U12s Stockport vs Mellor

Mellor v Stockport 16/11

Run to the hills!

The fixture today meant a trip to the spectacular foothills of the Peak District and the infamous slope of Mellor Sports Club, for this highly anticipated fixture. Thankfully, the weather was mild, with blue-sky emerging from behind the clouds at intermittent periods. Despite the previous week’s heavy and persistent precipitation, the pitch was in relatively good condition. The Stockport squad of 12 was feeling positive and with the welcomed return of our regular keeper, Josh, today’s captains Euan and Henry were ready to lead the team out.  Mellor had a visibly larger physical squad but Stockport wasn’t intimidated and the large amount of Stockport spectators became the 13^th member of the team. Game on!

Q1

The first quarter started off on a bright note for Stockport as Mellor scored an own goal 0-1. Following this initial disappointment, Mellor’s number 11 quickly got into his stride, scoring two quick goals to make it 2-1. A further two goals by numbers 13 and 18 made it 4-1 but Stockport showed no signs of giving up and this was turning into a cracking battle. Stockport’s Henry responded with a great low shot that beat the keeper to make it 4-2. More physicality followed from both teams and great work from Freddie should have seen Stockport get a goal back but that that did not prevail. Instead, Henry scored again to make it 4-3 at end of this quarter. A really positive team effort from the Stockport boys.

Q2

The quarter started positive for Stockport, as Jacob scored his first goal of the game with a scoop effort to make it all square (4-4). Mellor’s number 11 once again sprang into action and scored his third goal, taking his team into the lead once more. This quarter saw end-to-end action and there was plenty of ‘banter’ between the coaches, which heightened the atmosphere and spurred the players on. A rocket shot led to a goal from Ethan, propelling Stockport on and making it 5-5. Before this quarter ended, Mellor scored a further three goals (8-5).

Q3

Another positive start by Stockport enabled Euan to score, making it 8-6, but Mellor really hit their stride in this quarter, and the score extended to 12-6 with goals from players 11 and 6. Stockport finally won a face-off and Henry converted this to make it 12-7. Stockport’s physical intensity was showing no signs of waning and this was preventing Mellor from really getting on top of the game. Felix was doing all he could to get his name of the score sheet and was unlucky not to score on several occasions. A further Mellor goal and a goal from Stockport’s Freddie completed the quarter 13-8.

Q4

Stockport were again first out of the blocks and Jacob bagged his second goal of the game 13-9. The crowd intensity was palpable with plenty of encouraging shouts, which seemed to keep the boys fighting on even though the ground was now heavy. Mellor pushed on to make it 15-9 but a good combination between Tom and Henry put Henners on the score sheet again 15-10. Great defensive work from the battling Stockport boys kept the score as it was at the final whistle.

Mellor commented that this was really their first test of the season. A very strong team effort by Stockport made this bruising encounter a bit of a cracker. Well done both teams. A fine watch!