Match Report - Sat 13 Dec 2025 13:40 UK Sports Oranges U7-v-New Mills Juniors U7, Venue: DIDSBURY HIGH SCHOOL

The penultimate game of the calendar year, before the Christmas break, and a venue & time change for this fixture.

Didsbury High School was the venue, and a later kick-off time of 1.40 against UK Sports Oranges U7. 

Considering the greater distance, a sterling effort from the parents ensured New Mills had a full team ready to go well before kick-off.

No Angus, Caleb, Charlie or Louie, so just six U7's for this fixture.

Henry & Tobias were volunteer goalkeepers, and the opposition agreed to 6v6, so no subs for this one.

Perhaps it was the later kick-off, but New Mills started brightly, Henry very commanding in goal, Tobias solid at the back, Alfred sweeping up anything that came into the New Mills half, Seb with his trickery on the left, Joseph battling to break forward from the right, and Ollie in the mix through the middle always looking to break.

If it wasn’t for a great display from the opposition keeper, New Mills could have been three or four goals up in the first 20mins.

The mid-point of the first half saw the UK Sports Oranges click into a different gear. They were matching the New Mills in the middle of the pitch and continually finding their threat in front of goal. First from range, hitting the bar, then finding space behind Tobias. Henry was in fabulous form in goal, coming off his line to cut out the threat on the ground and in the air, but the Oranges pressure was beginning to show. 

Within the last 10mins of the first half the Oranges had hit the target from outside & inside of the box, half time came at the right time for New Mills.

A drink & regroup, the message from the coaches: more of the same in effort, but stay in position and track back when out of possession.

The second half started with Tobias in goal, and Henry at the back, otherwise the same formation as the first half.

Tobias took on where Henry left off in goal, meeting the ball with his hands, coming off his line to intercept. 

Henry the boss at back, not just stopping the ball & clearing, but dribbling through the opposition front line to deliver to the New Mills attack.

Alfred stayed in position sweeping up the field or out of play to safety.

The Oranges still looked dangerous, but all NMJFC U7's were battling for the ball, and it made the difference. Ollie was beginning to find his range, and finally tucked the ball into the Oranges goal.

Seb & Joseph were all over pitch, tracking to regain possession and push the team forward.

Seb continually moving to the right, cutting across onto that wand of a left foot. Off the post, saves from the Oranges keeper, but finally Seb wriggled through and his persistence paid off with a fine finish from close range.

Likewise, Joseph was moving from right to left to find the ball. Endless energy through the middle, shots just wide, saves from their keeper, but with sustained New Mills pressure Joseph was through and took his opportunity to strike the ball into the goal with precision.

Henry was immense throughout the second half, and with another assist Ollie found the back of net for his second of the day.

The U7 performance in this game was one of energy and resilience. Every player played their part in a very good game of football.

Alfred: He was sweeper today, and goodness me, he stuck to his task brilliantly throughout.👏

Henry: Fabulous performance in goal, and the governor in the second half to lead the turnaround.👏

Joseph: Clearly wanted to make difference, used his teammates & found space.👏

Ollie: Really got in the mix, but there is only one thing one this boys mind.👏

Seb: An all round performance, trouble to opposition throughout, always there for the team.👏

Tobias: So solid in the first half, and what a performance in goal.👏

The coaches couldn't be prouder of the team, and all deserve credit for their effort.

Player of the match could have been given to any of the six, they all performed that well...but PotM went to Joseph. He was there in almost every challenge, covered almost every blade of 3G grass, got his goal, but most importantly played for his team.

Well done Joseph and all NMJFC U7's...👏👏👏👏

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers