UNDER 11s
FC RANGERS 0 YMCA 6 YMCA opened 2006 with an excellent performance at Boundary Park on Sunday. After some early pressure from the home side Ryan Allan latched onto an Oliver Drury through ball to put the visitors ahead. YMCA’s lead was soon doubled when Alex Evans converted a Harrison Kenworthy corner at the near post. Drury increased YMCA’s lead further with a good finish from a Matthew Ridgway pass. Shortly before the interval Andrew Walkden found the back of the net with a fine strike from the edge of the area. Walkden then doubled his account with an almost identical goal to put the visitors 5-0 up at the break. Following several changes at half time, YMCA continued to control the game with substitute Jack Wood unlucky with a shot that hit the post and another effort just over the bar. Late in the second half, man of the match Evans scored a well deserved second goal to complete a fine YMCA win. UNDER 12s
YMCA 2 BJFF 8 (Hogan Cup 1st round) YMCA were defeated in the first round of the Hogan Cup by league and cup holders BJFF who were in dominant form at Seafield Road last Sunday. Unlike their previous encounter before Christmas YMCA had a full strength squad to choose from but this mattered little as BJFF romped to a confortable win. The visitors were soon in their stride and took a 3-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. YMCA however showed good spirit and scored a well taken goal through Jamie Abbey. YMCA began to come into the game a bit more and played some good attacking football at times but BJFF were always dangerous on the counter attack and twice added to their lead to make it 5-1 at the break. In the second half YMCA did manage to contain BJFF a little more but further goals followed from the visitors. Matthew Nelson netted in the closing stages for YMCA with a fine header from a Matthew Carlisle cross but this was just a mere consolation. Jack Hellon was notable throughout. UNDER 13s
BJFF 0 YMCA 1 (Hogan Cup pre-lim round) YMCA progressed through to the 1st round proper of the Hogan Cup with this hard earned victory at Bispham Gala Field last Sunday. The 1st half was evenly contested but YMCA reached the interval with a
1-0 lead thanks to a close-range strike by Rob Nunnen in the 20th minute. The 2nd half continued in a similar pattern with both defences dominating and allowing very few scoring opportunities from being created and YMCA held on to their slender lead until the end. Joe Kennedy was outstanding throughout with Chris Lambeth and Adam Levine both notable also. UNDER 14s
STAINING 2 YMCA 3 (Hogan Cup 1st round) A very heavy pitch a physically stronger Staining outfit were always going to pose problems for YMCA who were also missing their leading scorer through injury. A hard working team display though enabled them to overcome these difficulties and clinch a place in the next round. YMCA started brightly and took a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes, Paul Gaskell pouncing on to two defensive errors to score twice with great opportunitism. Despite the difficult pitch conditions YMCA still produced some attractive football but 10 minutes before the interval they were caught out on the break and the home side reduced the deficit with a looping shot from 25yds. Almost immediately though YMCA’s 2-goal lead was restored with Chris Barlow firing home to give his team a 3-1 half time lead. YMCA continued to have the edge in the 2nd half but Staining did create several chances. However, YMCA ‘keeper Tom Sharples was in outstanding form and pulled off several great saves. Staining scored again with another long range shot in the last minute but YMCA held on for a deserved victory. Taz Moxon impressed throughout in YMCA’s midfield with James Pollock and Eddie Jackson both notable also. UNDER 15s
YMCA 2 POULTON YOUTH 1 YMCA maintained their title challenge with this narrow and hard fought victory st Seafield Rd last Sunday. They were caught cold though and fell behind inside the 1st minute, Poulton scoring with their first attack of the game. However, YMCA remained composed and reached the interval level at 1-1 after Anthony Stayte had converted a spot kick midway through the half. The game remained a close and entertaining tussle in the 2nd half and 10 minutes after the restart YMCA snatched the lead with a Gary Long strike. The result remained in the balance right up to the end but YMCA managed to hold on to their lead and clinch all three points with an excellent all-round team display. UNDER 17s
SOUTH SHORE 3 YMCA SENIORS 2 A very poor 2nd half display by YMCA at common Edge Rd last Sunday caused them to finish the game pointless. They had the edge in the 1st half and goals by Henry Wright and Adam Parkinson put them into a deserved 2-0 lead but Shore pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 at the break. YMCA just never got going after the restart and Shore fully capitalised by notching two more goals to claim a narrow victory. UNDER 17s
LYTHAM JUN 0 YMCA JUN 8 Lytham ran out of steam after a battling but mainly defensive first half performance. YMCA though had just too much quality, particularly Luke Andrews who never lost a header all afternoon. Ryan Colwell in an unfamiliar centre midfield role won every ball with Craig Davies, also in midfield producing a classy display. Scott Cheyne also impressed and netted twice with Andrews notching an excellent hat trick. Even with Mark Kennedy, Matty Hardman, Joe Leonard all missing YMCA proved too strong for a gutsy Lytham outfit with Johnny Cundliffe outstanding throughout. Strikes by Simon Williams, James Butler and Davies completed YMCA’s scoring UNDER 11 GIRLS
LAMMACK 0 YMCA 1 YMCA started 2006 as they finished 2005 with another win, away to league leaders Lammack. The game saw the comeback after injury of captain Olivia Turnbull, and an inspired start from YMCA saw them take the lead mid way through the first half with a goal from Siobhan Fryer. YMCA continued to dominate the game and Jenny Hodson and Millie Gallagher both went close to increasing the lead. The second half saw Lammack put YMCA under considerable pressure, and YMCA ‘keeper Becky Sullivan was forced into making two excellent saves but as the game progressed YMCA regained control and in the end came out worthy winners. | 
