Match Reports

YMCA FC

YMCA FC

COULTON CUP SEMI FINAL:

UNDER 10s:

YMCA A 0 South Shore A 2YMCA B 2 South Shore B 1

With key players missing due to Easter holidays YMCA struggled to find their rhythm in the A game but still gave an excellent gutsy team performance as they soaked up much of the pressure throughout the game. Dylan S and Shane D worked hard and both came close on a couple of occasions. Cameron S and Johnny A were both excellent in YMCA’s defence and Johnny A also hit the bar from a free kick. Keeper Alex M was outstanding making some brilliant saves.

However, Shore’s strength showed as they scored two well worked goals, one in each half. YMCA started the B game the brighter team even against the stiff breeze and had Shore pinned in their half for much of the game. Conah B, Bradley G and Jordan W all came close but at half time the score remained 0-0.

As YMCA pushed for goals Shore scored against the run of play but YMCA responded immediately when Bishop pulled the ball back after a great run down the line for Jordan W to fire home. YMCA then missed a penalty as they piled the on pressure before Carl K netted to make a tense last 5 minutes. Good efforts struck the woodwork twice but they couldn't find the important 3rd goal to level the overall scores. James R was dominant throughout and Oscar T also shone.

UNDER 11s:

YMCA 7 KIRKHAM JUN 0

YMCA ran out comfortable winners against their South Fylde rivals at Seafield Rd last Sunday. They started brightly and took the lead with a strike by Daniel L. As YMCA continued to have the edge two goals from Keiran S gave them a 3-0 lead at the break. The stiff breeze made conditions a little tricky but YMCA seemed to cope with ease. The outstanding Keiran S brought his match tally to four with two stunning strikes and the impressive Lean grabbed his 2nd of the game with a bullet-like header from a corner with a Giles H goal completing YMCA’s victory. Calvin R, Tyler D and Jamie M were all notable in a fine team all-round team display. 

UNDER 12s:

CLIFTON RAN 1 YMCA 0

This game was played in difficult conditions at Mereside Park last Sunday. Clifton capitalised on the favourable wind direction to take the lead halfway through the first half. In a frustrating second half YMCA battled well but were unable to make the most of the limited chances that came their way. Cory C played well down the wing with Keil F and Liam R both solid in defence throughout.

UNDER 13s:

YMCA 4 SPIRIT OF YOUTH 3

YMCA produced a stunning fight-back to claim a memorable victory at Seafield Rd last Sunday. The visitors had the stiff breeze behind them in the 1st half and they used it to good effect. Long balls over the top seemed to cause all sorts of problems to the YMCA rearguard and Spirit capitalised by taking a 3-0 lead by the 20th minute. YMCA looked down and out but were given hope when Dave M reduced the deficit, scrambling the ball into the net from a dangerous corner-kick by Jack H to make it 3-1 at the break. YMCA started the 2nd half as brightly as they had ended the 1st and a strike by Jack H reduced Spirit’s lead further. YMCA attacked non-stop and they drew level with a tremendous 20yd free kick by Saul T. Seemingly, not wanting to settle for a draw YMCA continued with their relentless attacking play and 3 minutes from time were awarded a penalty for a hand-ball offence. Matthew N calmly slotted home the resultant spot kick to clinch a remarkable victory. Dan F was outstanding in midfield with Mattie K and James R both working tirelessly throughout. New signing Oliver T made a promising debut after coming on as a half time substitute. 

UNDER 14s:

STAINING 0 YMCA 4

YMCA returned to winning ways with this excellent victory at Staining last Sunday. The bumpy pitch made conditions very difficult for both teams but YMCA adapted the better of the two teams. Jason W continued his recent run of scoring by putting YMCA ahead and their lead was doubled with a Jon H strike to make it 2-0 at half time. YMCA continued to have the upper hand in the 2nd half and the outstanding Houston grabbed two further goals to complete an excellent hat trick. In a fine team display Kyle T, Sam P and ‘Pooch’ were all notable with stand-in ‘keeper Tom M producing a fine performance also.

UNDER 15s:

LYTHAM JUN 3 YMCA 2

YMCA had five players unavailable due to rugby commitments and Easter Holidays leaving their squad down to the bare-bones at Lytham Academy last Sunday. A very bumpy and uneven pitch was a major problem for both teams and it was no surprise that the contest was a very scrappy affair throughout with neither team able to produce any real rhythm. Lytham opened the scoring which gave them a 1-0 lead at the interval but YMCA levelled after the restart when a cross by Adam Z led to a scramble in the Lytham goalmouth from which Taz M forced the ball home. YMCA them took the lead when another cross by the impressive Adam was hammered home by Nick B. However, the home side were soon back on level terms and a draw looked certain until Lytham grabbed a winner with a headed goal from a corner.

UNDER 17s:

YMCA JUN 5 CLIFTON JUN 0

YMCA bounced back from the disappointment of last week's Hogan Cup semi final defeat with this emphatic victory at a sunny Seafield Road last Sunday. From the first whistle YMCA took control of the game and created a number of good chances but they had to wait until the 33rd minute for their first goal, A Dan H free kick finding Jordan D who lobbed the advancing Clifton ‘keeper. The second goal came two minutes later from a pinpoint through ball by Hartley into Morgan L's path, and the striker finished neatly. Moregan claimed his second on 47 minutes, and with 15 minutes remaining Jordan H made it 4-0 with a far post header following a Dan H corner. In the closing minutes another Dan H corner was dispatched into the net by Jack M to round off a comprehensive victory and an excellent team performance from YMCA.

UNDER 17s:

BJFF 0 YMCA SEN 1

YMCA caused a setback to the title hopes of league leaders BJFF with this excellent victory at Boundary Park last Sunday. It was hard fought and entertaining tussle throughout with nothing between the teams but YMCA managed to go into the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to a strike by Luke A. The 2nd half continued in a similar pattern and with both defences continuing to dominate and chances for either team were few and far between but YMCA managed to hold on to their slender lead until the final whistle. Joe L was outstanding for YMCA with Rick S also impressive throughout with a hard working display in midfield.

UNDER 12 GIRLS:

WILPSHIRE 1 YMCA 7

YMCA secured a comfortable victory on a difficult pitch away at Wilpshire. Ahead on four minutes through Evie M, YMCA were pegged back when a hard working Wilpshire side equalised when YMCA gave the ball away in midfield. Siobhan F put YMCA back in front and this was followed by a superb move finished off by Millie G to make the half time score 3-1. In the second half YMCA seized control and added further goals through Jenny H, Ruby L and second strikes of the game by Evie M and the outstanding Siobhan F.

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