UNDER 9s: FOXHALL A 3 YMCA A 3 FOXHALL B 1 YMCA B 3YMCA came away from Fishers Field last Saturday with four hard-earned points. In a thrilling A game they reached half time 1-0 ahead thanks to Jordan M goal which took a fortunate deflection on its way into the net.
Soon after the restart Kit G doubled YMCA’s lead but Foxhall responded superbly with three quick-fire goals to take a 3-2 lead. However, a superb 20yd strike by Jacob H earned YMCA a well-deserved equaliser. In the B game YMCA always had the edge and it was no surprise when Kai L put them ahead. Further goals followed from Rhys M and Josh C with Foxhall grabbing a late consolation. UNDER 10s:YMCA A 1 FOXHALL A 1 YMCA B 6 FOXHALL B 1YMCA started brightly at Seafield Rd dominating the possession in the A game. The breakthrough came when a corner fell to Carl K who fired home from the edge of the box.
More chances were created but were thwarted by the Foxhall keeper who was in top form and the next goal came from the visitors against the run of play. The second half continued with YMCA playing some neat football but they couldn't find a winner, Carl K denied superbly on 3 occasions, James R also going close. Matthew S was outstanding. In the B game, YMCA again took the game to Foxhall from the first whistle and could have found themselves ahead at half time with Jack C, Bradley G and Shane D all coming close. The second half saw more action and chances but it was Foxhall who took the lead after a neat move. However Jack, who worked hard throughout, was rewarded when he bagged the equaliser straight from the restart then Shane, who was always menacing down the right, then got on the score sheet with a fine solo effort. Bradley showed his class to score two superbly taken goals with Jack C also claiming his 2nd of the game. Josh C completed the scoring in this excellent display by YMCA for whom Jordan M and Oscar T both produced solid displays. UNDER 11s:CLIFTON RAN 1 YMCA 7Champions YMCA kicked off their new season in excellent style with this convincing win at Mereside last Sunday. An early strike by summer-signing Kieran S set them on their way with Jamie M soon adding a 2nd. A superb 20yd free kick by Tyler D increased the visitors lead before a 2nd goal by Keiran made it 4-0 at half time. YMCA continued to have the upper hand after the re-start and the impressive Daniel L made it 5-0 with Keiran then adding another to complete a fine opportunist hat trick. Rangers reduced the score in the closing stages only for Lean to grab his second of the game to round off this convincing YMCA victory. Linus W and Calvin R were both notable. UNDER 12s:YMCA 1 LYTHAM JUN 5Local rivals Lytham took all 3 points in this opening game of the new season at Seafield Road on Sunday. YMCA were a goal down in the second minute and were soon 2-0 in deficit from a long range speculative effort. Lack of concentration in the home side defence allowed Lytham to take an unassailable three-goal lead at half time. YMCA could not take advantage of a penalty awarded for handball on the line when Ryan A shot wide. Down to 10 men following the penalty, Lytham stretched their lead further with a well-taken header. Ryan notched a deserved consolation goal following an Oliver D’s shot which was parried by the Lytham 'keeper before a late Lytham strike completed a disappointing display by the home side. Liam R worked tirelessly in the YMCA midfield. UNDER 13s:SPIRIT OF YOUTH 1 YMCA 1Both teams had to settle for a point apiece in this opening game of the season at Common Edge Rd last Sunday. It was an even contest throughout the first half and the YMCA rearguard battled well to keep the scoreline to 0-0 at half time.
After the restart Spirit began to control the game and it was no surprise when they eventually broke the deadlock following a spell of good pressure. However, in the latter stages of the game YMCA began to respond positively and levelled the scores when new signing Mattie K scored a well taken goal. YMCA had chances to take all 3 points in the closing minutes but in the end a draw was a fair result. Saul T impressed on the left for YMCA. UNDER 14s:The visitors got off to a flying start in this local derby at Seafield Rd last Sunday by taking the lead inside the opening 2 minutes. YMCA responded well though and went close to scoring on a number of occasions before eventually equalising rather fortuitously when the ball from a Harry H corner kick eluded everybody and went in at the far post to make it 1-1 at the break. Lytham started the 2nd half as they started the first by scoring within 2 minutes of the restart, capitalising well after a YMCA defender had given away possession in his own half. Neither side created many clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half and in the end, Lytham went home with all three points which they probably just deserved. Sam S, Oscar R and Alex G all worked hard for YMCA. UNDER 15s:WYRE JUNIORS 3 YMCA 1YMCA were without three players for this tough encounter at Thornton last Sunday and generally struggled to match a physically stronger Wyre outfit. The first half was closely contested though and it remained goalless at the break. YMCA started the second half brightly and eventually broke the deadlock by taking the lead through a Mark C strike. Shortly after though Wyre leveled from a hotly disputed penalty kick when Nathan Armstrong won an excellent tackle only for the referee to adjudge he had committed a foul. This decision seemed to knock the heart out of YMCA and poor marking led to the home side scoring twice more to clinch victory. James Pollock impressed throughout in the YMCA rearguard. UNDER 16s:Lancs FA Cup 1st Round: PENWORTHAM TOWN 0 YMCA 1This was a tough opening round against a very good Penwortham outfit who have started well in the Central Lancs League. YMCA struggled to get their passing game going in the opening 20 mins but eventually found their rhythm. They carved out a number of first half chances but found the Penwortham keeper in top form and it remained goalless at the break. 10 mins into the second half though the excellent Sam Turnock burst clear of the defence and squared the ball for Morgan L who coolly slotted home. Penwortham threw everything at the YMCA defence who held firm resolute until the end . YMCA's defence of Matty R, Jack M and Dalton S were excellent throughout, as were midfielders Jamie G & Adam W. UNDER 12s GIRLS: YMCA 3 BROMLEY CROSS 2 YMCA maintained their 100% record with a hard fought victory against Bromley Cross. Bromley went ahead in the 3rd minute when the YMCA defence was out paced and Bromley Cross' striker rounded the YMCA keeper to score. YMCA equalised five minutes before half time with an excellent Millie G goal, and within two minutes good work by Evie M was neatly finished by Rebecca G. At the start of the second half YMCA were caught napping allowing Bromley to equalise. The game flowed end to end, but following a period of YMCA pressure a lose ball in the area was fired home by Millie G to give YMCA a 3-2 lead. YMCA closed the game down as they held on for a hard fought victory. | 
