U12s at Home V Mellor

As I often look forward to our games on a Saturday morning, I was eagerly anticipating this one more than ever.  Through no fault of our own, it has been a while since we played decent opposition, and one wanted to see how far we have come since our earlier encounter in 2016.
It is fair to say, that for the first 2 quarters we seemed to be holding our own and exerting a bit of pressure onto the excellent Mellor team.  With some early Mellor pressure, our new look defence were doing a sterling job, of the zone, limiting Mellor to some shots from range.  Once we had the ball, we broke with speed and good interplay to score a couple, before Mellor pulled one back to make it a 2-1 quarter.  Q2 followed a similar pattern, good defence on our part, quick breaks and another couple of goals and we found ourselves 4-1 to the good just before the break.  Mellor pulled a couple back, to make it 4-3 at the end of Q2.  When their 3rd went, maybe the pendulum had swung in Mellors favour.
Unfortunately Q3 was a different game all together, with relentless Mellor pressure taking its toll.  We simply couldn't win the ball, and when we did, we didn't hold onto it long enough to give the defence a break.  Little errors, some indecision, form the young lads in Blue and Mellor put 6 past us in Q3, for no reply on our part.  Heads started to drop, but still there was encouragement from within the teams, and coaches, and we wanted to make Q4 more of a contest.  Q4 started, the boys in Blue getting a little tired, Mellor managed to get another couple before we managed a consolation making the final score 5-11.  From 4-1 up we found ourselves 4-11 down, and despite our early play, Q3 got away from us, and there was no way back.
Some stats to consider.  Scorers Cameron (3), Rhys (2).  A staggering 16 saves from Aaron.
Despite the loss, the game was terrific, two excellent teams, playing good lacrosse at U12 level, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Wish we could play quality opposition every week!

Great ground ball, then just lost his footing

Strong defending kept this one out

1st one for Cameron today

Rhys fed on the crease, finishes calmly

Strong Performance in the Sticks - This one is saved

Will trying to roll this one in, Just wide

Slowing it down to catch our breath

Eyes Wide Open

Excellent finishing today from Rhys

Indra sticking to the task, and his man

Does anyone know where the ball is?

Sticks in the Air

 

Despondent?

Tight marking again

Sticks are about to rain down on Will B

Tried everything to win at face today, here's one try without the opponent

Luca and Ben, kept the defence guessing when we had the ball

Dean, keeping his eyes on the man

I know it hasn't always been the case in recent weeks, but the next few photos show the desire both teams had in winning the ball.  Lots of good contest all over the pitch

 

And finally, to sum up our morning a little shot of Will showing how they all felt at some stage of the game

 

I know the passion of the game is important, but here's an image to prove it is just that - A Game.

SMILES all around 

 

U10s Tournament at Bramhall HS

Sunday afternoon saw the under 10s competing in a tournament with 10 other teams. The games were a fast and furious ten minutes with a decent rest period in between the matches.

First up we were against a Liverpool team who turned out to be the eventual runners up behind our old friends from Cheadle. However at this early stage we gave them a good game and chances were at a premium at both ends and it finished 0-0.

Next up were Mellor and an even contest ended 1-1 after we had gone ahead only to concede a late equaliser. Again our play was built on solid, well-organised defence and breaking quickly into attack which made it hard work for the middies but coach Steve used a sensible rotation policy to keep fresh legs on the pitch.

Our third game was against Norbury Green and despite being up against a bigger team we competed fiercely and came away with our first win of the day.

This raised expectations for the final match and dreams of making the semi-finals but unfortunately we lost 0-1 to Mersey Black and missed the top four of the league table by a single point.

Overall the lads did really well, listened to the coaches advice and worked brilliantly as a team supporting and encouraging each other as well as having fun.

Thanks to everyone who came down to help and support, especially Will Baker who must have spent most of his weekend on or around lacrosse pitches.

The games were so fast that I didn’t get many pictures, sorry folks.

Any guesses what was being shouted from the sidelines at this point?

I think the midfielders had just got back in time to see the ball go the other way again

Can coach Steve get the lads organised for the team photo?

He's getting there...

Success! And as if by magic Blandy appears

The man-marking improved through the afternoon, here's one for the textbook.

U12s Visit to Rochdale

In our first visit to Rochdale for a couple of years, we came up against a young inexperienced team in Rochdale.  With 11 boys in blue turning out, we were soon 6-0 up in Q1, dominating at face, and with more momentum in Q2 we were 12-0 up at the end of Q2.  We were able to mix and match the teams allowing players to take up different roles, and allowing our keeper the opportunity to roam.  The 2nd half allowed us to extend the lead further, with an addition of 7 more goals to Rochdale's 1.  Special mention to the keepers, Rochdale's keeper working hard and doing well, Stockport's keeper being patient, and the save made by Rhys as a stand in whilst our keeper was on walkabout. 
Lots of goal contributions from Rhys (6), Cameron (8), Luca, Indra, Jay, Ben and Will, providing us with a 19-1 victory. 

Defence is Ready

Why Am I So Lonely

Another dominating performance

Scoop and Go

One of 8 today

The little uns working hard

Keep your eyes on the ball

In the Back

Making sure its a Stockport ball

Up close and Personal

Keeper going Roaming

U10s Away at Cheadle

We came up against not one but two good Cheadle teams for our first outing of 2017. A late withdrawal meant that the four-way tournament was reduced to a single match with the boys in blue taking on a Cheadle squad who were able to rotate a full team whenever they needed a rest. Despite this disadvantage our boys competed well through the whole game although it was obvious that we together as a team at this level for several weeks.

In the third and fourth quarters we did start to get a bit tired but we always looked threatening going forward. Some sensible refereeing certainly helped the game to flow and there was plenty of encouragement for both sides from the spectators.

Even when the game was over the boys had to fight there way through the girls teams to get to the hotdogs.  It was one of those days.

Well done to all involved and we don’t have too long to wait until the big tournament of the year at Bramhall on the 5th Feb.

Jacob launching a dangerous pass

All quiet at the back

Plenty of bodies in defence and the keeper on his toes

We've got them outnumbered but still look second favourite for the ball this time

Alfie using his pace to get out of a tight spot

One of them is bound to stop him

Freddie is in on goal and he doesn't miss many from there

Some advice from the goalie?

One of the usual ground-ball shots