Strong performance vs B&E in first Cup match

Last time Mellor played B&E it was a close affair, with Mellor winning by a single goal, although B&E had benefited from overage players. Being a cup game, this time round they started with only U12s, with an agreement to bring in older players, thereby effectively conceding the game, if Mellor raced ahead by half time.

Mellor had a strong squad with 16 players, and we started the game well. Miles dominant on face off, Charlie controlling midfield and Ollie clearing up at the back. Charlie fed Seb O for the first goal, then another assist for Miles, then Charlie scoring himself to make it 3 - 0 within minutes. B&E got one back through their impressive #41, and then Leo scored to make it 4 - 1 after Q1.

Q2 was similar to the first quarter. Miles to Dyl to score, then Dyl again for his second. Charlie got another two and Mellor were building a substantial lead, and with B&E starved of position given Mellor’s dominance at face offs - with Seb B and Miles winning virtually everyone - B&E were given free clears. The Mellor defence held firm however and it was 8 - 1 at half time.

Given our lead it was agreed at half time that B&E could field their older players to benefit all and make the game more competitive. However, even facing free clears and older players Mellor continued to dominate the game, with further goals from Seb O, Josh and Charlie, before Henry scored goal of the match following a strong winding run out of defence with the clock ticking down, all the way from one end of the pitch to the other to score! 12 - 1 after three quarters.

Into the last quarter with B&E now fielding 4 overage players and free clears the game was much more even, ending up 3 all with Mellor goals from Charlie (2) and Sammy, who had been threatening to get on the scoresheet all game. Boardman also got three, with their #32 getting two of them. So 15 - 4 to Mellor at full time.

In summary a good start to the cup competition with a strong performance by Mellor and a convincing win. Good to see B&E building their juniors, hopefully next year they’ll have a few more and be less reliant on dispensations to make up a full squad.