Another Saturday and another game for the U6s to take their next step on their football journey before taking part in the New Mills Juniors Presentation Day event later.
A nice early kick off and almost a full squad available with Alistair unfortunately unavailable this week.
The previous game against Napoli earlier in the summer league showed they are a talented team but our Millers have grown every week and keen to show it again.
We started with Kingsley taking up the gloves for the first half, Leo and Logan in defence with Kit, Elliott and Lily playing as a 3 going forward.
We had Thomas, Lexi and Jude ready as our game changers to come on when needed.
We spoke to the players before the game this week about bravery. Bravery in football is an important quality to be brave into tackles, brave on the ball, being brave to stay in position and bravery in taking risks to try and make a difference.
The Millers started well with the team pressing forward from the front. Elliott and Lily started brightly at the front getting tackles in and running forward with the ball. An early setpiece led to Lily having a shot hitting the outside of the post. The contest continued with Richmond pushing forward but Leo and Logan were up to the task, epitomising the bravery of the team with superb tackles and trying to play the ball forward. Kit was trying to dictate in the middle and pick his passes through the Richmond lines. The superb effort from the starting team was amazing to see but some of the effort meant we needed breaks. Our game changers Thomas, Lexi and Jude game on for Kit, Elliott and Leo with Thomas slotting into defence, Lexi in midfield and Jude pushing forward. The effort levels didn’t diminish with Thomas working hard on the left side to stop any clear-cut chances and Lexi putting a lot of effort in the middle to try and get on the ball.
Richmond were trying to put more pressure on the Mini-Millers but Kingsley was up to the task in goal. The collective determination of the team was evidenced when a throw in from Richmond led to a shot which was well saved by Kingsley, then the rebound blocked by Lily, Logan then made a tackle to stop a further shot and finally managed to clear the ball off the line before any further shots could come in.
The momentum had swung to Richmond but the Millers tried to press forward again. Some good work Jude in the middle managed to release Lily who managed to get another shot away but just wide. Every week she is getting closer to the goal she deserves, keep working hard Lily we know it is coming soon.
Half-time came and gave us a chance to have a chat with the players and make some more changes.
We reiterated the point about bravery but belief as well in the second half and this continued in the second half. Logan would take the gloves for the second half with Kingsley replacing him in defence. The second half started and Richmond started on the front foot and didn’t want to let up. The Mini-Millers though worked their hardest throughout to make it as difficult as possible for them. Kit was tireless in the middle of midfield, doing his best to win the ball but pick out passes forward. Jude was extremely brave this week as he continually got into tackles and didn’t let the odd forceful contact deter him from continuing to battle hard. Lexi was keen to put the effort in the middle of the park, trying to support her teammates when they needed help but also trying to get her tackles in. Elliott was as tireless as ever, running with almost boundless energy to run forward with the ball but track back.
Leo’s defending was superb as was Thomas and Kingsley at the back. Kingsley showed such determination in his tackling but always seems calm when he receives the ball and picks his pass forward. Thomas was up and down the left with Leo the same on the right. Logan was solid in the first half at the back but showed with some great diving saves in the second, he is quite handy between the sticks. The end of the game came and another superb effort and learning experience for the Mini-Millers to take into their next football adventure.
As ever, we couldn’t be prouder of how much they want to achieve and how hard they work together to achieve – well done all, we have 2 games of the Summer league before we break for the summer.
⚽️🖤💛⚽️
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