A cold and blustery January morning greeted our first away match of the year.
The usual good turnout of players and parents gathering at The Heatons admired the new green carpet around the tea urn but the mood darkened as the news of no bacon butties filtered through.
However the friendly welcome from the hosts and lack of rain lifted the morale as the boys ran from the changing rooms onto the pitch.

After last week’s big score vs Brooklands a lot was expected from Mellor as the crowd got into position with the smell of Adrian’s Pomegranate Noir hanging in the air and it was great to see Jen K in the stands fresh from her hot pink nails appointment.

The first face off was lost as was Mellor’s midfield however great attaching play from Ellis and good early running by Theo led to 2 good attempts both foiled by Heaton Mersey’s keeper.
The deadlock was broken when Ellis assisted for Miles P to score the first goal of the match. However Heaton Mersey were playing well and Mellor seemed to be struggling to find their shape with huge open areas in midfield being gifted to the opposition culminating in an HM equaliser followed by 2 saves by Fredrick.
Mellor reacted well and Miles P scored 2 goals in quick succession both ably assisted by Finn. HM got one back before Fredrick released Finn to assist Miles Q making the score 4-2 at the first break.

The second quarter started well with Charlie hitting the post and Finn scoring off the rebound. However Mellor were still struggling to get going and their passing was poor to say the least. Great running from Charlie and James S and good passing by Seb, Oli and Theo kept Mellor going culminating in a fantastic run from Charlie to score followed by Ellis assisting Miles P to make it 7-3 at half time.

The 3rd quarter started well for Mellor with Charlie passing to Eddie to be denied by a save off the post followed by a good through ball from Fredrick to Miles Q who narrowly missed with his shot. Good defensive work from Robbie, James S, Oli and Jacob kept HM at bay and Mellor now started to play more openly with a goal from Ellis assisted by Robbie before Fredrick released James S to run the length of the pitch pausing before scoring to make it 9-3. Further goals from Charlie, Miles Q assisted by Finn and Sammy completed a good quarter with the score at 11-3.

The final quarter followed the same pattern with a hat-trick from Finn (and assists from Eddie and James K), a good goal from Jacob assisted by Finn, a goal for Eddie off Theo’s assist and the final 2 goals by Miles P (with assists from Charlie & Eddie).
James K also had a good shot saved while James S ran well again and hit the post.

A good game played in good spirit - Final score was 18-4 to Mellor with hot dogs to follow.

Men of the Match: Charlie & Theo

Next up: Timperley Away in the Cup

Match Reporter: Angus Wilson