from Kit for Elliott to latch onto before half time, which he slotted past the keeper in usual devasting fashion.

Into the second half and with Alistair taking the gloves, Kingsley continued the great work of the rest of the team and worked hard to get forward and create chances.  Again, the Reddish keeper was just as stubborn and so was Alistair, making several key stops.  The game continue to be tight and tense with neither side giving an inch and by full time, everyone had enjoyed the sheer quality on show from New Mills and Reddish.

All the Millers today worked hard for each other – Kingsley solid in goal but determined ball carrying in the second half create space for his teammates.  Leo read the game brilliantly as always at the back, but not only winning the ball, starting attacks is key to his work.  Alistair and Thomas were relentless either side and Alistair was superb in net.  Thomas was very brave coming back into the fray in the second half after shaking a knock in the first. 

Kit was up and down the pitch with his usual energy but starting the help cover more at the back as well as create further forward. 

Logan’s drive forward helped in the first half and his reading of the game and tough tackling kept it tighter in the second.  Elliott is up and down the pitch every week, tracking back but fast on the breakaway as soon as he gets the chance.  Jude provided a platform for the team further forward with his pressure and linking up the play and Lily was her determined best to win her duels and never gave an inch.

A pleasure to watch U7s, we go again next Saturday…

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

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