The mistakes and sloppy play of the first half of the Wilmslow game were repeated in the Norbury match. Norbury looked bigger and more organised than Mellor. Also, they were fresh, whereas Mellor had just huffed and puffed their way through a dogged fight with Wilmslow. Norbury passed the ball around neatly, defended zonally and generally looked like a well-coached team. They were also keen to avenge the Cup Final defeat of last season. So it was a real surprise when against the run of play Tom Brady managed to wriggle his way through and score a tricky goal. 1-0 to Mellor. It didn’t last.
Norbury’s number 13, bigger and technically better than a lot of the other boys on both teams was a constant menace. It was his high pop in when Will Macdonald was knocked to the floor that brought the teams level. Mellor’s response was too many long passes, too many wild shots and too many wasted chances. Tactical discipline started to crumble as a busy Norbury pressured. Luckily Norbury were reliant on a few good players and a lot of their plays were too wild. It was all feeling a little bit beginning-of-the-season. Will Macdonald had to make another good stop but moments late Norbury took a deserved lead when a fast shot spun out of Will’s control and into the net. Mellor were starting to look like a team in trouble. The busy Norbury number 13 added to Mellor’s woes with a well taken goal to make it 1-3. Will Macdonald was called on to make a brilliant save but once again the defence couldn’t stem the tide and the Norbury 85 broke through to make it 1-4. Mellor were grateful for the end of the half.

The second half response however pointed a way to the future for Mellor U12s this season. Sam Griffiths was pushed up front, giving the attack extra bite and the team in general seemed to regain their focus. The arguments and protests of the first half were replaced for the first time with a proper team display. George Shonfeld, the youngest Mellor player, was also one of the most effective, offering up short passes and neat plays. He looked like a star of the future. Mellor clawed back to 2-4 through a wonderfully worked goal from Sam Griffiths. Drew Bickerton then followed up with a reward for his busy labours - a well taken goal. Norbury complained about an infringement but the goal stood and Mellor were now only 3-4 down. Norbury’s response was immediate. From the face off (which Mellor hadn’t had much success with in both games) the Norbury number 85 scored a solo goal and the Mellor defence were once again exposed. However, Mellor had more fighting spirit now and didn’t let it get them down. They fought back with a great goal from Sam Griffiths and that was closely followed by another good goal from Eddie Jenkins, whose spirits seemed to have been raised again after a quiet match so far. The score was now 5-5 and Mellor had the bit between their teeth. Norbury started to commit too many fouls and lost good players to penalties at crucial times. Finally Tom Brady took a pass well and went on a mazy little run before firing in from a tight angle – 6-5! Norbury had no response and Mellor ran down the final minutes looking the better team.
There’s a long way to go for this new team but there were very good signs that Mellor U12 can perform well this year. They need shake off the rust of summer and learn to believe in the team tactics. There is a spine of experienced players throughout the team and some really exciting young prospects in Jamie Mochan and George Shonfeld. Mellor has never been a team that is reliant on a couple of individuals, they have succeeded in the past by having good technique, a good understanding of tactics and a great team spirit. This young team have a lot to live up to but they are very capable of achieving great things.
Man of the match – George Shonfeld