Moss Bank Emeralds 11 vs 2 Cherrybrook Violets

On 27 September 2026, Cherrybrook Violets faced Moss Bank Emeralds in a 5-a-side league match at The Pavillion, kicking off promptly at 9:30am. The contest lasted 40 minutes plus injury time and ended in a resounding 11-2 victory for the home side, Moss Bank Emeralds.

Cherrybrook Violets lined up in a 1-2-1 formation, featuring Mollie Mack in goal, supported by Aria Hunter as the central defender. The midfield duo consisted of Zoey Anderson and Betty Gill, both deployed centrally to control the middle of the park. Up front, Riley Melling took the lone striker role, tasked with leading the attack. This setup was designed to provide defensive solidity through Hunter and midfield control with Anderson and Gill, while relying on Melling to convert chances. The substitutes bench included Olivia Aspey, Ellie Read, Lilliya Hamill, and Edie Halliwell, ready to offer fresh legs and tactical adjustments.

The match began with Betty Gill testing the opposition goalkeeper with an early attempt in the first minute, which was saved. Almost immediately, a substitution saw Olivia Aspey replace Aria Hunter in the second minute due to Hunter not wearing any shinpads. However, the early defensive reshuffle did not prevent Moss Bank Emeralds from capitalising on a defensive mistake to open the scoring at the same time.

Betty Gill showed resilience with a crucial tackle in the second minute to stem the Emeralds’ momentum. Riley Melling then suffered a misplaced pass in the third minute, though it did not lead to a goal. Mollie Mack was kept busy early on, producing a full stretch save in the third minute and a dive at the feet of an attacker in the fourth. She also cleared a dangerous chance moments later, preventing further damage.

Despite these efforts, Moss Bank Emeralds extended their lead in the fourth minute with a close-range goalmouth scramble. Mack remained alert, parrying a shot in the fifth minute and catching another in the sixth. Betty Gill’s persistence was evident again in the seventh minute when her attempt was blocked.

The Emeralds struck again in the eighth minute with a long-range strike, leaving Cherrybrook’s defence on the back foot. Betty Gill continued to defend stoutly, making a tackle in the ninth minute, while Riley Melling cleared another danger. Zoey Anderson’s attempt went wide in the same minute.

The second substitution phase began in the tenth minute with Aria Hunter returning to the field, replacing Olivia Aspey. Simultaneously, Edie Halliwell came on for Zoey Anderson, Ellie Read replaced Riley Melling, and Lilliya Hamill entered for Betty Gill. Mollie Mack’s goalkeeping heroics continued with a full stretch save at this point.

Moss Bank Emeralds scored again in the eleventh minute from another goalmouth scramble. Aria Hunter responded with a clearance to keep the scoreline from worsening immediately. The Emeralds were relentless, adding another goal in the thirteenth minute. Mollie Mack was forced into a parry in the fourteenth minute and a dive at the feet in the fifteenth.

Edie Halliwell made a vital block in the sixteenth minute, but the visitors scored from outside the area in the seventeenth. An own goal from Hamill followed in the eighteenth minute compounding Cherrybrook’s woes. Mollie Mack intercepted a dangerous ball soon after, with Aria Hunter also making interceptions and clearances to stem the tide.

Mack’s parry in the nineteenth minute and catch in the twentieth were crucial, yet Moss Bank Emeralds scored twice more in quick succession, including another own goal assisted inadvertently by Betty Gill. Mack’s reflexes were tested again with a dive at the feet in the twentieth minute.

Half-time arrived with the score heavily in favour of Moss Bank Emeralds. The second half saw a flurry of substitutions as Zoey Anderson, Betty Gill, Riley Melling, and Olivia Aspey returned to the pitch, replacing Lilliya Hamill, Aria Hunter, Edie Halliwell, and Ellie Read respectively.

Zoey Anderson pulled a goal back for Cherrybrook in the twenty-second minute, assisted by Mollie Mack with a quick punt, providing a rare moment of joy. Mack continued to keep the team in the contest with a full stretch save in the twenty-fourth minute. Riley Melling and Betty Gill both contributed defensively with a block and a tackle respectively.

Anderson struck again in the twenty-seventh minute, but Moss Bank Emeralds responded with another goal three minutes later. Mack’s goalkeeping remained impressive with full stretch saves and parries in the late twenties.

The thirtieth minute saw Riley Melling make a vital tackle, but the visitors scored once more. Substitutions continued at the thirty-first minute, with Edie Halliwell, Lilliya Hamill, Ellie Read, and Aria Hunter entering the fray, replacing Olivia Aspey, Riley Melling, Zoey Anderson, and Betty Gill.

Defensive efforts from Lilliya Hamill and Edie Halliwell included crucial tackles and clearances in the early thirties. Mollie Mack maintained her composure with catches and parries, while Lilliya Hamill’s attempt was saved in the thirty-fourth minute. Ellie Read also blocked a shot and made a defensive block shortly after.

Aria Hunter was instrumental in clearing danger twice in the mid to late thirties. Moss Bank Emeralds added a long-range strike goal in the thirty-eighth minute, despite interceptions and tackles from Hamill and Hunter. Mack’s agility was on show again with a dive at the feet in the thirty-ninth minute, followed by Hunter’s clearance.

The match concluded with Moss Bank Emeralds firmly in control, running out 11-2 winners. Despite the heavy defeat, Cherrybrook Violets saw notable performances from Zoey Anderson, Betty Gill, and Lilliya Hamill, who were recognised as players of the match for their determination and contributions throughout the contest. Manager Becky Gill commented at the final whistle that all she asks for is 100% effort from the girls and that their aim for the season is to bridge the gap between themselves and Moss Bank Emeralds and to win them.