New Mills Junior's U9's - Greater Manchester Cup Champions 🏆 - 09/05/26

Season 3 - Episode 27: Everybody get in the van!!

What a week it's been for these little superstars... after a League Cup Final win last weekend over Team Goal Girl's U10's it was time for tournament season to kick off!

What better place to start - down at Hazel Grove in the world famous Greater Manchester Cup! We were down to the bare bones with only one sub but this team is full of grafters and the lad's were raring to go! No sooner had we unpacked the car the heavens had opened ⛈️ the weather was horrendous, im writing this the next day and I can still feel the cold 🥶 thunder and lightning and what felt like a monsoon meant there was a short delay so to pass the time I ate all my butties... a schoolboy error in the end as I was starving halfway through the group stage 🫠

After a great start we played some brilliant football but somehow found ourselves with only a point on the board going into our final group game... the prospect of going home early to dry out and get warm was appealing for some but for the lads who were already soaked it was time to turn it on! The coaches switched it up for this one, not only a change in the system but a quick change into our lucky training tops! Coach Joe's van became a mobile dressing room, a place to keep the kids warm inbetween games and get the oranges out! Luck favours the brave they say... "let's go for it lads" 💪🏻

After a 2-0 win in the final group game, thanks to goals from Max and Myles, we'd made it through to the semi final... just!

The semi final was end to end with both teams throwing the kitchen sink at it! Leon pressed high and held the ball up just when we needed to get out, like he's done all season he was a constant outlet to get us up the pitch. Harrison worked just as hard getting back as he did going forward, doing his best to support Leon and busting a gut to get back and defend.

Max was rubbing his hands together when we asked him to play further forward, a masterstroke in the end, he was powerful, direct and the opposition just couldn't handle him! His goal in the final group game was an absolute rocket!

At the other end we moved Myles into defence, like a young John Stones! He was calm and composed on the ball, often reading the danger and playing the ball forward for the wingers to run onto. His finish in the final group game was a proper peach, curling one into the top corner after some great work from Leon! A draw in the semi final meant the spotlight was on the penalty takers... the lads kept their cool and when Reuben saved one it was time for the memories of the Mike Doyle Cup Final to be well and truly buried when captain Teddy stepped up to seal the win! That one was meant to be and you could see how much it meant to him, everyone was chuffed to bits to go through but even more chuffed for Teddy ❤️

The final was set and the lads showed unbelievable character, increasing the tempo and playing some lovely passes. They saved their best performance until last against Prestwich with an early goal to settle the nerves... Ned was playing out of his skin! The New Mills Nigel Winterburn cranked it up a level! They couldn't match his aggression and after winning the ball back in his own half he knocked it out of his feet and played a through ball through to Ryan... he beat his man but his touch took him out wide... we all shouted for the cross but somehow he's wrapped his foot around it and buried it into the bottom corner from the tightest of angles! It's always the left footers 🚀 He had a great tournament so all of us were buzzing when he put that one in!

Prestwich came back swinging, throwing everything at us in the last few minutes, everyone got back to defend, desperately throwing their bodies in front of shots, determined to see the game out... they hit the bar... the post... and just when the ball scrambled to the edge of the box it felt like time stood still... they leathered a shot that looked to be heading in but Reuben got down low to parry it away... an unbelievable save... when the rebound dropped to the same player he made himself big and sprawled at their feet, double save, big and brave, he's kept us in it! Before we could shout to clear it Myles has toe bunged it into their half... anywhere will do... phew! The lads held on until the final whistle, they'd done it, stuck together, backed themselves and dragged eachother over the finish line! 🏆

They've had their moments over the years this group but this was right up there! What a day and what a team! Making memories with their mates that will last forever! These kids are special and just like the weekend before their families beamed with pride at the trophy presentation!

Dream big kids & keep playing like that and you'll be alright! 💛🖤

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nmjfc-opf