Northerner's Away Day to Welwyn

To celebrate the end of the season, it was only appropriate to take a small band of brothers to Welwyn for their annual tournament.  With the exception of Portsmouth, it was a true Northerner's day out.  With Stockport, Rochdale, Sheffield, Norbury and Mellor making up the 6 team tournament in the Under 12s.  First up for Stockport, were Rochdale, and a nice comfortable win 6-0 with goals from Cameron (4), Rhys and Hugo.  As is often the case with this format of 6-a-side the games came thick and fast and we were straight into an encounter with Mellor who went away victors at 3-6, with goals from Cameron, Rhys and Hugo.  Next up were Sheffield, and a 6-3 Victory, with goals from Rhys (3), Ashley, William and Cameron.  After Sheffield, a game against our only Southern based team Portsmouth and an 8-3 victory, with goals from William (3), Cameron (2), Luke (2) and Hugo.  Then the last of our round robin games against Norbury with a 6-1 victory, Cameron (3), Luke, Hugo and Rhys, allowing us to progress to the Semi Final, to face Norbury in the Semi Final.  Was it one too many games for us, on this hot day, or did Norbury bring their 'A' game, either way it wasn't to be for the boys in blue, who lost the semi 6-3, Cameron (2), Hugo. 

Lots of good quality training during the Summer, will only see us improve!

Hugo, enjoying the attention from the ladies!

Coolness Personified

The Big McC, Puffing his chest

Poised for another goal

Have It!



OMG!  How did I Miss that?



Will's turn to be chased by the Girls



Thirsty work this playing down South

Little & Large



Never seen such determination

Interesting conversation taking place

Perfect Check

Another goal for Cameron

Jack facing off

Hard Work being a Stockport Goalie

I am sure we will still hear him next year, even if he is on a different pitch or ground!

U12s Semi Final against Mellor

It would appear our season has now culminated in this 'winner takes all' game against a strong team from Mellor.  In a very tight quarter 1, both teams were obviously feeling their way, and not wanting to concede too much ground, it finished 1-1, Mellor scoring first before a late Q1 goal brought us level.  If Q1 was going to plan, our plans certainly were lost in Q2 as we had no response to a strong Mellor quarter, with them running in 5 to our 1.  Every little mistake was punished, with well executed team goals.
At half time, being down so many, one wonders how the young guns will react, as it wouldn't be un-heard of for our heads to drop, with little squabbles in the ranks.  However, this occasion was to big for us to not put up a fight and Q3 momentum was certainly with us and a 4-1 quarter to Stockport brought us back to within 1, and with 1 quarter to go we had belief and a team fighting for every little ball.  In Q4, we managed to draw level, before Mellor got back in front on a couple of occasions.  The only 2 penalties of this excellent contest came in Q4, showing the spirit the match was played in.  Mellor, had a goal disallowed for a stick violation, and possession was with Stockport for the last 90 seconds.  First attempt on goal, a defenders helmet got in the way, but we had a man at X and possession was quickly with us.  24 Seconds to go, and we called Time Out, everyone had their instructions, and we had time for one last attempt which we didn't convert, and the game finished with a 2-2 quarter, and Mellor progress to Rochdale winning this encounter by 1, 8-9.
Well done to all the U12s, and in particular to those boys who have probably played their last game at this level, you will all be missed.  Luke, Jack, Joe B, Ashley and Joe M, good luck with the Under 14s.  Todays scorers were Luke (3), Hugo (2) and Cameron (3), 6 assisted today and some good work between the pipes kept us in the game.

Early driving pressure from Luke

Pressure being applied at both ends of the pitch by Jack

Very disciplined performance at the back, but on this occasion Will breaks free from the back

One of Three today for Luke

Will making sure he doesn't get his shot off

Does anyone know where the ball is?

Joe B driving through

Desperate measures to get the ball clear, everyone getting involved

One of three from Cameron

Don't think he saves this one?

If only, this one went in?

Quick, incisive passing from Cameron and Jack

Good feet

Now this one does go in!

Lots of disappointment on show here

U12s Away at Timperley

It has been some time since we last played Timperley and on the unfamiliar surface, our young men started well, finished well, with two even quarters in-between.  Racing to a 1-4 lead, at the end of Q1, with some exquisite interplay and great finishing.  Second quarter, was even, leaving us leading at half time 3-6.  Due to injury, we had a change in goal, with Luke's ankle causing him concern, Aaron went up front.  The 3rd quarter we seemed to struggle without Luke's presence, with a 2-0 swing in Timperley's favour, we entered Q4 with a slender lead 5-6.  However, Q4, seen us grab 3 and Timperley 2, leaving us victors 7-9.  5 different scorers today, and an absolute peach from Ashley, scorers today were Hugo (3) Ashley, Aaron (2), Cameron, and Joseph (2).  Well done!

Good zone, made the shots come in from distance



Joseph with his first of two

The ever present Will moving the ball well

Not this time, goal for Timperley

Jack was working hard today at face

Hugo with his 3rd

The bigs lads being a nuisance

Jack leaving everyone in his wake

Luke making himself look big.  Took this one right on the knee

Hugo focussing on the ball

Will being strong

Team clear

Aaron with his 2nd today

Ashley growing into the game after his goal