Richmond Sky’s 3-4 New Mills U16’s
The Millers Under 16’s began their Divisional Cup campaign against Richmond Sky’s on a beautiful spring morning at Woodford Rec, a happy hunting ground for them in previous seasons. After narrowly defeating the other Richmond side the previous week in the league The Millers changed system, reverting to a back three of Kai Harman, Alex Duncan and Ben Spedding in front of keeper Noah Smith, with Alex Capraro and Harvey Smith the wing backs. Kit Maddox and Harry Wyatt lined up in central midfield, with Joel Boyes Jake Brooks and Frank Woodrow filling the attacking roles. The intention was clearly to start well and seize the initiative early. Woodrow, Brooks and Wyatt all fired in efforts from range, before on eight minutes the deadlock was broken. A fine move from back to front saw Harvey Smith cross from the by line and Woodrow turned home left footed from close range to give his side the lead. The Sky’s keeper produced two fabulous saves, from Brooks and Woodrow, to keep his side in the game, and the home side levelled on the half hour mark. A free-kick from the left was headed home powerfully from six yards out, in a crushing blow to The Millers who had been so dominant but had been punished for their wastefulness. It did not take long for parity to be restored, a long ball from the back was played back to his keeper by a Sky’s defender and as the ball bounced wickedly ‘The Machine’ Woodrow nipped in to nod home his second of the game. Two minutes later and it was 3-1, Jake Brooks, who has been participating in a goal of the season contest of his own during 2020/21, smashed in from 30 yards out, a goal that Gordon Lightfoot would describe as beautiful as ‘a Queen in Sailor’s Dream’. The half drew to a close with The Millers firmly in control.
The instructions were to keep control of the ball and keep control of the game during the opening period of the second half, but it was the home side who started the brighter and they were awarded a penalty just two minutes in. Noah Smith has earned a reputation as a penalty saver over the last few years and he did so again, palming the spot kick away for a corner. Smith has now saved five out of the last seven penalties he has faced, with one sent over the bar and only one scored. Sky’s were punished for the miss almost immediately, Woodrow picking up the ball on the left of the attack, cutting inside and curling in a beauty for long range to complete the perfect hat-trick, one left foot, one header and one right foot, taking him onto an incredible 21 goals for the season (in nine games) in the process. The home side rallied late, pulling back two goals in the last 15 minutes and what looked to be a comfortable win became something of a nail biter. Fortunately Noah Smith remained alert and thwarted their attacks time and again to ensure that The Millers winning run extends to nine games and puts them in a good position in Group A of the Divisional Cup.
Men of the Match: Kit Maddox and Harry Wyatt
Team: Noah Smith (c), Ben Spedding (Adam Hooper), Harvey Smith (Max Gravestock), Kai Harman, Alex Duncan (George Pottage), Alex Capraro (Jack Catterall), Kit Maddox, Harry Wyatt (Fred Valter), Joel Boyes, Jake Brooks, Frank Woodrow
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