Mellor set off in usual style, dominating the first 5 minutes of play as we looked to repeat our 19 – 0 victory from before Christmas. But we faced a Stockport team that, with some returning players, has improved massively over the Christmas break. Still young, it became clear that this was going to be a tussle as the young Stockport team showed some real skill, speed and determination.
They looked organised, particularly in defence, and despite some early pressure driven by our captain Drew Bickerton, Stockport caught us napping to take a 1 – nil lead. Our response was slow but, as the quarter progressed, shots from Tom Brady and Sam Griffiths saw us claw our way back into the game. With minutes left, the arrival of Ben Tipping saw us level the score at 1 – 1 – some serious work still to be done. Coach Rick threw Sam into attack – an inspired move that would lead us to a convincing victory.
The second quarter started with a great pass from Sam Griffiths to the ever mobile Tom Brady who fires us into a 2 – 1 lead – a lead that we then never looked in danger of losing once Will Macdonald pulled off 3 quick-fire saves as Stockport continued to attempt to catch us on the break. It was a busy day for Will as he took control playing with real confidence in, and around, his goal.
A fine pass from George Shonfeld saw Sam Griffiths narrowly miss before Drew Bickerton added our third before feeding Sam for a 4 – 1 lead. Mellor started to pepper the Stockport goal with near misses from Jamie Mochan and George Shonfeld whilst our defence held firm with Josh Haining and Joe Kynaston playing with real composure alongside Joey Bissell and Alex Chalmers..
After half time a fine move from Alex Chalmers to Josh Haining to Sam Griffiths to Tim Brady saw us take a 5 – 1 lead with the type of fast passing that we’ve been missing in recent weeks. Will had to be on form as Stockport continued to press before a fine long effort from Drew saw us into a 6 – 1 lead.
And is becoming frustratingly common with the boys, we sparked into gear in the final quarter. Stockport, now losing the shape that had served them so well, were struggling to deal with Sam Griffiths in attack who scored a fine solo goal for a 7 – 1 lead . A fast break, started by Joe Kynaston, saw Sam feed Ben Tipping for number 8 before a fine catch and shot from Tom Brady, and another from Sam, took us into double figures. Ben Tipping then fired in number 11 for a solid victory.
Not the best performance but a decent scoreline. We continue to dig in when the chips are down and we’re grinding out comfortable wins when the chance is there – work to do in the semi finals no doubt, and maybe the boys need an earlier night on Fridays so that we wake up before 10.30 on match day – roll on next week!

Man Of The Match - Sam Griffiths - great game from start to finish - held us firm in midfield before leading the line in attack - his best performance of the season - well done Sam!