It was another glorious sunny Sunday morning for the under 8's this week and despite the early kick off the kids were raring to go! 🌞⚽️🌞⚽️
We were up against our mates from down the road, Chapel Town Yellows, a team that are unbeaten in the league so far this season, what an unbelievable achievement 👏
So when we told the kids in our pre match team talk, "nobody has beaten these lot this season"... their tails were up!
Aiden, Max and Finn were unavailable this week and to add a little more flavour to the occasion it was 'silent support weekend' which both sets of coaches showcased impeccably 😁😁
Despite our quick start to the game it was Chapel who landed the first jab, testing Reuben in goal early doors.
A long range effort which looked to be heading into the top corner was caught by the big man, good hands!
He had to be precise with his goal kicks as we know Chapel like to press high and when the ball was turned over in our own half it was Reuben who was off his line to pressure their attackers into rushing their shots.
There was nothing he could do with an unstoppable long range effort from Chapel in the 2nd half but he finished the game strong, making some outstanding saves, his positioning and reflexes were bang on! 😤
We knew it would be physical today and Harrison was well up for the battle!
He didn't give their defenders time on the ball, hurrying them and closing them down in their own half, when the ball was played to their forwards he was busting a gut to get back and help out his own defenders.
He was brave going forward and when he lost the ball he used his strength to win it back.
When Chapel failed to clear the ball in the first half it dropped to Harrison on the edge of the box and just like last week it felt like we were in slow motion again 😅
He's smashed it into the roof of the net, what a finish and very well deserved after another top shift! 🔋
Ryan's had some awesome games on that left wing this season and today's performance was right up there!
I get dejavu writing these but the crosses he was putting into the box were brilliant, one late in the game had both sets of coaches on their knees when he's zipped one across the goal and Harrison was inches away from tucking it away... we just struggled to get onto the end of them, something that us coaches will address at Thursdays training session...
There was no let up from Chapel down our left side in the 2nd half but Ryan dug deep and showed us his toughness and determination, absolutely brilliant today Ryan 💪🏻
With our big man Max missing today it was big Teddy who stepped up to the plate and put in a class performance!
When Chapel pressed us high up the pitch he was calm and composed, playing them diagonal balls to our forwards at every opportunity.
Between himself and Myles, we lost count of the amount of blocks they made, they blocked everything but the sun, which was a relief really because I was in shorts and tshirt and it was absolutely freezing in the shade but anyway back to the game... it might be luck... good positioning or a bit of both but they certainly put their bodies on the line today!
A freak own goal right before half time would have been a confidence killer for Teddy a few months ago but not anymore, he's become so resilient and determined and to see him come out in the 2nd half... head cleared... fully recovered... that attitude is absolutely bang on Teddy! 👌🏻
When we found out midweek that we would be missing some players it was a bit of a relief when we got the thumbs up from Myles on Friday night!
Playing at the back with Teddy he had his work cut out tracking the Chapel forwards, going toe to toe with their best players, often coming out on top!
When Chapel pressed us high he used his pace and quick feet to dance his way out of trouble and carry us forward, it paid off in the first half when he edged forward and as the ball rolled out to the corner of the box he unleashed a first time effort that the Chapel keeper couldn't keep a hold of!
He's phenomenal going forward but we've been so impressed with his defensive work this season, he's been outstanding!
We thought his game was over in the 2nd half when he collided with one of the Chapel lads but after a quick check over from his Dad he back to his feet like nothing happened.
He's been poorly all week and when other commitments clashed with today's game he made sacrifices to be available!
Our player of the match today went to Myles, a shining example of commitment, determination and heart, he lifted everybody up today, big up Myles 🏆
I'm coming to the end of my 2nd year as a grassroots football parent/coach and yesterday before our game I thought I'd seen it all... an under 7's player scoring a bicycle kick from a corner 🤯🤯🤯 Elliott Taylor take a bow pal!
No bicycle kicks today but I'm not exaggerating when I say that everyone watching us could have watched that game all day!!
Two teams playing some of the best football we've seen up at Glossop, taking it in turns to control the game and then pepper each others goal!
Both sets of kids representing their clubs to the highest of standards. 👏👏👏
New Mills were buzzing at the end, win, lose or draw... it doesn't matter... they were all superstars today 💛🖤
A fantastic start to our Sunday, topped off by the Liverpool/ Newcastle result 🕺
But sadly as coaches we don't always get things right and today was a perfect example of that.
In a game that was so intense it's easy to get lost in the moment, it isn't until the game has finished that it hits home and today we couldn't give our subs the minutes they deserved, apologies on behalf of all of the coaching team and we promise to make up for that next week... coach Joe said he will buy everyone an ice cream... I'll have a screwball please Joe 😎
Harrison ⚽️
Myles ⚽️🏆
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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