An early start for our U7s this week for their game against the Cosmos of Stockport. Storm Darragh was not going to dampen the spirits of our confident Mini-Millers. They had their own plans to whip up storm and blow the opponents away. This week we had two team members out of action with Kingsley and Alistair unavailable.
We spoke with the players beforehand about trying new positions, enjoying our game as much as we have been doing and working together as a team to help each other in different positions.
Logan, captain for this week, would start in goal with Leo playing his first game at centre back. Jude would try playing as left back with Kit on the opposite side. Elliott and Lily would be further forward with Thomas as taking the turn as substitute.
Each week our Mini-Millers show how much they love football and how much they develop as a team. Despite not playing in positions they were familiar with, the performance this week was awesome.
The first half was a close game with both sides trying to link up together to play great football.
Great defending was on show from both sides as well and Leo, Jude and Kit were keeping the Cosmos’s shots to a minimum but Logan stood tall for every shot.
Every opportunity Kit drove down the right-hand side, trying to link up with Lily and Elliott in the middle and creating chances. What was just as impressive was he was usually one of the first back to help Leo when the Cosmos attacked.
Jude kept up his high energy game, working hard down the left and linking up well in the middle.
Leo was showing what he had in training recently, how well he reads the game and spots danger to help break up attacks.
Lily and Elliott were driving the team forward with their energy, tackling and pressing to win the ball high and get shots away.
Lily was really unlucky not to score with a great effort which hit the side netting.
Elliott was at his finishing best with Kit supporting him well to get on the scoresheet.
Thomas entered the field for Jude on the left and set about continuing the great work Jude had started. As always Thomas did his best to drive forward with the ball and keen to get back and help his teammates.
After a blistering first half by both sides, while the team took on fluids and we swapped keepers (Lily taking a stint in net). We spoke with the players about continuing the good work and trying to pass the ball to each other and see how many passes we could make in a row. If the first half was blistering, the second was a Whirlwind. There were so many events, too many to mention in a small match report but there were two penalties, smashing free-kicks, crunching tackles, super saves, powerful shots, clever dribbling and passing and all-round superb football.
The main highlights of the second half were the first penalty won by Elliott for excellent work-rate down the right to win the ball high and drive into the box. The amazing part was the team wanted Thomas to take the penalty as he hadn’t scored yet this season.
A superb penalty followed from Thomas right into the corner, unfortunately the goalkeeper managed to get across and push the ball away. Elliott though spotted the ball hadn’t gone out and was alive to drive a cross into the box for Jude to finish.
The second penalty was again great play from Elliott which Logan was fouled before he could finish. He wouldn’t hold back on the penalty though smashing it in to the roof of the net.
The awesome football was not just further forward from the Mini-Millers but the Cosmos put pressure on the defence as well. Lily stood up to be counted in goal, making numerous saves and Kit took his turn at centre back winning tackle after tackle to stop their attacks.
Jude pressed forward in the second half as usual and him and Logan worked well together, to push the Mini-Millers up the field time and again. After Leo had his break, he came back on at centre back and continued the great work he had shown previously. Thomas continued on the left and always had a stint further forward pressing hard and full of energy to link up the play between defence and attack.
The team overall showed not matter where they play, they love their football and playing together with all members playing a great game of football. Hats of to the Cosmos as well as we played them earlier in the season and both games have been eventful affairs.
Well done Mini-Millers, looking forward to the next Christmas feast of football you will serve the parents and coaches next week.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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