Saturday saw the first home game of the new season for the U14s, and it came with a full squad and a new face on the touchline – New Coach Ben taking his place for his first match and picking a good one to start with.
Charnock played downfield in the first half, looking to use the sloping pitch and wind to their advantage. Hallam kicked off and soon had the game’s first shot, though Keeper Chloe gathered it up with no fuss. Amaya was straight into things as usual and it wasn’t long before some good link up play saw Summer send a straight ball through the middle to Estelle, who shot low past the Keeper to give Charnock an early lead.

Both teams settled after that and the game opened up. Rose causing problems down the left and Raegan pulling the strings in midfield, linking up nicely with Amaya, Summer, and Maisie. At the back, Eva did whatever it took, including clearing the ball with her backside, while Evie made clearance after clearance and even popped up deep in Hallam's half pressing forwards. Estelle looked sharp trying for another, before the Hallam number 10 showed neat footwork to escape a crowd of Charnock tackles, and a decent chance for the visitors.

After a brief pause in play so the ref could tie shoelaces, Rose fired a long shot just wide and Amaya then headed clear at the other end before her stray hand gave away a free kick leading to a good chance for Hallam's number 19.
Amelia and Nevaeh helped Charnock with some good play and Summer once again played Estelle clear – she sped forward, placed it low past the Keeper, and made it 2-0.
Amaya, wearing her heart on her sleeve as always, then picked up a caution whilst taking herself off field. Rose went close with another shot, and Summer produced a brilliant throw to give Nevaeh a good chance whilst a smiling Estelle tormented the parents by sending wayward clearances down the hill for them chase.
New signing Millie played really well in her first home game making some excellent clearances and clearly growing in confidence. And Raegan too was confidently dictating play in midfield, working well with Keavey. Hallam were not going to be beaten easily though and number 19 broke free for a good chance, but Georgie was there to clear.
Nevaeh won a corner which Rose took and Summer almost connected for a third. At the back, Georgie and the Charnock defence held firm as Hallam pressed, and Chloe made a smart save, kicking long and high to Nevaeh who bludgeoned her way through the Hallam defence as half time arrived.

The second half saw Charnock play up field, with Nevaeh restarting. Hallam had the better of the early exchanges, but Evie, Amaya and the Charnock defence dug in against a strong wind and the tough slope. Grace began to boss the middle as Hallam tired with only eleven players to call on, but they still looked dangerous going forwards and Eva had to throw in a last ditch slide tackle to snuff out Hallam's best chance. Chloe pulled off a smart save from the resulting corner before shipping the ball out long to Amelia.
Georgie looked strong in defence, putting in tackle after tackle and trying a long shot that was just wide. Grace had a good shot too, winning a corner, Maisie taking it well and causing chaos in Hallam’s 6 yard box. With the ever vocal Chloe organising her teammates loudly from the back, Georgie and Hallam’s number 4 battled hard, helped out by Amelia to clear the ball to safety. Keavey was a constant in midfield, helping to win another corner, and Maisie's delivery had Nevaeh, Grace and Summer all sniffing for a third before Hallam cleared their lines.
Georgie went close with a long shot, Summer set up a good chance for Nevaeh, and there were numerous Charnock shouts for handball and fouls that went unanswered. A smiling Chloe then managed to fall over the back of her net on her way back from retrieving a wayward ball, much to everyone’s amusement.
Charnock pushed hard for a third late on, with Raegan, Nevaeh, Rose, Grace, Summer and Amaya all in the mix, before Summer forced a fine save from the keeper. James made a few late changes, sending Rose up front alongside Estelle, and appeals for handballs kept coming right to the whistle.
Final score: 2-0 to Charnock. Raegan took the parents' player of the match, and Estelle picked up girl of the game after her double. Parent Faye correctly predicted the final score and wins a Charnock balaclava.

Coach Ben praised the girls’ performance, particularly how the team's training work showed up on the pitch - sharper passing, better communication, and digging in when needed. He praised Chloe for her composure playing out from the back, judging when to go short and when to go long, calling it the kind of confident, football first approach the team is aiming for.
He also praised the girls' attitude - listening, taking on feedback, and continuing to improve.
Manager James echoed Coach Ben's thoughts, praising the girls performance from start to finish. Despite sometimes doubting how much sinks in during training, he felt the girls proved otherwise today leading to two well-worked through balls and two goals. Defensively, he felt the team stayed switched on throughout the game and highlighted some of the quieter players who stepped up and made a real impact today.

With no game next week, the team are in a good position to carry the momentum into the next fixture away at Dronfield. Up the Charnock.