By Lozz Rose Lytham St Annes YMCA clinched the Lancs FA Under 16 'Soreen' Youth Cup by beating Wigan based Ashton Athletic 3-1 at the County FA's headquarters in Leyland.
YMCA started brightly and went close to opening the scoring twice in the opening period of the game. A 20yd snapshot from Simon Williams thudded against the base of the post in the 8th min and 2 minutes later a Luke Andrews' header went narrowly wide of the same post. Ashton though began to get into the game with some flowing football and it was they who broke the deadlock in the 20th min with a low and fiercely struck free kick from 25yds but within 5 mins the scores were level again. YMCA's livewire striker Williams chased a lost cause to the corner flag and managed to cross superbly for Luke Andrews to firmly head home.
It remained 1-1 at the break and after the restart it was Ashton who gained the initiative with a wave of attacks but the YMCA rearguard rode the storm comfortably with central defenders Alex Pickering and Ryan Colwell particularly impressive. YMCA then went ahead midway through the 2nd half when a Pickering free kick eluded the Ashton defence and the ball landed to James Butler who hammered it home from 10yds. Ashton then threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser but 5 minutes from time YMCA sealed the issue with a 3rd goal, Matty Hardman heading home at the far post from an excellent Scott Cheyne cross from the left touchline.
This was 3rd time lucky for this YMCA team after being beaten County Cup finalists at Under 12 and 14 and a great achievement for the team and manager Scott Somerside.
