The Millers took on the mighty Adswood who had in the previous season knocked the Millers out of one cup on penalties and beaten the Millers by the odd goal in the knockout cup final of last year.
The main question to be asked was had the Millers learned from last seasons disappointments and the team answered that with a resounding yes.
The Millers started the game slowly as Adswood scored early with a well taken goal after sloppy defending in the early stages.
The Millers response was swift as D07 smashed the ball into the top corner for the equaliser after a lovely passing in midfield from Bobby and Jess created space for the early pass to Darragh who finished in style.
The Millers built on this and dominated the game for a short period with Bertie and India combining down the right causing all sorts of problems for the Adswood back line.
Bertie then scored a well taken goal to nudge the Millers infront.
Adswood responded superbly as expected with two quick fire goals and looked to go into the break in the lead.
The Millers continued to attack with real intent and Darragh, Bertie, Freddie and Bobby all went close to equalising with the Adswood keeper in fine form to deny them.
As the half time break approached Bertie rifled home a close range equaliser after more incisive passing in midfield from Bobby and Jess.
The Millers defence held strong as Cole, India and Mayson won all their duels with the lively Adswood attackers.
The half team talk was focused on where we had success exploiting Adswood and how this could win us the game.
Archie took over in goal from Hazza who had shown his usual control and composure throughout the first half.
Archie started the half brightly distributing wide where the Millers had most of their success in attacking areas and creating several good chances for the Millers attackers to feed on.
With the game delicately poised at 3-3 the Millers introduced Gregory for Freddie who has ran relentlessly for the team to try and maintain energy levels.
Gregory had an instant impact as he was slid through by Bobby for a one on one with the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home to give the Millers the lead.
The Millers looked to build on this quickly and dominated possession for the next five minutes. A flowing passing move involving India, Cole, Jess then Bobby fed the ball wide to Darragh who gave Bobby the return pass on the edge of the box. Bobby with the goal at his mercy and Gregory to his right for what looked like the obvious pass, chose to reverse the ball back to Darragh for a double one two that Darragh smashed into the roof of the net for what the Millers hoped would be a winning lead of 5-3.
Adswood would not lie down and there number 7 went on a mazy dribble and finished from distance for 5-4 and the millers players and parents were all left biting their nails again with only minutes to go.
In previous seasons the group has struggled to finished pressure games off to get the results they often deserved today was different, the Millers stuck to the game plan and continued to play the same way with excellent controlled passing with Jess and Bobby dominating the middle of the pitch and controlling the game.
Darragh continued to threaten down the left and put in another good cross that Gregory reacted first to and anticipated where the ball may drop knocking the ball home for his second of the game.
6-4 with only minutes to go and the Millers defence took over and every battle and second ball was won by Cole, India and Mayson backed up by Bertie, Jess, Bobby and Darragh running their hearts out for the cause.
Gregory held the ball upfront and gave the defence a rest when he could and Archie kicked with real authority and control when it was needed the most.
The way the Millers controlled themselves to the finish was a thing of beauty calm controlled but unrivalled resilience to not allow Adswood another chance at goal, and a steely determination all the coaches were very proud to see.
The final whistle came and the relief was immense for all the players coaches and parents alike.
It’s moments like these that the kids so richly deserved that will last them for a lifetime.
A brace for D07 ⚽️⚽️
goal machine Bertie ⚽️⚽️
Game changer Gregory ⚽️⚽️ (to go with the brace he also got in the semi final)
Player of the match was all 11 kids obviously but special mention has to go to India for the way she handled the one of the best wingers in the league.
Skipper Bobby lifted the trophy for the team and the celebrations could begin. 🎉
The proudest part of the day for our club is the humility respect and class shown by all our u12 players in victory which is something they always do win lose or draw.
A fantastic and special group of kids who proved undoubtably that hard work always pays off.
💛🖤
Up the mighty mini millers 👊
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
