Match Report NMJFC U11 Sorpions v Whaley Bridge Athletic Blue - 02/11/25

Now we’re in the Sunday Stockport Metro league, cup games are played during the season rather than a cup final at season end. This adds some spice over the course of the season…. We were hoping the Scorpions were up for it.

A much shuffled Scorpions took to the field, minus coach Jordan and our main striker Rocco T.  To compensate we drafted in coach Phil from the Hornets, Oliver L and Finley (thank you to all for assisting)

Earliest kick off we’ve had since our first game of the season (incidentally against the same opposition) Leo agreed to play upfront, whilst Will was happy to play on the right wing. Alfie was playing just behind Leo with licence to drift. Dylan on the left to make use of his magic wand left foot, Oliver L in a CDM role protecting his defence of Rocco, David and Callum, with ‘The Cat’ in goal. Finley would get on shortly and stamp his authority on the game.

The Scorpions absolutely blasted out of the starting blocks and with their first attack Leo hit home his first of the day ⚽️ this ignited something and before long, Dylan worked his magic on the left taking on a Whaley defender, crossing a great ball for Leo to knock in his second ⚽️

This was both great and counter productive as the Scorpions seemed to switch off and were then playing a lot of football in their own half. Frankie made more than one instinctive save.  A bit of ‘encouragement’ from the coaches saw the Scorpions switch back on. Alfie had a good cross goal shot, Leo had a shot just wide.

Frankie sent out a long goal kick, Leo judged the bounce and set off the afterburners … one outcome..⚽️

Again, some complacency crept in and we were on the back foot again. Oliver L was a powerhouse in midfield and Callum was absolutely everywhere. Cal had a rough time today, not only was he up against a player who was bigger than him, but on more than one occasion he took a fast moving ball to the head. To his absolute credit, he got back up and kept going …. Made of stern stuff is Cal.

Finley made his entrance to add some fire and speed.

Will was quietly doing some great work on the right, he jinked past a Whaley player and sent a perfect cross over for Leo to tap home for his fourth ⚽️

Meanwhile at the other end, Frankie got down to his right and made an astonishing finger tip save to push the ball round the post … 👏🏻

Half time and we discussed how quickly we started, then seemed to drift off.  The second half started how the first half ended …. We were under pressure and couldn’t get the ball out of our half… it needed something special to get the Scorpions to wake up…. Up pops Alfie with an amazing run, going past player after player (something he was doing all day) he shot, it was saved but there was Dylan to smash the ball into the net ⚽️

Oliver L was really bossing midfield .. some excellent long range passes were being fired out.

Rocco had played across all the defensive positions and done a stint in midfield … he ran and ran and never backed out of a challenge 👊🏻

The Scorpions now had their stingers up and clicked into gear .. more impressive play saw Leo pick up the ball and score ⚽️

All through the game there was some impressive passing movements and looking for a forward pass to a teammate …. It was a pleasure to see players talking and encouraging each other.

High pressing from the Scorpions saw another forward run from Finley, who was rock solid all day and would not be bullied by bigger players, he went past a player and hit a rocket ⚽️

Not to be outdone by his teammate … Oliver L (who’d had a couple of efforts) picked the ball up in the middle and would up his right foot and smashed one onto the bottom corner ⚽️

Another reshuffle, with David playing upfront.  Scorpions pressure saw David pick up the ball in the box, a little jink from right to left and then score his first of the season ⚽️💥

Every single player wanted to do their best today (I said Jordan would shout at me if they didn’t … and they all listened and made me proud)

It was difficult to pick just one PoTM (so after a quick chat with coach Phil) we decided both Callum and Leo. They were both amazing today, Callum for his tenacity, resilience, constant tackling and all round play. Leo for playing in a different position, captaining the team, words of encouragement and leading by example.

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers