Match Report by Austin Brady

This was a thoroughly enjoyable match to watch played between two evenly matched teams. Mellor’s squad ranged from 7 to 10 year olds and consisted of a few girls who had played for older Mellor teams together with over half the squad making their match debut.

Mellor started off the stronger and with some terrific passing between the midfield and attack, took an early lead when Leia opened the scoring. This lead was then extended when Eve skilfully finished off two further great passing moves to give Mellor an early 3-0 lead. After a couple of great stops from Jasmine in goal, Cheadle pulled a goal back just before the quarter time. In the second quarter, some strong running from the Cheadle team led to them creating a number of chances, Mellor’s defence were playing well, but eventually their attack started to find their range and scored 3 goals, with 1 Mellor reply from Eve, to leave the half time score at 4-4.

In the second half, Olivia replaced Jasmine in goal and played extremely well on her debut. Cheadle started off this half the stronger and were starting to find their passing range and with some and good finishing, they took a 6-4 lead. Mellor responded well though and with Alice and Katie working very hard for the team, Mellor started to win more possession and created a number of chances, with both teams scoring to end the quarter at 5-7 to Cheadle.

Despite playing on a large pitch in their first game, the new Mellor girls of Olivia, Edith, Niamh, Erica, Hannah and Harriet never stopped running and fighting for the ground ball. This determination helped Mellor to regain control and 2 quick goals from Eve led to Mellor levelling the scores at 7-7. At this stage either of the teams could have won the game. Cheadle, however were the ones who got the next goal following a quick break and then with the last shot of the game scored again to win 9-7.

Both teams deserved great credit for the way they played today. The emphasis was very much on looking to pass and all the goals from both teams involved a number of players in the build up which at this level was brilliant so see. All the Mellor girls should be proud of the way they played and for the new ones making their debut they will all have benefited enormously from such an even and competitive game.