Diamonds under-12s girls cruised to victory in the much-hyped top of the table derby against Prestwich All Stars.
Coach Mark said: “This wasn’t just for Prestwich bragging rights this was two teams who are vying for the BBDFL section A title and both came into the game with 100% win records.
“The girls were all up for it from the off and as well as being really good footballers they have an unbelievable work ethic, a great togetherness and team spirit and would literally run through a brick wall for the coaches and each other.
“We were to go 1-0 up within the first 10 minutes with an Erin goal off an Eva assist. Unfortunately Erin wasn’t to last the first half and succumbed to illness but she had done what she does best and got us in the lead.
“This led to a formation change with Maria playing as the number nine and us switching to a back three with Mia joining the rock solid Elsa and Frankie at the back.
“Essi moved from central defensive midfielder to partner Eva in the middle where she really started to pull the strings and show off her footballing intelligence.
"Maria was soon to double the lead off another assist from Eva. Soon after Maria got her second, which she made herself and that big smile lit up St Mary’s Park.
“Her great form continues, her physical strength matches her talent, and it is all even more impressive given she is playing a year up.
“Captain Violette and wing partner Layla’s running for the team is insane, both offering so much in defence as well as attack and are so pivotal in how we set up.
"Maria asked for a break at half time as she had given so much in the first half. The pacey Layla went up top and kept All Stars sitting deep with her threat.
“This gave Mia the chance to show off wing skills and her great feet saw her constantly getting beyond their backline with Jeanette going in to defence where she was to convincingly win her duels.
“Eva was to round off the scoring with a goal her performance merited off an assist from Maria.
“We were so solid at the back with Elsa and Frankie putting in monstrous performances week-in-week-out.
“But, when needed, Mia and Jeanette slot in seamlessly and are prepared to play as either fullback and alternate that with spells on the wing. They are both such team players who will play anywhere they’re asked.
“Keeper Darci didn’t put a foot or hand wrong all morning and showed great decision making yet again.
“The whole team got players of the game off me. What a bunch of girls - all individually great but a real team and not a bunch of individuals. The fight and commitment they have as a unit shows what great characters they are.
“Parents’ player of the game was Essi. She is just a cracking player who pulls the strings from deep and has such in game intelligence.
“Kris’ player of the game was Eva. She set the tempo from the middle of the park and got on the scoresheet and had two assists.
“Craig couldn’t split Darci and Maria. The were both exceptional at opposite ends of the pitch. Maria deserved a match ball today the way she took the game to Allstars and Darci got the clean sheet her bravery and application earned.”
Panthers under-10s boys put in a fantastic performance against Oldham Dynamos.
Coach Ste said: “The Panthers dug deep and weathered Oldhams attacks before taking control.
“David made a rings of great saves for the Panthers whilst Rocco and Freddie stood strong winning everything in defence.
“The lads dominated the second half with Hudson and William winning everything in midfield turning defence into attack.
“Ethan’s cross found Hudson in the area whose quick touch found James who slotted home.
“With only a few minutes to go, player of the match Ethan went on a solo run, beat four players and then struck the ball into the bottom corner.”
Cheetahs girls under-13s impressed their coaches by soaking up pressure in their game against Pennington.
Coach Alex said: “It was another incredible performance from the Cheetahs who continue to impress us in how they handle pressure.
“We started on the back foot and our request for the opposition to play 10v10 was met with silence so a quick pre-match talk and the focus was on defending.
“We told the girls not to over-commit, to stay solid and do all the basics really well. We started well and you wouldn’t have known it was 11v10.
“There were excellent performances from everyone and good communication. The girls were covering for each other and generally solid in their attempts to clear the ball at the back - but without panic.
“AJ was outstanding in goal, coming at pace and covering some distance to cut out the attackers when neede and playing some high balls out from the back. She made plenty of saves and was named the opposition's player of the game.
“There was a scrappy goal conceded in a crowded area which was a sucker punch but it was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Sadly we lost Flora before half-time following some lovely wide play which mounted more than handful of attacks on the left side.
“This dropped us to nine players for the rest of the game but the girls did not let this get to them.
“In fact it was a gutsy display with very few mistakes. Again you couldn’t tell we were playing with a two-player deficit.
“We had our chances but it wasn’t to be and the goal we so desperately wanted eluded us in the end. Despite losing 1-0 it absolutely felt like a win.
"Every one of the girls deserve player of the game. It was a solid team performance and it was great to see all the smiles despite the exhausting effort demanded of them.”
Jaguars under-10s boys took on Rochdalians.
Coach Tim said: “It was another tough day for the Jaguars in the last of a very challenging run of fixtures.
“The boys started very well but couldn't create any clear openings. As the first half went on, the Jaguars got deeper and deeper.
“It was a similar pattern in the second half, though Casper lifted spirits with a half volley that hit the top corner.
“The last three matches have pitted the Jaguars against really strong opposition and they've acquitted themselves well and never looked out of their depth. They're enjoying the challenge and I'm confident they will come out of the other side a better team."
Coach Mark said: “This wasn’t just for Prestwich bragging rights this was two teams who are vying for the BBDFL section A title and both came into the game with 100% win records.
“The girls were all up for it from the off and as well as being really good footballers they have an unbelievable work ethic, a great togetherness and team spirit and would literally run through a brick wall for the coaches and each other.
“We were to go 1-0 up within the first 10 minutes with an Erin goal off an Eva assist. Unfortunately Erin wasn’t to last the first half and succumbed to illness but she had done what she does best and got us in the lead.
“This led to a formation change with Maria playing as the number nine and us switching to a back three with Mia joining the rock solid Elsa and Frankie at the back.
“Essi moved from central defensive midfielder to partner Eva in the middle where she really started to pull the strings and show off her footballing intelligence.
"Maria was soon to double the lead off another assist from Eva. Soon after Maria got her second, which she made herself and that big smile lit up St Mary’s Park.
“Her great form continues, her physical strength matches her talent, and it is all even more impressive given she is playing a year up.
“Captain Violette and wing partner Layla’s running for the team is insane, both offering so much in defence as well as attack and are so pivotal in how we set up.
"Maria asked for a break at half time as she had given so much in the first half. The pacey Layla went up top and kept All Stars sitting deep with her threat.
“This gave Mia the chance to show off wing skills and her great feet saw her constantly getting beyond their backline with Jeanette going in to defence where she was to convincingly win her duels.
“Eva was to round off the scoring with a goal her performance merited off an assist from Maria.
“We were so solid at the back with Elsa and Frankie putting in monstrous performances week-in-week-out.
“But, when needed, Mia and Jeanette slot in seamlessly and are prepared to play as either fullback and alternate that with spells on the wing. They are both such team players who will play anywhere they’re asked.
“Keeper Darci didn’t put a foot or hand wrong all morning and showed great decision making yet again.
“The whole team got players of the game off me. What a bunch of girls - all individually great but a real team and not a bunch of individuals. The fight and commitment they have as a unit shows what great characters they are.
“Parents’ player of the game was Essi. She is just a cracking player who pulls the strings from deep and has such in game intelligence.
“Kris’ player of the game was Eva. She set the tempo from the middle of the park and got on the scoresheet and had two assists.
“Craig couldn’t split Darci and Maria. The were both exceptional at opposite ends of the pitch. Maria deserved a match ball today the way she took the game to Allstars and Darci got the clean sheet her bravery and application earned.”
Panthers under-10s boys put in a fantastic performance against Oldham Dynamos.
Coach Ste said: “The Panthers dug deep and weathered Oldhams attacks before taking control.
“David made a rings of great saves for the Panthers whilst Rocco and Freddie stood strong winning everything in defence.
“The lads dominated the second half with Hudson and William winning everything in midfield turning defence into attack.
“Ethan’s cross found Hudson in the area whose quick touch found James who slotted home.
“With only a few minutes to go, player of the match Ethan went on a solo run, beat four players and then struck the ball into the bottom corner.”
Cheetahs girls under-13s impressed their coaches by soaking up pressure in their game against Pennington.
Coach Alex said: “It was another incredible performance from the Cheetahs who continue to impress us in how they handle pressure.
“We started on the back foot and our request for the opposition to play 10v10 was met with silence so a quick pre-match talk and the focus was on defending.
“We told the girls not to over-commit, to stay solid and do all the basics really well. We started well and you wouldn’t have known it was 11v10.
“There were excellent performances from everyone and good communication. The girls were covering for each other and generally solid in their attempts to clear the ball at the back - but without panic.
“AJ was outstanding in goal, coming at pace and covering some distance to cut out the attackers when neede and playing some high balls out from the back. She made plenty of saves and was named the opposition's player of the game.
“There was a scrappy goal conceded in a crowded area which was a sucker punch but it was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Sadly we lost Flora before half-time following some lovely wide play which mounted more than handful of attacks on the left side.
“This dropped us to nine players for the rest of the game but the girls did not let this get to them.
“In fact it was a gutsy display with very few mistakes. Again you couldn’t tell we were playing with a two-player deficit.
“We had our chances but it wasn’t to be and the goal we so desperately wanted eluded us in the end. Despite losing 1-0 it absolutely felt like a win.
"Every one of the girls deserve player of the game. It was a solid team performance and it was great to see all the smiles despite the exhausting effort demanded of them.”
Jaguars under-10s boys took on Rochdalians.
Coach Tim said: “It was another tough day for the Jaguars in the last of a very challenging run of fixtures.
“The boys started very well but couldn't create any clear openings. As the first half went on, the Jaguars got deeper and deeper.
“It was a similar pattern in the second half, though Casper lifted spirits with a half volley that hit the top corner.
“The last three matches have pitted the Jaguars against really strong opposition and they've acquitted themselves well and never looked out of their depth. They're enjoying the challenge and I'm confident they will come out of the other side a better team."
