This was a very one-sided game but played in a great spirit. The half-term lack of numbers meant that this was an eight-a-side game and the large pitch meant that it was always going to be an open game. It suited Mellor who had the greater passing skills and enjoyed using the wide spaces available to them. The team was set up very well and it was definitely the best performance we have seen all season. The movement was quick, clever and unselfish. Against lesser opposition there is a tendency to showboat or be selfish but that’s not the way of this Mellor team. They worked for each other and they stuck to the plan.

It was a good game for goal scorers and Eddie Jenkins really enjoyed the space available to him, playing with confidence and ruthlessness that really stamped his mark on the game. His two goals, plus one from Tom Brady and one from Sam Griffiths made it a very comfortable 4-0 at the end of the first quarter. The margin was increased to 0 - 9 at the end of the first half.

Tom and Sam worked well together and Eddie continued to be a threat. He scored two more in the third quarter and really made his mark as an under 14 player today. Drew Bickerton finally got on the scoresheet too after and a very unselfish, playmaking effort throughout the game. In defence Josh Haining, Joe Kynaston and Will Macdonald were very solid, cutting out loose balls and mopping up when Rochdale attacks were threatening. That solidity in defence might well be the difference between winning and losing this season. The third quarter ended with a comfortable 0 – 14 scoreline.

Rufus Lancaster made it 15 in the 4th quarter, getting the just reward for a lot of hard work in the game and Drew finally got the bit between his teeth and scored another couple of very well taken goals. Will’s day was marred by a single Rochdale goal scored by their best player – Charlotte - but it didn’t stop the onward march of the game and Mellor easily wrapped things up with a 1 – 17 win.

Mellor U14’s are really attractive to watch when they play like this and the solid spine from defence to attack promises good things to come against tougher opposition. Well done Mellor!

GOALS :

Drew Bickerton – 3

Josh Haining – 1

Rufus Lancaster – 1

Tom Brady – 3

Sam Griffiths – 3

Eddie Jenkins – 6

Man of the match – Eddie Jenkins