Curzon Ashton Tournament 30th Dec - 14's girls

Oh well, not at our best were we! Never mind, it was a run out and we all enjoyed having Lauren from Texas in the team. She's quick isn't she, and it was great having Lauren and Craig around for a few days.

Let's hope when she visits us again in the summer, we can show Lauren, Craig and all the girls from Fort Worth United just what we're capable of.

Happy New Year to everyone at Denton Town and season's greeting to our new friends in the States.

Nigel.

Aladdin

The players from the Girls Soccer School had a great time last night, watching Aladdin at the Tameside Hippodrome in Ashton-under-Lyne.


With Cleveland Campbell (Emmerdale) as the Genie of the Lamp, Colin Wells (Holyoaks) as the evil Abanaza, comic Janice Connolly as the Slave of the Ring, and last but not least Lee Brennan (911 the band), as the dashing young Aladdin, we knew we were in for a fab night.



Thanks to Rona from the 11's for getting the tickets reserved for us, and thanks also to Chloe, Nicole and Georgia for helping me to supervise the 'little uns' on a most enjoyable night.

Back row: - Georgia, Nicole & Chloe
Middle row: - Shelby, Holly, Rebecca, Deana, Abbie & Bayleigh
Front row: Jade & Josie.

Behind the Lens: Me, camera shy. You have to work hard to get me on the other side of the camera lol.

Nigel.

Denton Town 0 Uppermill 3 (u12's)

Girls, Girls, Girls, what happened? Today, you SHOULD of Won, you COULD of Won, but you DIDN'T. First half, not bad, fairly even, 0-0 just about right.

Second half, and you lost your shape, didn't communicate, with again players tackling or getting in the way of each other, not holding positions, defenders drifting too far forward, and several times it was 3 of their forwards against one defender. You really must start listening to our instructions, and playing as a team, because, as I have said before, there are NO teams in this league you need to be frightened of.

There are some promising points from the game, notably, Hannah was fantastic and very brave in goals, Georgia played some decent balls, and some cheeky flicks and nifty turns, and Lauren got player of the match on her debut. Recently, individually, there have been some very good performances, whats letting you down, is your team work. Play as individuals, and you'll get beat week in week out, play as a team, and you still have a great chance of finishing in a good position this season.

Whats frustrating for me and Amy is, when we ask one of you to play in a certain position (even though you may not like it), you then decide to forget what we've asked of you, and you end up playing where you want to, and not where the team needs you to play, confusing everyone on the pitch. If we give you a position, stick to it to the best of your ability.

Don't know if we've got a game next week, but I'll let Amy know. On Thursday, I'm at the pantomime with the under 8's girls, so please give your subs to her. Enjoy you chocs, but don't eat too many.

Just for the record, their best player was no. 5 and the ref deserved 7/10.

NIGEL.

p.s. Teah got me to do something no else ever has, and that was to sing out loud in the car. She had me singing 'Lollipop' by Mika - so embarrassing.
So Teah, my turn for a bit of revenge.
If you haven't already seen it, click on

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gLvEDZyMNnM

and take a look at Teah singing her head off - well funny. X factor or what?

Denton Town 0 Curzon Ashton 4 (u12's CUP)

Game of two halves. First half awful. No communication, poor positional discipline, not getting back, diving in, hard to see what you did right in the 1st half. Concentration seriously lets you down as well. Several times some of you didn't know if it was a corner/goal kick, or throw-in for us or for them.

Second half, 4-nil down, obviously it was a massive task to get back on level terms, but you played so much better, and really started to take on board what me, Amy and Pete we saying.

We were the better side in the 2nd half, some good passing going forward, and once Kendall went in nets, I don't think she touched the ball. So my question is, "Why does it take you 1/2 a match to switch on"? You must know you can do it if you pull together and put your minds to it.

Quite honestly, I've seen every team in the league play now, and I don't see any reason at all why we can't give EVERY team a good game.

You've got it, and once you realise that and start to believe in yourselves as individuals and as a team, you will start to win matches.

Our player of the match was Kay, for them No.8. I gave the ref 8/10.

See you Thursday.

NIGEL.

Urmston Meadowside 7 Denton Town 3 (u14's)

Well girls, its been a long time since you last got beat, and it hurts doesn't it. I think their player of the match (No.3 Charlotte), did the damage last time we got beat, when we played against her previous club Flixton.

Can't say much myself about the game as I only arrived just before half time, but what I can say is, that we are missing Chloe B's strength in the middle of the park. For those of you that weren't there, Yoyo put us 1-0 up, they equalised, then Yoyo again, equaliser again from them within seconds, leaving it 2-2 at half time.

Second half, and they take the lead, only for us to get it back to 3-3 thanks to Sophie (who incidently has come on a treat over the last few games). Once Urmston got back in front at 4-3, I thought to myself, the next goal is crucial, and whoever scores it would probably win the game. Unfortunately, Urmston's Chloe scored from the spot, in what was a dubious penalty decision. Sure, the Urmston player was obstructed, but that merits an indirect free-kick, not direct, which is what a penalty is. Some heads went down which is disappointing to see, but you're still a fantastic side, still capable of winning the league, and both cups if you want, but some hard work ahead if you're to achieve that. Poynton next week at home, which will be tough, but they will be as nervous as you, so go for it, and get back on track with a vital victory.

Chloe W was our player of the match, and the ref - 7/10. I think he was as fair as possible, but the penalty was a mistake. Not making excuses by the way, Urmston deserved to win, but certainly not by four, which their manager was quick to point out to me in the car park after the game. Decent crew at Urmston who I really get on well with.

NIGEL.