New Mills Junior's U9's vs Bollington Bolts U9's - 14/12/25

Season 3 - Episode 14: What a weekend for Mia!!

It was a full house again for our under 9's on Sunday, 11 in the squad and 11 days until Christmas... Yessssss!! 🎅🎄 We had loads of fun in training this week with some festive games and everyone being silly but these kids know when to flick the switch and they rocked up to Macclesfield raring to go! To say we started brightly just doesn't do it justice... these lot turned it on from the first whistle! ⚽️🔥⚽️🔥

It was Harrison that got us off the mark with yet another goal from midfield! When the ball was cleared away from their goal he was the quickest to react, he doesn't need an invitation to shoot and he's hammered it home to settle us down! He was a constant headache for the opposition, not giving them a chance to settle and when the battle was on in midfield he came out on top every time, he'd certainly had his weetabix this morning! There's a bit of a partnership forming on our right hand side, as Teddy and Myles are beginning to understand and trust eachother. When Myles ran into trouble Teddy made himself an option, they were playing one-two's around the corner... Teddy played it over the top for Myles to run onto... Myles held the ball up for Teddy to overlap... it was like watching Beckham and Neville in the late 90"s (Gary, not Phil) it was so enjoyable to watch! He didn't put a foot wrong Teddy, executing the defensive plan to perfection and his confidence to dribble with the kick-ins is getting better every week! He showcased his range of passing, chipping it over the top, spraying it wide and playing between the lines, he was chuffed to bits to get himself a couple of assists! As for Myles, he was outstanding! Constantly running at their full backs with a desire to make things happen! Showing courage every week, not only going forward but tracking back to help his mates out! He was so unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, he had some great chances but their keeper had a great game, head up Myles! Our little Schmeichel was kept busy throughout, Reuben made some smart stops when we needed him to. When Bollington piled forward and pressed us in our own half he sent some massive kicks down the other end of the pitch, much to the delight of his defenders! He couldn't stop the goals going in though and when he picked the ball out of the net he was the first one to gee us up "head's up now let's get the next goal" his confidence never dipped! We all know big Max can strike a ball but he only went and whacked one in with his left foot... from pretty far away aswell! We always encourage the kids to try new stuff in training... practice, practice, practice! He's been using his left foot more and he's growing in confidence to shoot with it, hitting another long distance shot that found its way into the net! Our forwards are leading the pack in the race for the golden boot but Max is right up there with them! It was brilliant to see Ned getting right into the thick of it this week, announcing himself onto the pitch with a thunderous tackle! He wandered off a few times though when he was drawn towards the ball but when Bollington broke forward he recovered just in time! His understanding of the game is getting better each week, he's growing in confidence and he's so much more composed with the ball at his feet. He crept forward towards the end of the game, eager to be involved in the attacks and get that first goal but he played a lovely through ball for his mate Leon to tuck away and they both ran back to the halfway line buzzing for eachother! Our little firecracker Joseph has been under the weather all week but when he turned up for training we all had to applaud his commitment to this team! It can take a while for new kids to settle in, especially when you've never kicked a football before but he's right at home with his new football family! We made a right fuss of him on his birthday week and he worked his socks off again, we're all excited to see how he develops into the second half of the season! We've loved having Finn back you know, one of the original 4 kids (see pics) that turned up to the rec on a Saturday morning all them years ago, his Dad always shouting "take a touch Finn" right before blasting the ball into the bushes! We all saw the potential! He's just got that intensity and desire to fight for every ball, I watch all the kids when coach Joe gives his team talks, I'm looking at who's listening... who's not... I look at Finn and his fists are clenched, face snarling, raring to go! His ability on the pitch is mint to watch but the influence he has on this team, the lift he gives to his mates is priceless! He was mustard again today! Leon's our top goalscorer so far and he only went and got his 2nd hat-trick of the season 🥶 Every goal was so instinctive and clinical, he's got a nack of being in the right place at the right time, you can't teach that! His work off the ball is what sets him apart though, he pins himself against the last defender and as soon as we win the ball back he's off, a nightmare to defend against with his constant movement! We know where his best position is now... right up top in the middle of our attack! We're blessed with another little rocket upfront though, Mia gives us a different layer to our attack! She told me she scored a hat-trick for the girls on Saturday... "go and score another one for us today then" it was tongue in cheek... I didnt actually mean it... but she only went and done it! 2 hat-tricks from our strikers and the 2nd hat-trick of the weekend for Mia, 6 goals in 24 hours! Her 3rd goal was unreal though, one of them where you don't celebrate... you just put your hands on your head like "wowwww"! She's controlled the ball with her back to goal, turned the defender and absolutely smashed one into the top corner 🚀 It all happened so quick 😅 The keeper had a great game but he's not stopping them! Sensational Mia!

The whole team put in a top display and with some stand out performances, notably from the two hat-trick heroes Leon and Mia, you might be wondering why neither of them took home the player of the match trophy but it shows you standard of this game, it would take something special to bag that trophy but just like the homemade cheese and onion pie from the Pack Horse... Ryan was out of this world! It's been coming for a few weeks to be fair, after a little dip earlier in the season he was struggling for confidence but he's got his head down in training, worked his socks off and the coaches are buzzing to see him back to his best! He took control of that left wing, driving us forward with his mazy runs, the coaches are filling him with confidence and encouraging him to see how good he is! He was roared on by coach Joe to "get at them Ryan" and when they won the ball back he was turning on the afterburners to get back and defend! I lost count of how many assists he got after sending cross after cross into the danger area, he was so direct and eager to be the creator! Keep working hard Ryan, we know what your capable of, be confident, keep enjoying your football and the rest just falls into place! Our player of the match today was Ryan, top drawer pal! 🏆

It was a thrilling match to watch, plenty of high quality football from both teams. The scores don't matter at this age, as long as they are all working hard, learning and enjoying themselves then everyone wins. We go again next week with the final game of the calender year against Whaley Red's, it's a big one... and we can't wait! 💛🖤

Harrison ⚽️

Max ⚽️

Finn ⚽️

Leon ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Mia ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Ryan 🏆

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers