After the opening day of the season was washed out by the rain Signol’s Under 14’s kicked off their league campaign on Saturday against Mossley Juniors Phoenix at Astley College, Dukinfield. From the kick off the intensity of the lads was pleasing to see, always quick to close down their opponents and make themselves available for their team-mates when in possession. From very early on it looked like Mossley were still a side in its early stages of development with players still coming to terms with their positions and Athletic were swift and merciless in their attacking play with new striker Ben, last season’s top scorer Kobe and Player of the Year Tyler all looking dangerous in their opponents half.

It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Dan with an early and well-taken goal to settle those early season nerves but we needn’t have worried as the floodgates opened and the goals came with a startling regularity ! With the opposition struggling to come to terms with Signol’s attacking options and with their heads dropping with every attack Athletic ran out comfortable winners – the final score 16-1 – and amazingly this score could genuinely have been doubled had the chances been taken and the finishing been more clinical on the day. The scorers were Kobe (4), Ben (4), Alex S (2), Dan (2), Nathan, Kieran, McKenzie and an own goal to cap off an excellent start to the new season.

Tougher tasks lie ahead for the lads this season and we can’t get too carried away after one game but I hope that they can fulfil their potential and try and stake a claim for some silverware, as we now have a very talented squad with competition for places in all areas of the pitch so this week has given us a good foundation to build on. There were some fantastic performances in the league opener though, with Sam & Will excellent at the back, Dan superb in the centre of midfield and Kobe and Ben forming a frightening partnership up front, but for an outstanding display on the right side of our attack with his willingness to run himself into the ground and create chances for others Tyler was our man-of-the-match – well done mate !

At the moment we have no arranged fixture for next weekend but this could change so keep an eye out for developments. Training as usual on Pitch 9 at Woodley on Thursday night.

Enjoy your week !

Hi folks,

The new season kicks off this Saturday (9th September) and our first league match of the campaign is against new opposition, Middleton Athletic Boys at Astley College in Dukinfield, KO is at 12.15pm on Pitch 4. We aren’t likely to have our new match kit for this weekend sadly, but it’ll be ready for the match the week after so please ensure that you have last season’s kit ready to wear for one more game ! I think I’ve got a couple of spare shirts for the ‘new signings’ so please can these lads just make sure that they’ve got black shorts and black socks and shin pads of course. We play on grass pitches so with this week’s rain football boots with studs are essential.

We’re meeting at the ground at 11.45am so please be prompt and let me know ASAP if you need any help with transport.

Apologies for the cancellation of training on Thursday night as missing the last three weeks’ sessions before the season kicks off is far from ideal but it can’t be helped I’m afraid, duty calls !

Any problems give me a ring – cheers Ian.