Match Report New Mills Juniors U9s vs Inter Cheadle South U9s; 21st September 12.20 KO
A mild September day gave us a perfect setting for our latest game on the U9s football journey.
Today’s game would be against very familiar opposition Inter Cheadle South, who we have played at both U7s and U8s previously. These have always been close games with two well matched teams and we hoped today would be the same again.
Full squad was available so we started with James in goal, Charlie T & Rhys in defence, Teddy in the centre of midfield with Stanley on the left and Dylan the right with Charlie J leading the line.
Pavak and Jackson would be our subs today and with the warm weather, we would be rotating a lot. We spoke with the players this week about making sure our passes were nice and firm to feet to avoid being intercepted and to make sure we are not caught ball watching or standing still. To make sure we can help each other as much as we can with and without the ball.
Kick off and New Mills got straight onto the front foot playing our football and not allowing Inter Cheadle to push out. Great pressing from Stanley, Dylan, Charlie J and Teddy kept them hemmed in. A few attempts without reward but the boys were playing well. Even when Cheadle managed to get through the press, Charlie T & Rhys were on hand to stop anything getting through to James.
Some good play out from the back released Stanley for a trademark run down the left. A great cross into the box eluded Charlie J but Dylan managed to pull the ball down into Teddy’s path the to strike firm into the bottom right corner.
This sparked Inter Cheadle into life and they started to put New Mills under pressure.
Rhys was superb with his reading the game and cutting out passes, while Charlie T covering behind, not allowing players to dribble past him. A few corners well defended and the defence continued to be resolute. We needed to start making changes, Charlie J had put a lot of work in on the press and Stanley needed one too with Jackson and Pavak coming on. Charlie T went to striker with Pavak in defence for only his third game for this team. The way he has slotted in you wouldn’t think it as he set about his tackling game alongside Rhys, who tried to keep James quiet.
Some good movement going forward and now Charlie T putting the pressure on, brought further chances going forward with Charlie having a few shots well saved but Inter Cheadle were growing more into the game.
Half time came and we simply told the team to keep working hard and doing what they were doing.
In the second half, both teams pushed hard to get more goals with both keepers put to the test. James was on hand time and again with some good saves, but also quick reactions to jump up and grab the rebound.
Rhys was building attacks from the back with some great running further forward from Stanley, Jackson and Dylan out wide. Charlie J was causing a nuisance to the opposition going forward and managed to get another goal with a deflected effort into the corner after great work on the left from Stanley.
Charlie T also nearly got his name on the scoresheet by blocking a goalkeeper’s clearance but it went just wide. He also tried a new position today in centre midfield when Teddy needed a break was involved in some good link-up play with Pavak and Jackson.
Towards the end of the game though Inter Cheadle finished strong limiting us to counterattacks which we were so close with just the final ball missing.
Charlie T and Rhys slotted back into defence together after both having rest time and both made critical clearances, blocks and interceptions to stop more attempts from the opposition.
A fantastic team performance today with so many positives to count from the whole team, every player gave everything and this week really showed what we are capable of against really strong opposition. Superb play from back to front and the team made player of the match a tough choice.
Stanley’s crossing, Charlie J and Teddy’s goals, Charlie T’s defending and trying a new position, Pavak’s tackling, James’ saves, Jackson’s clever runs and passing or Dylan’s pressing forward. We decided that Rhys just shaded it as he was a wall at the back, helped build attacks and was vocal with his team mates.
Well done U9s, great team performance and we look forward to the same next week.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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