7-A-SIDE
UNDER 10s:
YMCA A 3 BJFF A 0
YMCA B 2 BJFF B 0 (Coulton Cup semi final) Champions YMCA’s ambitions of a league and cup ‘double’ took a step closer with this comfortable 5-0 aggregate victory in the Coulton Cup semi final at Thornton Cleveleys FC’s ground last Saturday. The A game started evenly with both teams calving out chances but it was YMCA who eventually broke the deadlock, Jamie Manley finishing off a flowing move with a close range strike. BJFF’s earlier threats seemed to diminish after this goal and Calvin Ross capped an impressive performance by rifling a loose ball into the roof of the net from 10yds to make it 2-0 at the break. YMCA continued to dominate in the 2nd half and they added a third goal through Dean Harvey. It was a similar story in the B game with YMCA always in command and BJ rarely posing problems. Following another neat passing move Tyler Douthwaite found the net with the help of a deflection to make it 1-0 at half time. The 2nd half became generally scrappy but YMCA added a 2nd goal when Giles Hellon burst down the left and fired home an unstoppable drive. Daniel Lean impressed with a tireless display in midfield. 11-A-SIDE
UNDER 11s:
YMCA 10 WARTON 1 YMCA attacked vigorously from the start and Warton were unable to contain the home side. Harrison Kenworthy opened the scoring and Andrew Walkden added another 2 goals shortly afterwards, his second following a well crafted move involving Ben Saunders and Alex Evans. Jack Burton made it 4-0 and Alex Evans scored twice to make it 6-0 at half-time. Both Oliver Drury and Harrison Kenworthy had further chances to score early in the second half before Walkden completed his hat-trick with Thomas Broderick and Ryan Allan scoring twice to round off the scoring. The visitors pulled a goal back in the last five minutes of the game through an excellent lob over the YMCA goalkeeper. UNDER 12s:
WYRE JUN 1 YMCA 3 YMCA fully deserved this win against lowly Wyre Juniors on Sunday but had to work hard for victory. In the previous meeting between these two teams YMCA squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 and it seemed the omens could have been against them again in this game. They started the game brightly and took the lead when Matthew Carlisle headed home from a corner. YMCA soon doubled their lead when Joe Virco claimed his second goal of the season as he pushed up in an attack and smartly swiveled to fire a shot home just inside the box. However Wyre came back and reduced the score when indecision in the YMCA penalty area resulted in a Wyre player poking the ball into the net to make it 2-1 at the break. The 3 points were finally secured midway through the 2nd half when David Mitchell pushed up for a corner and he was presented with the easiest of chances on the goal line to make it 3-1. In midfield Jamie Abbey and Jack Hellon were outstanding and the centre back pairing of James Rowbotham and Daniel Farran were commanding throughout. UNDER 13s:
WARTON 0 YMCA 10 YMCA dominated this game from the start against their plucky opponents last Sunday. Oscar Rowley opened the scoring early in the game and goals from Lloyd Patton and Alex Grindrod soon followed It became 5-0 at half time with further strikes by Jay Ferdinand and Josh Walker. It was a similar pattern in the second half with YMCA remaining in total control. Patton notched his 2nd goal of the game with Jonathan Houston weighing in with two goals also. Ferdinand bagged two further goals to complete his hat trick. Adam Levine impressed through for YMCA. UNDER 14s:
BJFF 1 YMCA 2 YMCA’s penultimate game of the season resulted in a hard-earned win with a gutsy display at the Bispham Gala Field last Sunday. They had the stiff breeze at their backs in the 1st half and took the lead in the 10th minute. A through ball from Harry Foley was chased by James Gardiner but the BJ ‘keeper got to the ball first but he couldn’t hold it and Jack Cronin pounced from the edge of the area to clinically fire home. YMCA’s lead was doubled on the half hour mark in fortuitous circumstances when a cross from the right touchline by Foley sent the ball into the far corner of the net aided by the wind to make it 2-0 at the break. Facing the blustery wind in the 2nd half YMCA found themselves under almost constant pressure but their defence displayed superb commitment and battling qualities. The home side pulled a goal back 5 minutes from time from a long-range free kick which took a deflection but YMCA held on for a thoroughly deserved victory. Nathan Armstrong, Eddie Jackson, Jonathan Brown and ‘keeper Tom Sharples all impressed throughout UNDER 15s:
THORNTON 0 YMCA 2 YMCA produced their best display for several weeks which brought them this hard-earned victory at Thornton last Sunday. Gary Long gave them an ideal start by putting them ahead in just the 3rd minute. The first half was very evenly contested but just before the interval YMCA doubled their lead with a superb 20yd volley by Morgan Lewis to make it 2-0 at half time. The 2nd half was just as even as the 1st with playing swinging from end to end. YMCA’s rearguard though always looked a very solid unit denying the home side limited opportunities to get back into the game and the two goals scored in the 1st period proved sufficient to give YMCA their win. This was an excellent all-round YMCA team performance. UNDER 17s:
YMCA JUNIORS 7 BJFF JUNIORS 2 YMCA eventually took all three points comfortably after an evenly contested 1st half. Goals by Simon Williams and Alex Pickering didn’t seem to dishearten the visitors who pulled a goal back then missed a great opportunity to draw level after the award of a spot-kick. YMCA ‘keeper Aiden Smith though pulled off a brilliant one-handed save, pushing the ball on to the crossbar and it remained 2-1 at the break. However, after the restart YMCA began to take control of the game and Mark Kennedy increased their lead with Williams notching his 2nd of the game shortly afterwards. James Butler made it 5-1 and although BJFF pulled another goal back YMCA finished the game well and added another two goals through Mattie Hardman and a 2nd strike by Kennedy. Johnny Cundliffe who was unlucky to see three efforts come back off the woodwork, worked hard up front with Pickering and Ryan Colwell both dominant at the back. UNDER 13 GIRLS:
BARNOLDSWICK 1 YMCA 3 Despite being seriously depleted and only able to field eight players YMCA pulled off a superb victory at Barnoldswick last Sunday. They took the lead with a goal from the outstanding Megan Healey and it became
2-0 at half time when a Sinead Doria strike found the net.. The home side came more into the game in the 2nd half and pulled a goal back as YMCA understandably tired with their three-player disadvantage but thanks to some resolute and committed defending they held on to their slender lead until the end. Molly McGrain and Laura McGinn both impressed in the YMCA rearguard. | 
