This week Milan played away, facing M&DH Clapham in their first league game since promotion. During training, the team have been working on passing, movement, communication, and support for their teammates in both attack, and defence.

Q1 and Q2 saw Milan dictating play, passing impressively, switching the play, and working brilliantly as a team. Their determination to win every tackle and put the Clapham defence under pressure was enough to put Milan on top throughout the first two Quarter’s, and unlucky not to find a goal. Livi in goal for Milan did really well, making some great early saves, with one particular effort heading for the top corner only for Livi to stand tall and make an outstanding save!

Milan started Q3 brightly, Harrison won the ball with a brilliant tackle, passed centrally to George, who then switched the play across to Timmy who dribbled up the right side from midfield. Timmy, seeing earlier attempts saved, took this opportunity, hitting an unstoppable shot to the keepers left and into the corner. The parents all cheered and Timmy and his teammate’s all celebrated. Milan keen for more, pushed forward, Maddox made some confident passes from the back and showed great awareness of those around him. He received the ball back from Harrison and spread the ball across to the right side towards Timmy - who was running at speed – ready to take on the defender. Timmy, beating the defender, then made a timely pass across the front of the keeper’s area finding Sepo, who was running into the space, and produced a great touch to guide the ball into the back of the net.

Milan finished Q4 strongly with some great tackles from George, his passing and work rate in the middle of the field broke up play and made sure Clapham continued to get frustrated. Charlie determined to win his tackles in defence took some great corners, finding the danger zones and the Milan Players were unlucky not to see another goal. Alex showed great composure on the ball throughout the match and held the ball up well to make some great passes off to both wings. Alex’s movement off the ball, passing during every attack pushed Milan past Clapham’s defence as the passing was outstanding.

Summarising today; Harrison was outstanding throughout the match driving the ball forward and finding the passes confidently. Timmy scored two well worked goals and showed great understanding on positioning, supporting his teammates in attack and defence and made sure the goalie was tested with all his shots. Sepo demonstrated great skill and superb work rate of the left side of midfield and got his goal with some great positioning. Maddox and Charlie worked well in defence and stopped any attack before Clapham broke through, made some great passes between them and supported their team mate’s throughout the match by breaking up the play and passing through to the attack. George, powerful in the middle of midfield is always in the right place at the right time, was unlucky not to find a goal today, but has great awareness to make his passes and push forward in attack. Alex always on the move and showed a great first touch. His passing and ability to switch play helps the team progress towards goal and he was unlucky to not have a goal awarded that had crossed the line. Livi as always, shows great confidence in goal and made some great saves. Her positioning and presence gives the team confidence in knowing that any player will have a tough team scoring past her. Todays ‘player of the match’ was Harrison, who had a brilliant game and made sure he was at the end of almost everything. His keenness to win tackles, constant running and great attitude sees this award fully deserved. The team talk at the end highlighted the overall outstanding performance, teamwork and great attitude showed by the whole team. Today was the first match after promotion against an established team who performed well in the league last season. Milan stood up to the challenge. One happy team, well done MILAN Jimmy and Simon