Match report Sat 24 Jan 2026 14:30 Richmond Rovers Genoa U7-v-New Mills Juniors U7, Venue: DIDSBURY HIGH SCHOOL
- R.Oakes
- 49 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A bright, dry day for the late kick off at Didsbury High School. There was a chill in the air, but otherwise great conditions for football.
The parents did a great job getting the kids to the venue on time, giving the coaches eight U7's:
Alfred, Angus, Charlie, Henry, Joseph, Louie, Ollie & Seb.
There was a good time to warm up, a team chat before the game, and the goalkeepers selected, Louie for the 1st half & Charlie for the 2nd , both very competent between the sticks.
Some of the key things we noted to improve from the last few games was tacking, cutting out opposition passes, and pressing. Louie & Charlie missing training, but knowing what they have in the locker, were key to this, but they would have half an outfield game each to make it count.
The referee blew the whistle, and New Mills pressed. Richmond Rovers weren't allowed a second to settle, disrupting the opposition and catching them off guard.
Not just that, but tracking back and intercepting passes. New Mills looked strong.
Henry & Angus, were solid at the back. Richmond Rovers barely had a moment outside of their half, Louie covering with safe hands if they did.
On the attack, New Mills looked relentless. Joseph, Ollie & Seb linking up and cracking the Rovers defence on virtually every attempt. They hit the post, shots just wide, saves from the Rovers keeper, and corner after corner. The U7's were banging at the Rovers door, and who popped to slide the ball home, our talisman Seb.
Mid-point of the first half, and time for the game changers. Charlie & Alfred on to save some tiring legs, and the same New Mills pressure continued, but it wasn't all one sided. The Rovers were beginning to find some gaps. When they found a crack through the wall that was Henry & Angus, Louie was on hand to make a save or come to gather a loose ball.
Seb was probing left & right, and it wasn't long before possession was regained in the middle and he tore through the opposition to find the back of the net.
The team were gelling. Pressing from the half way line, when the ball came to the back line, back it went, and who was there to finish a great 1st half...Seb.
Charlie in goal for the 2nd half, meant Louie was unleashed. He paired with Henry at the back to give Angus the opportunity to move up the pitch. Louie proved to be as solid a partner as Angus had in the 1st half, and when given the chance move forward, he really troubled the Rovers.
A few more changes before the final whistle, and there were a few scares at the back as the legs tired, but the whistle ended a very good performance from the team, and each of the NMJFC U7's, one all of them should be proud of.
Alfred: A game changer for this one, and put in a really good shift in both halves. Great tacking and really mixed it up in the middle. Almost scored again.
Angus: Next to Henry in defence for possibly the best defensive performance I've seen. He was alert to every loose ball. He wasn't letting the Rovers pass. Kept the team on the attack in the 2nd half.
Charlie: Another game changer, and did a great job keeping the ball and pushing the team up the pitch. Never shirked a tackle, and put the fear into the opposition. A great 2nd half performance in goal.
Henry: Player of the match last week and what a rock he has become. Composed under pressure and fearless in every challenge.
Joseph: Played a crucial part in keeping the pressure on the opposition. Linked up fantastically with everyone, and only one direction he wants to go. Clipped the post, so unlucky not to be on the scoresheet.
Louie: Goalkeeper for the first half, and clearly kept his team in the game, great hands, long kicks, brilliant. The second half, he played in defence and further forward, and was solid throughout, always in the mix.
Ollie: We swapped him in the 1st half and 2nd , only to keep fresh legs. This boy will chase the ball all day. Not on the scoresheet, but not from want of trying. He was everywhere, with only one thing on his mind.
Seb: This boy was on fire. From the 1st whistle, get the ball, twist & turn and drive for goal. We swapped the team throughout, but whenever he won the ball he looked dangerous.
A very big team performance in this game, every one of them deserves credit, and each contributed...⚽️🟡⚫️🟡⚫️⚽️
The player of the match went to our hattrick hero Seb. Not just for the goals, but for the pressing we did in training and. Well done Seb!⚽️⚽️⚽️🟡⚫️🟡⚫️
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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