Who can't help but spring out of bed early on a Saturday morning for everyones favourite away game, to be held on the wrong side of the Pennines!

So after the long drive the boys were put through their drills on what turned out to be a huge pitch in blustery conditions. The tension was palpable and you couldn't help but feel the nerves that seemed to be literally filling the atmosphere. That's when it became apparent that all of these nerves were coming from Nick Donovan, who was refereeing his very first match!

The match started slowly with plenty of possession for Mellor who kept the ball well for a good few minutes, all said at a very pedestrian pace. A small taste of what was to come with Eddie shooting wide and Sam having a shot well saved. Sheffield couldn't seem to get out of their own half and finally Mellor made the superior possession pay, Sam driving in, finding Eddie with a fine pass, which he buried from close range. Sadly this wasn't the start of a ruthless streak to take full advantage of our superior skill. We lost the resulting face off and Mellor were lucky when Sheffield hit the post. Almost immediately from that scare a long pass from defence found George who fed Sam to score the second. Sheffield managed to pull one back, Ned made a fine save and then shortly after to maintain Mellors advantage. Despite being by far the better side Mellor were lucky to finish the first quarter 1-2 up!

The early talking point of the second quarter was whether Nick Donovan was ever going to call a foul. When his own son was clattered behind the goal surely now he was going to blow his railway whistle, proudly saved from his Christmas Cracker. Still no flag, had Anne not let him take any of the families yellow dusters out that morning? (I realise this could be construed a sexist comment, and at no time do I mean to insinuate that it is Anne who is in charge of the dusters in the Donovan household?!?)
Mellor quickly regained their two goal advantage with George running around the back of the goal finding Jamie, who took his goal well. It turned out that was the only goal of the quarter. Alex, Joe and Will, were keeping Sheffield to long range efforts. Anything that did find its way through was saved by Ned. Oli was starting to find room on the left and Tom was unlucky not to score, his shot was well saved after a good individual run. There was a bit of good fortune as the home team hit the post and the bar in quick succession. Going in at half time Mellor looked half asleep, they were playing like a group of good individuals, rather than a great team. They were clearly the better team, but it could have been so much better. If you had to give a man of the match for the first half it would have to go to the woodwork, (I know, strictly speaking it's metalwork) keeping the score as it did to 1-3!

Sheffield came out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half, rattling a shot off Neds helmet which sailed over the bar. Thankfully that was the only time Sheffield threatened our goal that quarter. Mellor still far from firing on all cylinders were controlling the game. George scored a fine individual goal, and Josh went close twice. His first was well saved and his second just wide after good work by Jamie.

In the final quarter Mellor eventually woke up! We started to win the face offs, there was more aggression and the team started passing crisply. Eddie was unlucky after he finally tried a run and shot. We held possession for a good spell, after which Sam scored an individual goal running from deep midfield. Sheffield quickly pulled one back, but this turned out to be nothing more than a consolation goal. Mellor were finally firing on all cylinders, the defence were dealing with everything thrown at them and the others starting scoring for fun. Sam getting his 3rd with a powerful shot from distance, Eddie feeding Tom to get his first of the game and then Joey wrapping it up after an assist from Sam! No man of the match this week, but Will deserves a special mention after stepping up to play in defence for the first time!

In the end a very respectable, if not pretty win 8 goals to 2. The only question was why it took so long for the team to start playing? Luckily I was able to ask head coach Rick this very question after the match during an exclusive interview.

"I don't know, I walked into the changing room today before the match and all the boys seemed subdued. I don't know if they had all had a late night or what, but they took ages to wake up?" He said between mouthfuls of his chip butty!

Only a suggestion, how about next time we play Sheffield away, we turn up an hour earlier to give the boys chance to blow away the cobwebs? Unfortunately I already know I will be on the beach in Barbados that weekend!

Goals: Sam (3), Eddie, George, Joey, Jamie and Tom

Match Reporter: Adrian Jenkins