Match report NMJFC U15s - 18/09/22
vs Whaley Bridge.
The day we’ve all been waiting for …. the start of the football season. It had already been delayed for a week to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, so these boys were itching to get on the pitch. A minute’s silence before kick off was well respected by players and supporters alike.
The Millers had just the bare 11 to start and until half time, so it was always going to be a tough first game. The sun shone throughout the game and although the threat of rain arrived before half time, it stayed dry and conditions on the rec were great for a decent game of football.
We were playing slightly uphill for the first half with end to end football throughout, plenty of neat passing and solid defending from the Millers but it ended with both sides level at the interval. They were endless in their determination to succeed, trying to score goals and getting the ball into the right half, some nice corners were taken by Harvey, one in particular saw Luca get his head to it but it went just over the bar for a goal kick. We were unlucky not to convert any. In defence we were saved a couple of times by our back line of solid defenders in Gene and Luke Kelly, backed up by big Joe, Ruben and Byron, on his debut for New Mills. The little terrier, Matheus on the right wing was determined to keep his player at bay and did a fantastic job for the whole game. The hard working team of Declan and Tom in the centre, continually ran the pitch length, created openings for the Millers and defended their own half superbly.
The second half began with both teams attacking and the deadlock was lifted when a belter of a shot ended up in the back of the New Mills net early on in this half. New Mills kept the pressure on - Ruben, Tom and Declan pushing the balls in with Harvey and Tofty getting on the ends of them, attacking continually. The reward came when an amazing corner kick from Harvey went straight into the far side of the Whaley net. 1-1. They were back in the game.
I don’t think anyone would have argued if we managed to secure a point from the game but the lads had other ideas. Plenty more pressure throughout this half and some lovely balls sent into the forwards and again we were unlucky not to convert. Tofty won a free kick, Luke Kelly took it but the Whaley goalie scooped it up and back out it went. Great encouragement for each other meant the Millers kept their heads and piled the pressure on. Our second goal came from another well taken corner kick in from Harvey which Tofty headed into the back of the net. There was an excited roar from the Millers supporters. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for the onlookers on the sideline but the lads were all cool and calm, silently confident they could maintain the lead. A fantastic first game of the season and 3 points in the bag.
Logan, Ruben, Luke, Gene, Matheus, Byron, Tom, Declan (c), Joe, Harvey, Luca
sub Tofty
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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