UNDER 9s:
YMCA A 0 POULTON YTH A 4
YMCA B 2 POULTON YTH B 3
In this YMCA team’s first-ever competitive league game they were a little unlucky not to take a share of the points at a sunny Seafield Rd last Saturday. The visitors proved too strong in the A game and were on top throughout and two goals in each half gave them a deserved victory. In the B game YMCA began nervously and a defensive error gifted Poulton with an early lead. However, YMCA then began to find some real fluency and two well-taken goals by Laurence J put them 2-1 ahead at the interval. YMCA were unlucky not to clinch the game in the 2nd half when two delightful lobs by Laurence J both hit the visitors’ crossbar before Poulton cashed in on more slackness in the YMCA defence to snatch two further goals and claim a narrow victory.
UNDER 10s:
POULTON YTH A 0 YMCA A 2
POULTON YTH B 0 YMCA B 2
Last season’s champions YMCA started the new season by claiming all six points with excellent displays at Cottam Hall last Saturday. They had the edge throughout the A game and strikes by Kit G and the impressive Jordan M gave them a 2-0 lead at the break. They continued to have the initiative in the 2nd half but couldn't add to their total. James C was notable throughout. The B game was a more even contest but a goal from Chris C edged YMCA into a 1-0 half time lead. After the restart their lead remained intact thanks to a superb save from keeper Sam G before a 2nd strike by Chris C sealed the issue for YMCA.
UNDER 11s:
YMCA 10 BLACKPOOL RAN 0
YMCA were asleep for the first 5 minutes and found themselves behind with a great header from a corner. Rangers’ lead didn't last long though with captain Carl K slotting home an equaliser from the penalty spot. After having a goal disallowed, Bradley G made sure with a fine finish after 15 minutes. Five minutes later tricky winger Jordan W gave YMCA a 3-1 lead which they took in to the break. Shane D looked menacing throughout and set up Ryan W early in the second half. The flood-gates then opened as YMCA added a further 6 goals. These came in the form of James R (2), Cameron S, Jack R and man of the match Shane D who also scored twice. Rangers notched a 2nd consolation in the closing minutes.
UNDER 13s:
Lancs FA Cup 1st Round:
YMCA 7 MOSTON BROOK 0
YMCA produced a fine team display in the first round of the Lancashire Cup at Seafield Road on Sunday. Sam M scored two well-taken efforts in the first half together with individual strikes from Ryan A and Sam M. Liam R set up Allan for his second just after half time before Sam M completed an excellent hat trick.
Goal of the game came from Corey C who hammered home a 20 yard shot following an excellent Allan through ball. Liam R and Liam W both impressed in YMCA’s midfield.
UNDER 14s:
KIRKHAM 6 YMCA 0
YMCA, who almost folded prior to the start of the season due to a shortage of players, battled well in the 1st half at Kirkham last Sunday. The home side always had the edge but resolute defending by Jack B and Dave M plus a couple of fine saves by ‘keeper Tom N kept YMCA in the game but Kirkham grabbed a goal to take a 1-0 lead into the break. YMCA’s hopes were shattered though when Kirkham netted three quick-fire goals soon after the restart from which they never recovered and then conceded twice more before the end. Louis M and Dan F worked tirelessly in YMCA’s midfield but the home side were just too strong on the day.
UNDER 15s:
Lancs FA Cup 1st Round:
YMCA 3 AFC HINDLEY 1
YMCA eventually came out on top in this bruising LFA cup encounter at Seafield Road, but they were made to battle right to the final whistle by their uncompromising opponents from Wigan. The game was played at a furious pace and Hindley had the better of the early exchanges. They put YMCA under pressure on several occasions but the defence, which Sam S led superbly all afternoon, held firm. Jack C handled with confidence in goal as Joe K, Rob C, Tom M and Danny J thwarted the opposition. YMCA came more and more into the game and at times played some neat, flowing football. In the 27th minute the battling Oscar R was cynically fouled and the resultant free kick expertly taken by Harry H was neatly volleyed past the keeper by Lloyd P. In the 2nd half YM matched their opponents and fought for every ball as the game swung from end to end. Hindley finally equalised with just 8 minutes left on the clock, but YMCA regained the initiative. Within 3 minutes they regained the lead after the hardworking Jason W and Jon H won a corner from which the impressive Lloyd P headed past the keeper. Victory was sealed in the last minute when Josh V held off a defender to fire home the goal that his performance deserved.
UNDER 18s:
YMCA 1 CROSTON 2
A first home match of the LEP League season ended in defeat for YMCA against a Croston team whose goalkeeper was in outstanding form. The opening exchanges were even with YMCA perhaps guilty of over-passing and slightly against the general run of play Croston took the lead in the 20th minute. This seemed to settle YMCA down and improved fluency led to a number of chances being created as they ended the half strongly. Five minutes before the break Max R equalised from close range and the score was even at half time. In the 2nd half YMCA were quick out of the traps and dominated the opposition forcing numerous top class saves from the Croston keeper. Firstly the superb Sam T was denied what would have been an excellent goal, and then the keeper twice pulled off great saves from Adam W headers and he also denied goal bound efforts from Dan H amongst others. However, with 20 minutes remaining Croston scored direct from a free kick, the ball somehow finding the back of the net from a wide angle. YMCA continued to pour forward in search of a goal but could not find a way past the brilliant Croston keeper. Anthony S looked assured in an unfamiliar defensive role and Scott H controlled the match throughout from midfield. An excellent performance but perhaps this shows YMCA just what will be required in this league.
GIRLS FOOTBALL
U10s YMCA 4 MILL HILL 0
After two pre-season victories YMCA started confidently at Seafield Rd and settled quickly taking the lead in the 4th mins through Laurel N. Both teams battled hard for the next 10 minutes although YMCA always seemed to have slightly the upper hand. In the 14th Olivia H broke free of Mill H’s defence to double the lead and make it 2-0 at the interval. The visitors started the second half strongly forcing two fine saves by keeper Ellie M. But YMCA were soon on the attack again and after two near misses by Georgia R, North once again found the back of the net to make it 3-0. Two minutes later a YMCA victory was put beyond doubt when Laurel N completed an excellent hat trick.
U13s:
YMCA 5 WESTBURY WILDCATS 0
YMCA started their season with this excellent victory against a battling Bury based Westbury team at Seafield Road. The game remained goalless until the 20th minute when a dazzling run from Evie M saw her initial shot saved by the Westbury keeper but she followed up to slot home the rebound. The score remained at 1-0 until five minutes into the second half when following a scramble in the Westbury area Evie M was on hand to score her second. As Westbury chased the game YMCA found more space and strikes by Siobhan F and Ruby L doubled their lead before Evie M completed her hat trick.
UNDER 17s:
READSTONE 2 YMCA 8
YMCA kicked off the new season in fine style at Readstone. They dominated the 1st half and reached the interval with a commanding 5-0 lead. Although the home side improved after the restart and scored twice YMCA always looked the stronger side and added a further three goals to complete an excellent victory. Millie B bagged a hat trick with Ashley W notching a pair. Strikes by Melissa D, Siobhan R and Louise G completed the scoring.
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