Match report New Mills Junior's U8's vs Buxton Junior's Warrior's U8's

It was the last day of half term for our under 8's and we were up against familiar faces in Buxton Warrior's, we've had some tasty battles with them recently and it's clear to see why they are one of the best teams in the league.

We love to test ourselves against the best and although it took us a while to get going, it eventually turned out to be a cracking game! ⚽️

Finn was unavailable this week, he loves these games so he was a big miss for us.

Aiden was back after being poorly and we welcomed back Myles to give us that sharpness in attack!

Almost at full strength this week so with a squad of 9 it only meant one thing... we would need more half time Oranges!!! 🍊

The conditions were very windy, Reuben had a curry the night before so it was double windy!

He made some brilliant saves in the 2nd half to keep us in the game, he was brave to come off his line to block shots and just like Ashley Young his diving is getting better! He took a knock late on but he dusted himself off and carried on, much to the delight of his little brother who is the hardest 6 year old in New Mills 💪🏻

Ned started the game as our sweeper again, he was up against some quality Buxton forwards but he more than held his own.

He knows to play the ball wide and away from danger and it was great to see him mixing it up with some forward passes.

We've loved seeing him progress this season! 📈

Max had his work cut out down our left hand side as Buxton piled on the pressure but he was strong in the tackle and carried us forward when we needed him to. He was rushing his shots in the first half but once he relaxed and settled down we started to see his quality again. He linked up well with Ryan, with most of our best attacks coming down that side 💎

Ryan was relentless on the left, straight out of the blocks to close Buxton down and got stuck into some 50/50 tackles! It was good to see him more vocal this week and he helped himself to a goal in the second half. As the ball bobbled around the Buxton box it was eventually cleared out to Ryan who smashed it first time off one post to the other... whiplash part 2 nice one Ryan! 😅

Harrison was on the scoresheet... again! After an unusually slow start from him he got us a goal right before half time when we needed it most. Buxton had us pinned for large parts of the first half but when we broke forward it was Harrison who got on the end of a through ball, just like Mbappe did to Ederson last week he gave the keeper the eyes and finished with a good old toe poke! 🙈

Myles gave us that extra sharpness going forward, no goals today but he linked up with his mates brilliantly, he reads the game so well... At times it looked like there were 2 of him on the pitch, one minute he's driving a cross into the box and before you can say "well done" he pops up in our own box to make a last ditch tackle! He was positive, encouraging and without doubt had the freshest trim going, pleasure to have you back Myles. ⭐️

In a tight contest it was all about finding the right moments in the game to get Mia on. We know she will give us that energy and she lifted the lads up when they started to gas. She found space down our right hand side, taking defenders with her it allowed us to push further forward when we needed to, it was our best spell in the game! 🤩

It was nice to see Aiden involved again after a few weeks off.

He stuck to his position and listened to the coaches instructions.

He was full of enthusiasm when he came on which was great to see, keep it up Aiden. 👍🏼

In tight games like these you need your big characters, big hair, big player, big Teddy!

He's reading the game so well this season, his positioning gives him the time to recover and he popped up to make some outstanding clearances when our goal was getting peppered. He's the loudest on the pitch, organising players around him and keeping our spirits up.

He was our well deserved player of the match, resolute, reliable and roared us on from start to finish! And... you can always count on him for a trophy picture at the end! 🏆

It doesnt happen often but we started the game half asleep, it's no surprise when we haven't played football for 10 days, half term has been all about watching telly, eating sweets, playing fifa... and that's just the coaches!

What the kids showed us today was just how tough they are physically and mentally, they could have rolled over and chucked the towel in but they stuck to their football and showed courage to drive forward and turn the tide!

Very very proud of you all today kids, well done... back to school tomorrow! 💛🖤

Harrison ⚽️

Ryan ⚽️

Teddy 🏆

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers

#withyouharrylad