A bleary eyed trip to Hazel Grove saw Marple Athletic Under 11s turn in their usual game of two halves to win 7-1.

With half the team having only just returned from a fun packed school camp, there were tired eyes and croaky voices. It showed in the first half performance with lots of kick and hope and half hearted tackling. But for a Toby Sinclair header from a Harry Turner corner after just three minutes it may have been a very different game as Apollo weren't short of effort or ideas and the 2-1 lead for Marple flattered the visitors.

The second half was a much better performance (it must have been another Churchillian speech from caretaker manager Clive Breed), but the finishing was sharper and the boys remembered to pass rather than hoof. Goals from Ryan Knott 2, Harry Turner 2, Toby Sinclair 2 & Bryn Shipperley 1 sealed the win.