UNDER 9s:BJFF A 0 YMCA A 3 BJFF B 0 YMCA B 3YMCA collected another excellent 6 points at Bispham last Saturday and increased their lead at the top of the table. After a sluggish start in the A game they eventually found their rhythm and took the lead with a goal from the impressive Kit G. They made it 2-0 before the break when Jordan M reacted quickly to the loose ball and fired home after a spot kick had been parried by the home ‘keeper. YMCA remained in control after the interval and victory was sealed with a 3rd goal netted by Jamie B. In the B game YMCA starting brightly and went ahead with a brilliant goal by Josh C who chested the ball down and volleyed home. The outstanding Kai Leyland then doubled their lead with a well taken goal and it was 3-0 by half time with a strike from Rhys M. YMCA couldn’t add to their goal tally in the 2nd half but BJ never looked like penetrating a solid YMCA rearguard in which Tommy H was outstanding and it was another comfortable victory for the visitors. UNDER 10s:YMCA A 1 BJFF A 0 YMCA B 0 BJFF B 1The points finished up being shared in this entertaining top of the table clash at Seafield Rd last Saturday In the A game YMCA edged it with some excellent passing to break down the visitors’ defence on numerous occasions. Carl K was magnificent for YMCA dictating the game from the centre of the park throughout. Conah B was always menacing down the right and the BJ ‘keeper was forced into making good saves from Bishop and Kennedy before the break. Defensive pair Oscar T and Matt S continued to break down most of BJ’s attacks and 5 minutes from time Conah B broke free down the right with a determined run and his cross found Carl K who fired home to mark a man of the match performance. In the B game it was BJ who edged it as they looked lively from the start. They maintained most of the possession with YMCA unable to find their usual rhythm. Keeper Alex M made two good saves to keep YMCA level before the break with YMCA’s only chances coming from a Jordan W corner which saw James R head inches wide and Johnny A who almost netted after a great through ball from Cameron S. Midway through the second half the visitors punished some slack play by YMCA with a well taken goal. YMCA went close to finding an equaliser through James R , Jordan W and Shane D but they couldn’t find a breakthrough and in the end league leaders BJ deserved their victory. Jordan M and Matt S were both notable. UNDER 12s:YMCA 5 ST ANNES FC 0This was a much deserved victory for the under 12’s who were too strong for their local rivals. Corey C opened the scoring with a well-taken volley from a pin-point Oliver D corner kick then Ryan Allen doubled YMCA’s lead after latching on to an Andrew W pass. Allen then doubled his account scoring from a Oliver D cross before completing his hat trick with a fine solo effort to give his team a 4-0 lead at the break. Corey C bagged his second goal shortly after half time from a fine Matthew R through ball and although St Annes created several late chances Matthew H managed to keep a clean sheet in the YMCA goal. This was a very sporting encounter and full credit to both teams for playing the game in excellent spirit. UNDER 14s:CLIFTON RAN 5 YMCA 2 (Lancs FA Cup 3rd Round)YMCA made a gallant exit from the County Cup in this 3rd round tie at Mereside last Sunday. Clifton took an early lead but YMCA bounced back well and equalised with a strike by Jason W. The home side pressed hard to regain the lead but it was YMCA who scored again rather against the run of play, the outstanding Jason W again on target but Rangers levelled to make it 2-2 at half time. The overall strength of Rangers began to tell in the 2nd half and although YMCA continued to display great fighting qualities they couldn’t prevent Rangers from scoring three more goals. The home were generally superior throughout but YMCA, for whom John H, Sam S and Kyle T were all notable, must be given great credit for a very gutsy and spirited team display. UNDER 17s:THORNTON JUN 1 YMCA 2This was an incident packed match played at a high tempo throughout at Thornton last Sunday with 3 goals, a penalty and a sending off. It was the visitors who took the lead in the 10th minute when Dalton S neatly scored from close range following a Sam T corner. However midway through the half Thornton equalised and the game remained even at the break. The second half became a little scrappy with chances for both teams but neither keeper really troubled. With 15 minutes remaining the lively Alex B skipped clear of the home defence only to be upended in the penalty area. The resultant penalty was dispatched by Dan H, sending the keeper the wrong way. Thornton pushed for an equaliser and YMCA keeper Adam B was forced into a fine save. In the closing minutes YMCA were reduced to 10 men when a player was sent off for a second yellow card they but hung on for a hard-earned victory. Jamie G, Dan S and Adam W were all solid throughout in YMCA's rearguard. UNDER 17s:YMCA SENIORS 4 THORNTON SENIORS 2This was a hard fought encounter at Seafield Rd last Sunday with YMCA eventually running out deserved winners. They took an early lead through Ben S but within a minute the visitors were back on level terms and then took the lead shortly afterwards. It was 2-2 at half time though with a YMCA equaliser from the outstanding Mark K and the game continued to be evenly balanced after the restart. A 2nd strike by Ben S though restored YMCA’s lead and although the visitors went close on a couple of occasions YMCA sealed victory in the closing minutes when a long throw by James S found its way to the far post where Ben S was on hand to side-foot the ball into the net to complete his hat trick. Tom B impressed throughout in a hard working YMCA team display. UNDER 12 GIRLS:YMCA 8 HASLINGDEN 0YMCA secured their eighth straight league victory with convincing victory at home to Haslingden. Olivia M opened the scoring when she turned and shot from an acute angle, and with the outstanding Evie M creating many opportunities this was quickly followed by two goals from Annie C. It became 4-0 at half time half time with Stephanie V increasing YMCA’s lead. Following the interval Millie G, Stephanie V, Sophie L and Siobhan F added to YMCA's score to complete an emphatic victory. ----The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC. | 
