Cheetahs under-13s girls put in one of their best ever performances as they beat B Pro Football Vixens 5-0.
Coach Alex said: "What a pleasure to be dragged out of bed early on a Sunday and have the privilege of ‘coaching’ what I think was the best performance, ever, for our girls. Technically and strategically, it was a near perfect team performance.
“We’ve struggled to get going in games recently and it’s cost us but this time the girls corrected that.
“It took just six minutes to find the net with a sterling finish from Aoife under some heavy pressure. This settled the nerves and in every area of the pitch the girls took charge.
“Our defence was strong and confident in coming for the ball, closing down the opposition and then finding a team mate to begin the attack.
“The opponents struggled to find any space to play through and those few chances they did manage were dealt with brilliantly.
“Generally the touches, passing and runs/movement all over the pitch made this a very watchable game.
“You know it’s going well as a coach when all you’re doing is shouting ‘good this’ and ‘lovely that’. Every player from goalkeeper to strikers madequick, decisive choices and didn’t put a foot wrong.
“Pearl and Sian both found the net before half time and then Summer put two in the net in the second half.
“Players of the game could have gone to anyone as all 12 of them were brilliant, but Charlotte and Katy just pipped it in defence.
“Both coaches felt they never gave up and were brave in the tackles - they both made plenty of driving runs too and delivered some fabulous balls to aid transition.
“In the words of manager Chris ‘they made it look easy, when it really isn’t’.”
Under-10s boys Panthers took on a tough Uppermill team.
Coach Ste said: “With the wind in our backs we didn't start quite as switched on as hoped and it felt like it could be a long afternoon. However, we weathered the early territorial dominance of Uppermill and started to move play into their half and create chances.
“Our first goal came from James who fired from the right into the far top corner. A great strike. We knew we had to make the most of the wind advantage and battled hard for another, which came yet again from James, hammering a free kick into the top right this time.
“In anticipation of a tough second half we played a more defensive formation in the hope of catching them on the break.
“The whole team worked really hard to push them back. Our tactics so nearly paid off as we hit them on the break a few times.
“We had several corners in this game which we'd been working on in training, and it so nearly came off with James hitting their crossbar close to end.
“The boys didn't panic and kept going, so massive congratulations to everyone. Special shout out to Freddie and Rocco who played the entire match, and James for his brilliant goals.
“Player of the match was so hard to choose, however Rocco got it for being the rock in the defence that kept them at bay. Well done everyone, throughly enjoyable game to be a part of.”
Jaguars under-10s boys (pictured) also impressed in their game against Shawside.
Coach Tim said: “It was an excellent team performance on a blustery Oldham morning. Shawside started strongly but it wasn’t long before the Jaguars created chances.
“James’ long range strike proved too hot to handle for the opposing keeper. Meanwhile Flynn was performing well in defence and Phaedon offered a threat going forward.
“The boys start well after the break but conceded, so the coaches made an attacking change and it unleashed the Jag’s potential.
“Soon after Ned’s slide-rule pass released Riley who finished confidently. Riley added another after some good team pressing, before he completed his hat-trick sparking wild celebrations.
“Shawside put Jaguars under pressure but Stanley and Gabriel were resolute. Sandro came to the team’s aid on many occasions, and tipped a fearsome shot onto the bar.”
Wolves under-11s boys put in what coach Ben said was possibly ‘the performance of the season’ in their game against Rochdalians.
Ben said: “Right from the off, the lads had the bit between their teeth, and showed total dominance from the first whistle.
“With wave after wave of attacks, the Wolves pinned Rochdalians in. It was Max Entwistle who stepped up with a sublime half volley that nestled low in the bottom corner to the keepers right. It was worth waiting for because it was a genuinely lovely strike.
“At half-time the message was simple - keep knocking on that door, have some composure and we'll get more goals.
“The start of the second half was a carbon copy of the first, hustling, pressing and some nice combinations.”
“Teddy was looking lively all game and it was him indeed who was next to breach the Rochdalians defence. There was a lovely through ball for him to run onto, with the oncoming keeper rushing out, Teddy placed high and wide into the net with a superb finish.
“Thomas, who was deputising for Rory, had hardly a save to make but when he was called on he was a safe pair of hands.
“With the clock running down, it was another attack with Harry running onto the ball with the keeper once again caught off his line. There was a melee before the ball dropped perfectly on the edge of the area to Max E to loft a superb lob high over the keeper.
“Every single one of them was brilliant. The defence mopped up whenever they were called upon and stood up to every challenge they came across. The midfield was steadfast and resolute and we're a genuine handful every time we picked the ball up.
“Player of the game went to Teddy. It could have easily been any of the lads but Teddy was a thorn in their side constantly throughout and had some great shots.”
Raptors under-13s boys drew 3-3 with Pennine Juniors.
Coach Paul said: “It was an outstanding team performance. We started the match strong, pressing the ball and breaking down their back line.
“The final shots just weren't coming off with heavy touches and good tackles keeping us at bay. Our nemesis, the ball over the top, struck again and they took the lead against the run of play.
“Raptors rallied and kept the momentum going but again fell to another two identical goals - ball over the top and not able to recover.
“The second half saw us spring into life, actually managing to get some shots on target. Thomas S found the bottom corner from outside the box.
“This spurred us on and the shots and opportunities were coming thick and fast. Pennine couldn't get out of their half with Cameron playing at centre half stopping every attempted ball through.
“Luca was non stop, he played a ball down the left to Tommy who took it inside and slotted home our second.
“Pennine kicked off and passed it all the way back to the keeper, thanks to excellent pressing he missed the ball and it rolled straight through for the chasing Luca to level it.
“Sadly there wasn’t enough time for a winner. Cameron player of the match for covering every inch of Sparks in an outstanding display.”
Phoenix girls under-11s were out of luck in their muddy battle against an impressive Moorside Rangers.
Moorside's keeper had a stormer, including a wonder save to deny a thunderbolt from the ever-dangerous Adalind in the first few minutes.
On a heavy pitch, the girls ran themselves into the ground, none more so than player of the game April, who was unfortunate not to score after creating a number of chances through mazy dribbles.
Lois impressed in midfield, adapting her game to the conditions, working up and down the pitch.
Her midfield partner Noe always kept the ball alive and toiled against an impressive defence.
Behind them, Lola and Annabel held down the fort in front of the back line and Mia once again showed her versatility as she flitted from defender to all-action left sided marauder.
Iris worked the flanks and kept the Moorside rear guard occupied. Blake showed real poise on the ball and her confidence is growing with each game.
Grace and Brooke made countless crunching challenges and always sought to pass. And as always super keeper Isabella made several first class saves to match her opposite number.
There were a lot of positives to take from their morning's work.
