Unicorn Tournament - Under 12's

Well done girls, you gave 100% today, and only lost to the eventual finalists City and Rochdale. Rochdale won 2-0 by the way, which surprised me as City had beaten them comfortably in the group stage.

Anyway, enough about them, let's talk about you. There were six teams in the group and you finished 3rd, making it into the semi's. WELL DONE! Considering you finished bottom in the league last season, this was a BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT! So proud of you all, and the support from parents/grandparents etc., was absolutely first class - thanks.

Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of hard work to be done if you are going to start competiting for trophies, but you have improved so much, and the recent addition of Teah and Kay to the team is a most welcome bonus. This was Kay's first experience of playing for Denton Town, and she really ran her socks off, and will cause loads of problems for opposition defences next season. Kelsie was a bit apprehensive at first, especially after being pushed about so much by Hough End last week, but once she won a couple of balls, you could see her confidence grow, and I think she has proven to herself, that she has nothing to fear from opposing players on the field of play.

I could mention every player, but I won't, as it becomes a bit pointless. So I will concentrate on a few at a time, so that over a number of weeks/matches, you will all get a mention. Special praise though to Denika, who was the best Mascot in the entire tournament, and her support for the team was fab. Don't worry Denika, we will get a team started for you, and you will be the first name on the list.

Amy is well on her way to achieving her level 2 certificate, and Steve from Heyside was saying to me today, that she is one of the strongest candidates in the group. As I said before, we need to work on a few things (my own opinion - communication, overlaps, holding/knowing your position, clearing the ball out of defence amongst others), and Amy is keen to build these areas into her level 2 assessment - so please, give Amy your support by doing what she and myself ask, because at the end of the day, it is you that will benefit.

A quick reminder for anyone that still hasn't completed their registration forms. Please get them back to me as soon as possible, especially if you are going away shortly.

See you next Thursday. Nigel.

Ichthus - correction

Sorry, I didn't realise but Ichthus is closed during August, so you will have to find another way to relieve those summer blues.

The club is back open on Friday 7th September, and as I said before, from speaking to other kids round here, it is loads of fun with allsorts of different activities arranged.

Also, because it is on a Friday, it won't interfere with your footie

If you intend going, give Barry a ring on 612 5363 just to make sure the club is open.

Hough End 6 Denton Town 5 (u12's 21/7/07)

Hard luck girls, a terrible deflection off Kelsie in the dying secs decided this one. Not Kelsie's fault, I've seen top premiership players unable to get out of way of them, so chin up, it happens.

Seeing as it was Teah's first game, and we had her sister Denika (only 8 years old) guesting for us, I thought we did really well, and could of won the game. It was clear from kick-off that because of lack of match practice recently, and two girls playing their first ever competitive game, that you weren't firing on all cylinders during the early part of the match.

However, once you got going, and players started to hold their positions, you produced some decent football, which is very encouraging and something for me and Amy to work on.

Some of the Hough End team were very physical, and I know it upset a couple of the players. You will get this in games, and you need to respond by being more physical back - note physical -not dirty. Again, we will work on this in training, perhaps by taking a single player out at a time, and working on a 1v1 situation.

If nothing else, this proves that you can score goals, with Kylie getting 4 and Kelsie the other one. Its a team effort, and as me and Amy keep telling you, you are improving all the time, and Teah's addition to the team is welcome, as she adapted really well during her 1st game for us. I was also pleased to be able to use both Lachen and Hannah in goal, as it is important to have cover for this position in case of injuries, holidays, sickness etc. Emily also worked hard in defence, and Tiarna is going to pose some problems for opposition teams with her long throw-ins. Could do with a couple more players though, so please keep asking around.

All being well, Unicorn Athletic Tournament on Sunday, meeting at about 8:30 at Sainsbury's, Denton. The event takes place at Smiths Fields, Timperley, and will last until early afternoon. Subs will be £4. Anyone need transport, get in touch.

Finally, thanks to Debbie - Emily's mum, for providing the new kits, fleeces and T-shirts - they now look the part.

Summer Hols - Bored?

Do you get bored during the summer hols? If yes, and you live in and around the Haughton Green/Denton/Hyde area, why not check out Ichthus.

Meeting Friday evenings at 7.00pm until 9.00pm, Ichthus Youth Club offers a wide range of activities for 11-16 year olds. Are you between these ages? Do you like sport, craft, tenpin bowling and computer games? Contact us by clicking here now: Barry Ellison Or meet us at St Mary's Church Centre, Meadow Lane, Haughton Green at 7.00pm each Friday. Also visit the website : - http://www.stmaryshg.org.uk/activitiesgroups.htm

I know several young people that attend Ichthus, and they have a really good time. Don't take my word for it, either contact Barry or turn up at the centre on a Friday night, and see for yourself. What's to lose?

Nigel.

Kylie - A true Sportsperson

Kylie McDermott is in the awards again. This time she was voted the Tammy Spragg Good Sports Person Award. The award was named after a 11year old girl that was killed.

Kylie helps Pinfold win Cross Country

Well done to Kylie McDermott and her school Pinfold Primary for winning the Schools Cross Country event this weekend. Kylie came in 5th from 50 and was the FIRST GIRL to cross the finish line.

Player Awards2006/7

Here is a list of all the girls that won special awards for last season: -


Player's Player of the Year
10's Gaby George
11's Lachen Hall
12's Bethany Ford
13's Sally Tattersall

Manager's Player of the Year
10's Sally Stringer
11's Emily Watts
12's Danielle Jones
13's Natalie Williams

Sports' Player of the Year
10's Emily Latham
11's Kylie McDermott
12's Megan Brocklehurst
13's Georgia Curley

Most Imporved Player of the Year
10's Kendal Latham
11's Tiarna Davidson
13's Ruby Sullivan

Most Consistent Player of the Year
12's Rebecca Hopkins

Congratulations to all of you.

Nigel.

Race For Life

More non-footballing stuff - great, keep it coming!

Kylie McDermott (U12's) and her mum Sue are doing the Cancer Research Race for Life on Sunday at Woodbank. They are going as Caribbean girls, complete with grass skirts. Recently, Kylie lost her Aunt Chris to Cancer, so this is a brill way to remember her and also help raise funds; so that people in the future may not have to go through what cancer suffers of today, have to endure.

Good luck to both of you, on what I'm sure will be an emotional and at the same time, fun day out. Hopefully with some Caribbean sunshine as well.

Nigel.

Non-Footballing Awards

From time to time, I like to hear about people within the club that have achieved something outside of football. Today, I want to pour praise on two people, for differing reasons.

Firstly, congratulations to Kayleigh Crompton from the 14's. Kayleigh has recently won two GOLD medals for Raven Judo club (http://www.mcadam76.freeserve.co.uk/), including one at last week's Greater Manchester Youth Games. My brother Hughie, is a coach there, and he has informed me that the club have a great chance of winning the coverted award of Best Club in the County. So well done Kayleigh on a great result.

Secondly, Well done to Clare Stead (Georgia's mum from the 14's), on completing the 10K midnight walk with 1,500 other ladies, in aid of Willow Wood Hospice (http://www.willowwood.info/index.html). My mum currently resides there, and I can tell you, the care is 1st class, all the rooms are really clean, the staff are friendly and helpful and the hospice is set in nice surroundings, just near to Stamford Park in Ashton. However, the hospice is a registered charity, and they rely heavily on donations and fundraising activities, to help pay for the £1.4m running costs. I would like to say a big thanks to Clare and all the other ladies for raising £1,000's to help fund this marvelous facility.

Anyone else done something special? let me know, and I'll post it on the blogger for you - Have pride in your achievements, and share them with others.

Nigel.