11.30am KO
Another Saturday and another chance for the miniest Millers to enjoy themselves with a game at the Powerleague in Stockport vs Richmond Lazio.
This is the second Richmond side we faced and knew we would be playing a well-coached side. We spoke with the players beforehand about keeping control of the ball this week, when we receive the ball, doing our best to control and play forward.
This week, we had a couple of players absent which allowed for a little more game time for the rest of the squad.
We started with Alistair in net, Logan at centre back, Kit on the right and Elliott on the left, Lily in midfield and Lexi as our striker; Thomas & Jude were on the bench ready to make a difference.
The game started with both teams trying to keep hold of the ball and almost unsure what the opposition would be like. A close midfield battle ensured with Lily and Logan winning their tackles and trying to link with Kit and Elliott wide.
Elliott was trying to push us forward down the right but Richmond began to put more pressure on the defence. Alistair did his best in net to keep as many shots out as he could – a superb effort from him given this was his first game in goal.
Logan was making many clearances from the back and with Jude’s introduction as striker, New Mills started push forward more.
Jude won a freekick on the left and Kit stepped up to take it. We had seen Kit in training this year and knew he has a powerful strike in his locker but had witnessed it… until now. What a strike into the bottom corner from distance, the opposition coach was even surprised – well done Kit!
The goal gave the team a lift and not long after Elliott was put through by Logan on the right but he wasn’t able to hit the back of the net. Not content with having a chance himself, Elliott again was on the end of a great team move, started from Logan through Jude and Elliott managed to break clear on the right, he centred for Kit to strike but he miscued the shot and it went out of play.
Thomas came on to give us further energy out wide and he always puts in a real effort every game.
Today he was trying hard to get into his tackles more and him, Jude and Lily were continually forcing Richmond attacks away from our goal. Half-time blew and the team took a well-earned rest, although it was at our best period so we didn’t want to stop.
Alistair came out for the 2nd half with Lexi taking the gloves, she had played in goal last week and enjoyed it so much, she wanted to play there again.
The second half started and Kit dropped into defence to give Logan a break. The 2nd half continued like the first, with Richmond putting the Mini-Millers under pressure but they did not let that stop their enjoyment. What was most pleasing from this team, as with every week, is they give everything and try their hardest to work on what we are trying to.
Nothing opitimised the determination of the team this week more than Logan who wasn’t content with playing at the back, but went on a fantastic run through the Richmond team to get through on goal but their keeper was up to his effort. Elliott was tireless out wide, tracking back to help his team but trying to dribble and carry the ball forward.
Lily as ever was between both boxes, not relenting and not giving an inch to anyone. Alistair did amazing in goal in the first half and worked hard to play his passes in the second. Lexi always gets involved in the middle and today was no exception but she is enjoying exploring different positions and taking the gloves and trying to make as many saves as she could in the 2nd half with a smile on her face said everything.
Logan drove the team forward all game but he is really starting to read the game well.
Thomas’s energy levels never dipped throughout and neither did Jude’s who really worked hard for the team this week.
The biggest smile of the week though has to go to Kit after his goal, but the smiles from his teammates who celebrated with him, showed they developing together as a team
Well done Mini-Millers, as always, you learn and develop every week and this week was no exception – can’t wait for Saturday for our next adventure…
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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