Mellor dominated a young Poynton team from the start today and now march confidently into the Plate Final. From the outset the result was never really in doubt. Mellor had beaten Poynton twice this season, both by large margins and an almost full strength Mellor was never likely to be troubled in this match. Sam Griffiths played up from the U14s giving the team a useful balance and keeping the ball moving. Drew Bickerton was energetic as ever and between the two of them the ball was always moving. Dan Jones, Josh Pink, Josh Poke provided the speed and muscle in the middle of the field and Will Tadman was a tower of strength, clearing up behind them and snuffing out any problems. Ben Tipping had a good solid game and scored a deserved goal and Ben Mochan’s two goals showed his value to the team when they use him effectively. At the back, Nick Hughes and Rory Fell had very strong games again and Josh Haining in particular played very well, cutting out most of what aerial threat there was from Poynton. Will Macdonald, recovering from illness, had very little to do and he should have had a shut-out were it not for a freak own-goal off Nick Hughes’s back. This was Nick’s first goal of the season but celebrations were muted.
So Mellor get to the Flags Finals again. This is the last big final for this particular group of boys. It’s a real credit to their club that they have done it yet again and done it in style. Well done Mellor U16s!
GOALS – Josh Poke 3, Dan Jones 4, Josh Pink 4, Ben Mochan 2, Drew Bickerton 2, Ben Tipping 1
SAVES – 3
Man of the match – Josh Poke. A constant menace and he scored a couple of absolute screamers