This was a disciplined performance by Mellor on a very wide pitch but they lacked good finishing. Heaton Mersey were organised but uninspired and Mellor really should have reached double figures.

In the first quarter both teams played careful possession lacrosse. Mellor had more of a cutting edge and Sam Griffiths made the most of two chances to end the quarter 0-2 to the visitors. In the second quarter Mellor’s possession eventually paid off and Ben Tipping finally scored after a few near misses. He then fed Drew Bickerton for a trademark low shot which doubled the score to 0-4

If Will Macdonald was hoping for a shutout he was disappointed as Heaton Mersey rallied in the second half and scored a quick goal from one of the few face-offs they won in the game. Mellor hit back through a cheeky Drew lob but a surprise stab at the ball gave the home side another goal. Mellor were having a little wobble but Sam quickly steadied the ship with another neatly taken goal.

In the 4th quarter the Heaton Mersey goalie let in an own goal and Mellor seemed to be cruising at 2-7. However, after a pretty well organised game the Mellor defence lost concentration and gave away two straight forward goals. At 4 – 7 it briefly looked like the home side would make a comeback but Mellor had one more goal in them, a lovely cut from Sam off a pass by Drew. It was the sort of goal that Mellor should have been scoring all game.

It ended 4 – 8 and the Mellor team certainly never looked like losing. Newcomers, Alex Chalmers in defence and Olly Hague up front both had solid games and they didn’t look at all out of place at U14 lever. Overall, a little on the dull side – Mellor just needed a bit more of a killer instinct.

GOALS :

Sam 4 Ben 1 Drew 2

Man of the match – Sam Griffiths