UNDER 9s:LYTHAM JUN A 1 YMCA A 2LYTHAM JUN B 0 YMCA B 1YMCA leap-frogged over neighbours Lytham Juniors into top-spot in the table after this excellent 6-point haul at Lytham last Saturday. In the A game YMCA had the edge in the first half and led 1-0 at half time thanks to a superb long-range effort by James H. Lytham though battled hard after the restart and notched a deserved equaliser but YMCA regained the lead with another spectacular long-range strike, this time from Owen F which proved enough to give YMCA the 3 points from this game. The B contest was another hard fought and close tussle and neither side managed to break the deadlock in a goalless first half. However, YMCA grabbed the other 3 points with a well taken goal from their youngest player Jordan K. Tommy H and Rhys M were both outstanding for YMCA. UNDER 10s:YMCA A 1 LYTHAM JUN A 0YMCA B 1 LYTHAM JUN B 2YMCA started the A games brightly but struggled to break down Lytham’s tough defence. They did come close in the first half through Carl K, Bradley G and Jack C but it remained goalless at the break. After the restart though and with the stiff breeze behind YMCA got on top with Conah B causing the visitors many problems with his pace directness down the right. The breakthrough eventually came when a Bishop corner fell to James R who made no mistake. When Lytham did press their attacks were broken down by the hard working midfield or defensive pair of James and Oscar T who were outstanding throughout. The B game was an evenly matched contest in and the first half saw few chances with the best of them falling to the visitors but keeper YMCA ‘keeper Alex M pulled off a top class save to keep his team level. The second half saw both teams creating chances but it was the visitors took the lead when an unmarked striker slotted the ball home. Five minutes later some hard work by the impressive Dylan S forced a corner which Jordan W crossed and the ball deflected in from a Lytham defender to make it 1-1. Within two minutes the visitors regained the lead when a harmless looking shot somehow made its way through a crowded area and into the net. Cameron S and Matt S both shone for YMCA. 11-A-SIDEUNDER 11s:YMCA 5 SPIRIT OF YOUTH 0YMCA comfortably maintained their 100% record with this victory over one of their title challengers at a sunny Seafield Rd last Sunday. They got off to an ideal start when striker Keiran S pounced on to a defensive error in the 1st minute to put them ahead. Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Keiran was brought down in the area and he converted the resulting spot kick. YMCA remained in control and the impressive Andy C increased YMCA’s lead further with a well taken goal to make it 3-0 at half time. Although the visitors came more into the game after the break YMCA still had the upper hand and the outstanding Keiran netted twice more to bring his match-tally to four to complete a fine YMCA team display. Calvin R and Dan L were both dominant throughout in YMCA’s midfield. UNDER 12s:CLIFTON RANGERS 1 YMCA 6 This was another good team performance by YMCA who led from early on when Harrison K followed up Andrew W’s effort that had hit the post and fired home the rebound. Andrew W then turned scorer with a fine header from an Oliver D corner and although the home side were briefly in the game through an unfortunate own goal Ryan A converted a Andrew W through ball to restore YMCA’s 2-goal lead. Oliver D then netted with an excellent free kick before Fraser M made it 5-1 at half time after being set up by Ben S. The second half was more balanced with Rangers much more in the game but YMCA coped comfortable and managed to add a 6th goal with a late strike by Jack W. UNDER 13s:YMCA 3 SPIRIT OF YOUTH 1 YMCA recovered from conceding a goal in the first 60 seconds of this game at Seafield Rd last Sunday to run out worthy winners in the end. A misunderstanding in their defence gifted the visitors this early goal but YMCA recovered well to create a number of chances before eventually grabbing the lead with two goals inside 2 minutes midway through the half. The hard working Dan F headed home an equaliser from an excellent Jamie A free kick and Saul T put them ahead with an exquisite side-foot lob from 25yds. YMCA took this 2-1 lead into half time and continued to have the upper hand in the 2nd half. With 15 minutes remaining they added a third goal when Matthew N finished off an excellent move by superbly firing home from 15yds. Spirit were given hope of retrieving the game with a the award of a penalty in the closing minutes but the spot kick was blasted over the bar. James R and Dave M both shone in the YMCA defence and up front Mattie K was always lively. UNDER 14s: PENWORTHAM ST THERESA’S 1 YMCA 3 Lancs FA Cup 2nd Round YMCA continued their unbeaten run with a hard-working performance in this second round County Cup match. The first half was goalless despite chances at both ends but shortly after the restart Kyle T opened the scoring for YMCA when the Penwortham goalkeeper missed his kick and allowed the ball to run under his foot. Alex G, who battled bravely throughout, added a second after an intelligent throw in from Tom M before the home team reduced the arrears with a snap shot. Jason W restored YMCA’s two goal advantage near the end with a classy strike into the top corner. Sam S starred in defence, goalkeeper Jack C handled confidently throughout and there was a welcome back after injury for Jonathon H. UNDER 15s:POULTON YOUTH 6 YMCA 2 With YMCA suffering from a long-term injury to their regular ‘keeper, outfield players are currently fulfilling this role until a replacement is found which is hardly ideal for this specialised position. They had a different ‘keeper for each half for this encounter at Cottam Hall last Sunday in a match in which they were well beaten in the end. The home side led 2-0 but right on half time YMCA pulled goal back from the penalty spot, Taz M converting. After the restart, Poulton regained the initiative and three further goals put them 5-1 ahead. The outstanding Taz M scored another goal back for YMCA before the home side added a 6th goal before the end. Harry F and Nathan A were both notable for YMCA. UNDER 17s:YMCA JUNIORS 3 KIRKHAM 3YMCA started the game in determined mood which was rewarded in the 11th minute when the excellent Dan M put them in front with a 20 yard screamer. They continued to dominate the game and to control possession but it remained 1-0 at the break. Kirkham's more direct approach paid dividends 5 minutes after the restart but within 10 minutes YMCA regained the lead. Good work by Jordan D led to a cross from Jake D, and a fine finish from an impressive Matty R. With 9 minutes remaining Kirkham surprisingly equalised, and then forced what looked like the winner with only 4 minutes remaining. However, YMCA had other ideas and Matty R scored his second of the match with another good finish to give them a share of the points although they were disappointed not to secure all three. UNDER 17s:LYTHAM SENIORS 0 YMCA SEN 1This was a typically hard fought local derby at the Lytham Academy last Sunday in which YMCA eventually emerged winners. They had the best of the chances in the 1st half but couldn't convert them and it was still goalless at half time.
After the restart YMCA continued to just have the edge and they finally penetrated the stubborn Lytham rearguard midway through the half with a great opportunist strike from Rick S. This goal proved enough to secure victory for YMCA form whom Mark K and Tony W both impressed throughout. UNDER 12 GIRLS: AGSA 0 YMCA 7YMCA completed their sixth straight victory with an excellent performance away at AGSA. Evie M opened the scoring firing into the net from close range, before a long-range effort from Ruby L made it 2-0.
YMCA made it 3-0 before half time when Girl of the Match - Siobhan F - cut in from the left hand side to fire home. After half time, Rebecca G made it four with a far post volley, followed by a well-worked free kick routine which ended with Olivia T driving home from 15 yards. Victory was completed with Siobhan F and Evie M both notching their second goals of the game. ----The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC. | 
