Match report
NMJU9 Eagles v Buxton Young Bucks
Sunday 23rd April 2023
So here we are, the final match of the season, a match against Buxton Young Bucks at the Silverlands. Home to Buxton FC in the end of season Cup Finals day.
This season has proved to be very difficult in regards to results whereby victories have proved very difficult to come by, however our opponents have given us some close games over the season and we knew we had to be at our best to come away with the silverware.
As soon as the draw was made preparations were put in place to work on the things we know we have to in order to win.
The Eagles were down by two players for the early team news, but as the day drew closer we were lucky to get the full house and a full compliment of players. We needed everybody, and everybody needed to be at the top of their game.
As is custom on Cup Finals day the players emerged from the tunnel and onto the pitch with added energy. You could see the Eagles were up for it today but could they do it?
The Eagles started strongly and put Buxtons keeper under pressure again and again and it was Archie who found the breakthrough.
The Eagles defence kept Buxton at bay in the first half by leaving them scraps in front of goal. Mostly long shots that went wide and didn’t cause Zac any concern in the Eagles goal.
Their first half play was fantastic. Every single player was on top form and everything we said before was put into action. The defence held firm by the impressive Nathan and Hayden, the midfielders of Frankie, Oliver and Archie created space and looked to set the Eagles forward at every opportunity. Both forwards had great chances to score but it was Robbie who had the joy in front of goal in the first half.
At the half time team talk we knew Buxton would put us under pressure in the second half so we set them off with instructions to stop their attacks at every opportunity.
Buxton were true to their word and they did start to create chances but it was the Eagles that pushed on and added to their tally with Frankie setting Archie away, who set the ball through for Robbie’s second of the match.
Cue the Buxton onslaught and they fought their way back through the impressive number 9.
Archie continued to push forward regularly with the ever improving Frankie continuing to win possession and drive the Eagles forward.
Whatever they tried though, they just could not stop the Young Bucks number 9 from hitting the back of the net and despite some last ditch tackles from Nathan and Hayden the game ended up all square at the end.
So it was onto penalties…..
There was no end of hands in the air when we asked who wanted to take one but it was down to Archie, Oliver and Zac….
All three scored their pens and so did the Young Bucks, so sudden death it was and up stepped Nathan who smashed his penalty in.
So could Zac become the hero after narrowly missing Buxton’s last penalty and injuring himself???
Zac just shrugged the injury off and took his place in nets and…………………………..SAVED!!!!
Cue the wild celebrations by everyone. Coaches and spectators included.
A little fact for you now, In Chinese, the pistachio is called 开心果 (hoi sum guo), which means happy nut. You can also use the phrase to describe someone who is really happy and boy this team were happy!!!!!
This team had won once all season but all their hard work and teamwork today saw them over the line by the narrowest of margins.
What a performance!!
I say it most weeks but this was their best performance of the season and what a place to do it.
Every single player was at their best today and they deserved their rewards.
All that was left was to applaud Buxton up the stairs and collect their rewards and for captain Sami to go and lift the Edale Cup!!
Goals from Robbie ⚽️⚽️and Archie ⚽️⚽️.
Pens from Archie ⚽️, Oliver ⚽️, Zac⚽️ and Nathan ⚽️
Player of the match as chosen by the match referee was Francesca. An inspirational performance. Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This team never give up and we hope they all put the hard work in for next season. They are a joy to coach and here’s to a great 2023/24 season.
I would like to wish Mark and Paul and their Falcons squad, and Dan and Dave with their Hawks squad a great summer and here’s to next season. This will be a great New Mills team when we all come together in the coming years.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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