UNDER 9s:
CLIFTON RAN A 6 YMCA A 0
CLIFTON RAN B 2 YMCA B 2
YMCA found the home side far too strong in the A game last Saturday and were 4-0 down at half time. They improved a little after the restart but the superior Clifton added two more goals before the end Marcus W impressed throughout for the visitors. The B game was a much closer but Rangers reached half time with a slender 2-1 lead, Ryan W on target for YMCA. In the 2nd half YMCA had a slight edge and a 2nd goal by Ryan earned them a much-deserved point.
UNDER 10s:
YMCA A 2 CLIFTON RAN A 1
YMCA B 1 CLIFTON RAN B 2
YMCA started brightly in the A game at Seafield Rd last Saturday and skipper Own F gave them an early lead. Rangers levelled before half time but YMCA restored their lead in the 2nd half through the lively Kit G, a lead they comfortably held on to until the end. Jordan M was outstanding throughout. In the B game Harrison O gave YMCA a lead only for Rangers to make it 1-1 at half time. After the restart YMCA never really found their rhythm and were well below par and it was no surprise when Rangers scored again to give them a deserved victory.
UNDER 11s:
ST ANNES FC 2 YMCA 6
In this local derby at Blackpool Rd North last Sunday YMCA were never really threatened. They played against a fierce wind in the first half and after some excellent football for the first 15 minutes found themselves ahead through Shane D who finished well but just before the break a defensive error allowed St Annes to get an equaliser. With the wind behind them in the second half YMCA dominated and created numerous chances but found St Annes 'keeper in fine form. However, they put the game beyond doubt with Jack Ri scoring twice, the excellent Conah B increasing their lead with James R and Johnny A, who were both impressive throughout, both bagging a goal apiece. St Annes grabbed a second consolation goal in the closing minutes.
UNDER 12s:
Lancs FA Cup 1st Round:
YMCA 5 SPRINGFIELDS 0
YMCA comfortably progressed to the 2nd round of the County FA Cup with this victory at a blustery Seafield Rd last Sunday. They adapted quickly to the difficult conditions and took and early lead through Sean K with Linus W doubling their lead inside the 10th minute. With YMCA well in control Jamie M and Calvin R, who both impressed throughout, added further goals to give them a 4-0 lead at half time. Although the visitors came more into the game in the 2nd half they rarely troubled a solid looking YMCA rearguard and a 2nd goal of the game by Kenny completed victory for YMCA for whom Jordan D, Ben C and Luke M were all notable.
UNDER 13s:
WYRE JUN 1 YMCA 3
This was a hard fought game in very difficult conditions and YMCA struggled to find their usual fluency. They still managed to calve our several chances but failed to take them and it remained goalless at the break .With the wind easing a little in the 2nd half YMCA finally broke the deadlock with a well taken goal by Sam M which was followed shortly afterwards by a second goal through a fiercely hit drive from Paul D. Victory was sealed when after a neat move down the right Jordan B fired home from a great cross to the far post. With minutes ticking away sloppy YMCA defending allowed a great cross into their area being headed home for a Wyre consolation.
UNDER 14s:
YMCA 0 FOXHALL 10
A much depleted YMCA outfit were no match for a very strong Foxhall outfit who look firm championship favourites even at this early stage of the campaign. YMCA battled gamely facing the strong wind and driving rain in the first half but reached the interval 4-0 behind. Despite the atrocious conditions YMCA never gave up after the restart and always tried to play football but with no substitutes to call upon they eventually tired allowing the visitors to add a further six goals. YMCA’s stand-in ‘keeper Dave M produced a brave display as did defenders Tom C and James R with Danny F working tirelessly in midfield against the odds.
UNDER 16s:
LFA Cup 1st Round:
YMCA 5 THORNTON 1
YMCA had to overcome near gale-force conditions last Sunday at Seafield Rd to reach the 2nd round of the County FA cup competition. They had the strong wind behind them in the 1st half but despite dominating from the start they couldn't find a breakthrough until the 20th min. It came when James G burst through and fired against the post and Taz M followed up to fire the rebound home from a narrow angle. 3 minutes later it was 2-0 when Jonathan M fired home a thunderous drive from 30yds. Another Taz M strike increased YMCA’s further before the impressive Harry F made it 4-0 at half time. As expected the visitors came much more into the game after the restart with the elements in their favour and after a spell of pressure pulled a goal back. YMCA weathered the storm though with some gritty and resolute defending and Taz M completed a superbly taken hat trick with a fifth goal for the home side to put the issue beyond doubt. This was a very workmanlike and determined YMCA performance considering the very difficult conditions.
UNDER 18s:
YMCA 3 NEWTON 0
This was a return to winning ways for YMCA, although it was the visitors who started the match brightly with the strong wind behind their backs. Keeper Adam B had to be alert to long-range shots as Newton tried to use the conditions to their advantage. However, YMCA came into the game after 15 minutes when a Scott H cross-shot was pushed onto the crossbar by the Newton keeper. Shortly afterwards an Anthony S free kick found Matty R inside the box who netted from close range. Just before half-time the Newton keeper saved well from a Jordan D turn and shot, and it remained 1-0 at the break. Early in the second half Nathan R hit the crossbar with a flicked effort from a corner but 5 minutes later he was on hand to score from close range after a Scott H shot had been parried by the keeper. YMCA continued to drive forward and sealed the victory in the 89th minute when the influential Matty R grabbed his second of the game with a 20yd pile driver. This was another solid YMCA team display in difficult blustery conditions.
GIRLS U10s:
GREAT HARWOOD 2 YMCA 2
YMCA’S second game of the season proved to be a tough match from the start with Great Harwood almost scoring in the first minute. YMCA were under pressure for most of the first half and went a goal down after 8 minutess and it became 2-0 just 2 minutes later, the first goals the team had ever conceded. YMCA’ regular keeper Ellie M pulled a muscle in trying to prevent the 2nd goal and had to be replaced by Georgia R who was immediately put under pressure but made two great saves. However, YMCA’s tenacity was rewarded when Olivia H reduced the deficit to make it 2-1 at the break. After the restart YMCA began to take the upper hand and dominated the half with countless shots on goal before Olivia H grabbed her second goal of the game to level the scores. YMCA had the chance to go in front when the impressive Olivia H was brought down for a penalty but the home ‘keeper pulled off an excellent save. YMCA had further efforts on target but failed to find another breakthrough and they had to settle for a draw.
GIRLS U13s:
THORNTON CLEVELEYS 3 YMCA 4
Thornton seized the initiative in this battle of local rivals, storming into a 2-0 lead within ten minutes. However YMCA hit back with two fine individual strikes by Evie M then from a Evie M corner they took the lead when Olivia T rose above the Thornton defence to power home a header. Before half time though the scores where equal again when a Thornton shot was deflected into the YMCA net. In the second half YMCA increased the pressure on the Thornton goal and with 12 minutes remaining got their reward when the powerful Manning crossed the ball from the right for Sasha W to head home a winner from close range.
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