Match report New Mills Junior's U8's vs Hayfield Junior's U8's

Heads up... it's a long one!

What a week it's been for our under 8's...

Thursday night saw Ollersett field transformed into Wembley, packed out with spectators from far and wide, all gathered in the evening sun to watch the mini millers train, even local celebrity Gary the delivery man made an appearance, big up Gary! 🙋🏼‍♂️

On Saturday, New Mills FC played their last game of the season and we were invited down to Church Lane to be mascots for the day, what an absolute treat for the kids. They walked out with the first team hand in hand, some of them dreaming that one day they would themselves be pulling on the famous shirt of their local club, it was a proud moment for the parents and coaches, a fitting occasion on the eve of our very own final game of the season.

New Mills FC went on to lose the game 1-0, although the kids had an amazing afternoon 😁

On to our game on Sunday and it was Hayfield Junior's who were our opponents, a cracking little team that are relentless! Big shoutout to their number 6 (Asha) who scored an outstanding goal against us! Special mention to their coaches who were so positive and full of encouragement throughout the game, not only for their kids but for our kids too, respect guys 👍🏼

Finn, Ned and Mia were missing today which the coaches took full advantage of, giving every player plenty of minutes ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Fresh off the back of his midweek heroics in training, where Reuben surprised everyone by making some outstanding penalty saves, he carried that form into today's game.

He did everything right for Hayfield's first goal, closing down their number 6 in the first half, making himself big and the angle even smaller but it was a sublime finish in the end, smashing it into the roof of the net from a tight angle, not even Schmeichel himself is stopping them!

He tipped a great effort around the post in the 2nd half and was brave in rushing off his line, sprawling at the strikers feet to make a crucial block towards the end, solid week for Roo in a season that has seen him cement his place inbetween the sticks ⛔️

Hayfield had us on the ropes early in the first half and it was Ted who turned the tide with some crunching tackles!

As we settled into the game he started to find them diagonal passes to our forwards, setting up our attacks from deep.

He was desperate for a goal and was so unlucky with some long range efforts. He's becoming more composed on the ball, he knows when to "get rid" and when to take his time, we've noticed in recent weeks he's asking for the ball more when our attackers don't have options, encouraging the team to reset and start again, not to rush our attacks, I don't know who's taught him that but it's bloody brilliant!

You don't get the recognition you deserve sometimes Teddy but you've come on leaps and bounds this season, a real leader in this group and a popular character with his mates... I'll never get tired of them daft faces in the team photo's 🤪

Max tried his best to add to his goal of the season contenders with some absolute rockets from distance, missing the goal by inches and almost knocking the subs out warming up behind the goal!

With Ted keeping it tight at the back and urging Max forward he was linking up brilliantly with the attackers, playing slightly higher up he was perfectly placed to break up the Hayfield attacks when they caught us on the counter.

Our most improved player award from last season deservedly went to Max and he's somehow gone up another level again this year!

Adding some clever dribbling to his game and a keen eye for goal he's been absolutely fantastic for us, often taking the responsibility to drive us forward when we've needed a goal.

He grabbed another one today with a wild toe poke from distance which fooled everyone and eventually found its way into the bottom corner, it was thoroughly deserved for the big man ⭐️

We loved watching Myles today, without a shadow of a doubt he showcased some of his best football of the season!

Slick on the ball with some tricky dribbling, turning the opposition inside out and causing them problems from the beginning to the end. Some clinical finishing in each half with two very well taken goals, the least he deserved!

He is genuinely one of the nicest kids but don't let that infections smile fool you, he knows when to get stuck in and we've needed that in a lot of games this season. He broke up the Hayfield attacks time and time again and some of the balls he sprayed across their box were out of this world!

I've said it before but it's been an absolute pleasure having Myles back for a run of games, he brings such a positive energy to the group which rubs off on everyone around him, keep shining Myles 💎

After his goal in the penalty shoutout in training, Aiden was desperate for that first goal of the season, it didn't come today but he got about the pitch and made some great clearances in the game, finding his team mates with some lovely passes.

He's trying his best and it's awesome to see!

Keep working hard Aiden and listening to the coaches, your doing really well pal 🤩

Our wizard on the wing... our Ryan scored his best goal of the season!

We've worked on it in training about anticipating the speed and direction of the ball, something we've struggled with for most of the season but it all came together today...

It's usually Ryan putting the crosses in so when Harrison squared one to the edge of the box he's timed it perfectly, catching it sweet with that wand of a left foot, unleashing a bazooka into the bottom corner, a quality finish which brought a massive applause from the parents! He's deserved that goal after missing chances of late, when he catches them like that on that left foot there's only one place it's going!

He finished the game on the left of our defence, an unfamiliar position but he didn't look out of place one bit, relishing the opportunity to remind everyone of his first training session where he took everyone out but the man walking his dog 🤣

Did I mention we had a great training session on Thursday?! They all impressed us... but Harrison... wow! He's looked shattered lately and I don't know what's changed this week... but he was absolutely fully charged and cranked up to the max! We asked him before the game "start fast, don't give them time on the ball, show us what you did in training"... he didn't say anything he just gave us a nod, was he listening? Of course he was! We were knackered just watching him! He chased every ball, pressured their defense into rushing their passes and when the keeper put the ball down he was the first one steaming towards the goal like a mad man! He was pulled by the ref a few times for using his shoulder but as long as its fair, we certainly won't be coaching that out of his game, you need players like that! He was like a kid in a sweet shop getting onto the end of the crosses from Myles, he could ohavescored loads today but had to settle for a tap in after finishing off a brilliant move. We've spoken to his Mum about extra striker training over the summer, something which he's keen to do and after an outstanding first season it's frightening to think how good he can be!

With steam coming off his head at the end of the game and sweat pouring down his cheeks it was an obvious choice for our player of the match, massive shift today from Haz, well done mate 🏆

With that being our final game of the season in the league it has to be said that these kids have done themselves, their parents and us coaches immensely proud.

There's been many highlights of this season... Mia's first ever goal... Ned making a last minute block with his head... Teddy Beckham scoring from his own half... Harrison scoring 6 weeks in a row... Reuben's last minute save against Chapel... Ryans volley against Chinley... Myles scoring 4... Finn scoring 5... Max burying a long range free kick against Whaley... Aiden nearly scoring... They've all improved so much, collectively as a team and individually in their own way.

I'm the goalkeeper coach, half time orange slicer, match report man and the team Barber, I've loved hyping you all up in the match report every week and if this is the last one of the season... what a way to sign off 🫡

As coaches we dedicate our spare time, often giving our last ounce of energy in training after a day's work but when you drive home after a match on a Sunday, wether you've won, lost or drawn it makes it all worth it and you can't wait until Sunday comes back around to do it all again 😁

These kids are genuinely a pleasure to be around, a dream to coach and when your knackered yourself... they re-energize you with their infectious energy!

It's cup final day on the 27th, one more round, one last big push, one last trip to the well!

You all deserve to parade that cup on carnival day, keep smiling, keep shining and do us proud like you always do 💛🖤

Max ⚽️

Myles ⚽️⚽️

Ryan ⚽️

Harrison ⚽️🏆

⚽️🖤💛⚽️

#upthemillers

#withyouharrylad