Brilliant team effort by Mellor U11 Girls v Liverpool

Playing against a new and less experienced team, Liverpool, it was agreed that they could play older girls – and a couple of boys to make up the numbers. This meant a last minute change to Mellor’s team saw Tom Brady promoted from the boys U12’s to U11’s keeper for the match. Despite giving away a least a foot in height (if not 2 in some cases) Mellor started off with no fear and immediately took the initiative with some great passing and running play leading to goals from Amelie and Eve to put Mellor 2-0 up. Liverpool then responded with 2 quick goals of their own to draw level. The girls kept looking to pass the ball and were very competitive in the breakdown and kept putting pressure on the Liverpool midfield, they were rewarded with 2 goals from Olivia and Amelie to lead the quarter 4-2. As the second quarter began Liverpool stepped up a gear and Tom was having to produce some fine stops. Leia produced a fine shot on goal and she was unlucky for it not to go in the net.The game was now end to end and Mellor scored further goals first from Millie and then Amelie to lead 6-3. Liverpool then got back into the game, Mellor a bit unsure whether the offside rule was being enforced or not, left the Liverpool team to run forward and unmarked they were able to find the net for 3 quick fire goals to leave the match evenly balanced at 6-6 at half time.

The third quarter saw some fabulous entertainment and great play from the girls who were playing with confidence and as a team with each girl looking to pass to a team mate to score rather than through individual running. Olivia edged Mellor back into the lead and then Tom, after an accurate save, thought it was Saturday again and ran down the wing (chased by their boy attacker) and passed to Eve who scored to make it 8-6 to Mellor. Jasmine and Katy did a brilliant job in defence, holding their targets at bay , despite being half the size of them! Liverpool’s keeper then also started to show his skills and was also running up the pitch trying to score, while he wasn’t the scorer, Liverpool did manage to draw level at 8-8 with 2 more goals before another Eve goal finished the quarter 9-8 to Mellor.

As we entered the last quarter, the game was finely balanced and Liverpool started the stronger with 2 quick goals to lead 10-9. Tom was looking to even up by running from goal to goal but pulled his shot wide with his goalie stick (don’t give up the day job – Tom). As time ticked away the small but passionate crowd were getting more animated in their support for the girls and Mellor looked to have salvaged a draw when Alice scored a great goal to make it 10-10. Superb coaching from Emily B meant that the girls never gave up their fighting spirit. However, as we entered the final couple of minutes Liverpool scored again and, despite a last minute Mellor effort on target, the score ended Mellor 10 - Liverpool 11.

It was a brilliant team effort by all of the girls, exciting and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. This game, against older opponent,s will serve these Mellor girls well for their future matches. Thanks go to Emily as coach and Jenny as match referee and to the parents and friends who gave this young team their full (and vocal!) support.