Match Report NMJFC U11 Girls vs West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC U11 Nightha 28/03/2026
- R.Oakes
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Today’s match felt like it contained an entire year’s worth of seasons packed into one hour. One moment the pitch was bathed in sunshine, the next it was rattled by sharp, stinging hailstones, with a bitter cold settling over everything in between. Despite the chaos of the weather and the challenge of being down to just seven players, the girls showed real determination and spirit, rising to the occasion with a performance full of effort and teamwork.
At the back, Marha stood strong in goal, bringing confidence to the whole team. Her presence was reassuring, and she delivered a series of impressive saves that kept us in control. Just as important were her kick-outs, which consistently pushed us onto the front foot and helped turn defence into attack. She also did a great job organising those in front of her, keeping everyone focused and in position.
In defence, Stevie and Poppy J worked tirelessly. Stevie showed real grit, leaning into attackers and battling hard for every ball, while also picking out some excellent passes into midfield and out wide. Poppy J was everywhere, and took on the role as captain with ease. Her communication was constant and clear, guiding her teammates and keeping the defensive line organised. She made several key interceptions, tackled well, and showed great awareness in moving into space and driving the ball forward.
Out on the left, Florence combined skill and work rate, showing great feet and confidence on the ball. She tracked back when needed but was equally effective pushing forward, taking on players and even getting a couple of shots away. On the opposite side, Poppy D covered the right wing with endless energy, getting up and down the pitch and fully committing to every challenge. She came close to scoring with a powerful effort that struck the post, a moment that deserved a goal.
In the middle, Jessica put in a shift, covering ground all over the pitch. She read the game, making important interceptions and knowing when to push forward and when to drop back. Up front, Paige led the line with determination, creating several chances and unlucky not to find the net despite some strong efforts on goal.
The breakthrough in the first half came after Paige forced the issue with a narrow miss that led to a corner. Poppy J delivered it with real precision, drilling the ball into the near post where Jessica was ready to react, tapping it in to give the team a boost and a lift in confidence.
The second half brought more chances and more drama. Around the halfway mark, Paige struck a superb volley that rattled the crossbar, so close to doubling the lead. The second goal eventually came through persistence, with Florence testing the keeper. When the ball spilled out, Poppy D reacted quickly to send it back into the box, where Jessica took a composed touch before finishing confidently into the net.
It was a performance full of heart across the team, but Player of the Week deservedly went to Jessica. Her running, willingness to listen and adapt, and her two well-taken goals made her stand out on a day where every player gave their all in truly testing conditions.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
Comments