NMJFC U9's V Whaley Bridge - 23/11/25 - Season 3 - Episode 11 - We're back at Macc!

"If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when others doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too!"

- Rudyard Kipling

It was great to be 'Back At Macc' on Sunday morning in a hyper competitive game between two teams that go all out against each other and this fixture has produced some of the best games we have seen at such a young level.

The Mini-Millers were missing their Goalie. Reuben was celebrating his Mum's birthday and we needed a Goalkeeper to step in and take the gloves. "I'll do it!" said Ted on the eve of the match.

Finley gave him his best gloves and we drove down together so Finn could pass-on all his experience of playing in net!

This team loves an early start (Well most of them) and it has been proven in past fixtures. Not everybody has been on this journey from the beginning but you wouldn't know that from their individual performances.

Ned, Mia & Joseph were selected as our game-changers and every single one of them put in a proper shift and reminded us as coaches why these kids should be starting?!

Mia certainly did that when she smashed home the 2nd goal that sent our parents & coaches into absolute bedlam!  Mia has added physicality to her game and it's really working.

Ned has always had that toughness and he understood the script and he was taking no prisoners.

Joseph is our 'FireCracker' and incredibly trainible. Joseph is a coach's dream. He followed every instruction and was unlucky not to score himself.

Finn & Max paired up at the back with a clear understanding of the common objective. They were both tremendous and when Finn hit a belter from distance, there was no stopping us!

Max understood the importance of the game and was super safe in defence. He had a lot to deal with but took pride in ensuring our Mini-Millers dominance paid off. Harrison took his time to come alive but when the fuse was ignited, there was nobody better!

Hazza does all the dirty work. The stuff some coaches don't recognise but I can assure you Harrison, you're one of our most valued members of the team! Fully deserved his goal and must be one of our leading goal scorers this season!

On the wing, Myles ran his socks-off. He was fired up for this game and was creating so many opportunities. I say it often but the way Myles is working back and busting a gut for the team is incredible. On the other side was Ryan. Known as 'Tournament Ryan' as he likes to deliver on the biggest stage but was a little withdrawn and not taking people on like normal. A little rest & chat with the coaches and he was back to normal. We want to see that wide-awake and attacking Ryan who is full of confidence next week please.

Our final goal came from Leon. This lad reminds of Dwight Yorke. If you watch him play, everything seems effortless. He just knows where to be at the right time. A sensational ball in from Finn was perfectly converted by Leon. Considering he'd been off school most of the week with illness.... WHAT A PERFORMANCE!

In summary, this was the ultimate team performance. Everything we've done in practice is being displayed on the pitch. It's so rewarding to see you all gel as a team and put in the hard work. Nobody displayed that more than Teddy who took the gloves and was incredible in an unfamiliar position. Keep going Mini-Millers - There is some magic being created right now.

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers