7-A-SIDE:
UNDER 8s
YMCA TANGERINES 2 BJFF A 2
YMCA BLACKS 0 BJFF B 1
On a murky morning at Worsley Rd last Saturday YMCA fought out two entertaining games with BJFF in front of many watching parents. In the first game YMCA Tangerines drew 2-2 after been 1-0 behind with James W and Thomas W both on target. Charles S was outstanding in midfield and Ben H bravely played on after losing a tooth. In the second match YMCA Blacks lost an even contest 1- 0, keeper Darylle C being their man of the match producing several fine saves.
UNDER 9s:
KIRKHAM JFC A 0 YMCA A 5
KIRKHAM JFC B 2 YMCA B 0
YMCA were on top throughout the A game at Maryfields last Saturday and ran out comfortable winners. Laurence J and Ryan W both netted twice with Dominic S also on target. In the B game however it was Kirkham who had the edge and their 2-0 victory gave them a share of the overall points. Amy S impressed for YMCA in this game.
UNDER 10s:
YMCA A 2 KIRKHAM JFC A 3
YMCA B 1 KIRKHAM JFC B 0
YMCA had to settle for a share of the points at Seafield Rd last Saturday after two very hard fought contests. In the A game the visitors went into half time with a 1-0 lead but YMCA levelled soon after the restart with a Jordan M strike. Kirkham regained the initiative though and regained the lead only for Cameron R to grab a second equaliser for YMCA and a draw looked on the cards until the visitors grabbed a late winner. Lewis T played well for YMCA. In the B game YMCA dominated from the start but were unable to break down the visitors’ defence in the 1st half but midway through the 2nd period Harrison O finally broke the deadlock to grab what proved to be a winning goal. Kai L and Chris C were both notable for YMCA.
11-A-SIDE:
UNDER 11s:
BJFF 4 YMCA 3
YMCA lost their unbeaten record to league leaders BJFF in this entertaining game at Bispham last Sunday. YMCA dominated for the first 10 minutes keeping the home side in their own half and forcing numerous corners but against the run of play BJ scored twice. The home side then took control of the game as the YMCA players seemed to drops their heads. However, just before half time James R was bought down in the area and from the resultant penalty Carl K coolly slotted home to make it 2-1 at the break. After the restart BJ continued to have the initiative being first to all the loose balls and added to their lead before Carl K pulled a goal back again for YMCA from another spot kick. This seemed to give YMCA new heart and for the last 10 minutes they dominated play and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Jack R, but then their hard work proved all on vain when sloppy defending gifted BJ a late winner.
UNDER 12s:
YMCA 5 LYTHAM JUN 0
The opening 15 minutes of this local derby at Seafield Rd last Sunday was evenly contested with YMCA unable to find their usual fluency. Gradually though YMCA began to take the initiative and a strike by Ben C gave them a 1-0 interval lead. YMCA’s improvement continued after the restart and they started to take full control of the game with some excellent football. Linus W netted two fine goals to put them firmly in the driving seat and further excellent strikes were added by Sean K and Giles H. Tyler D, Jamie M and Jonny M all impressed with keeper Liam M looking solid throughout.
UNDER 13s:
YMCA 0 LYTHAM JUN 2
This was a spirited performance from YMCA at Seafield Road last Sunday before being edged out by two Lytham strikes on the stroke of half time. In a competitive, even game, Sam M and Ryan A both came close to scoring and Alex C pulled off two magnificent saves. After turning round 2-0 behind YMCA dominated the second half and were unlucky not to score with efforts from Robbie H and Jack W, both well saved by the Lytham keeper. More fine keeping from Alex C kept the Lytham strike force out whilst Liam R and Sam M both excelled for YMCA.
Lancs FA Cup 2nd Round:
UNDER 14s:
BJFF 7 YMCA 1
With only 10 players available for this County Cup game at Bispham last Sunday YMCA were always going to be up against it. They battled manfully from the off but BJ reached half time with a 3-0 lead to virtually seal the tie. YMCA continued to battle on manfully after the restart and although Lewis M pulled a goal back BJ capitalised well on defensive lapses and added a further four goals. YMCA skipper James R led his team by example with an outstanding performance with Dave M and Alan G both notable also.
UNDER 15s:
BJFF 1 YMCA 9
YMCA struggled in the first half against a plucky BJFF and missed several chances before Tom M struck the opener on the half hour. Flowing football was difficult on a small pitch but YMCA still should have turned their superiority into more goals. Tom M hit his second just before half time to give them a 2-0 interval lead. The second half was much more convincing and Ben W scored soon after the break. Man of the match Sam S struck YMCA’s fifth following a BJFF own goal and further strikes from Jon H, Daniel J, Josh V and Harry H completed YMCA’s nine goal haul.
UNDER 16s:
YMCA 0 CLIFTON RAN 3
This was very entertaining and sporting encounter in warm Autumn sunshine at Seafield Rd last Sunday and it was strong title contenders Rangers who went home with all three points. The opening 15 minutes were evenly contested but the speedy visitors’ forwards always looked threatening and they hit three goals in a 10-minute midway through the half. Rangers remained on top and reached half time with a 3-0 lead but after the restart YMCA displayed much more determination and spirit and started to pose problems for the Rangers’ defence. Two good efforts from the lively Taz M were superbly saved by the visitors’ keeper and although Rangers’ opportunities became much more limited YMCA keeper Dan S was also called upon to pull off two brilliant saves. YMCA more than matched their opponents in the 2nd half but in the end it was the impressive looking Clifton outfit who were deserved winners overall. Skipper Nathan A was outstanding from start-to-finish in the heart of the YMCA defence with James T, Jack C and Harry F all working hard throughout.
UNDER 18s:
YMCA 3 ECCLESTON 0
In the autumn sunshine at Seafield Road last Sunday YMCA struggled to find their normal fluency against resilient opponents. The first half was of few chances to either team with YMCA coming closest when Adam W's header was well saved by the visitors’ keeper. It remained goalless at half time but after the break substitute Dan H injected some urgency, and following a good pass from Matty R it was Dan's cross that was turned in by Nathan R to break the deadlock on the hour. Soon afterwards a long throw in from Adam W's caused Eccleston problems in the penalty area and Rothwell made it 2-0 from close range. With ten minutes remaining another quality delivery from Hartley led to Nathan R grabbing his second of the match to secure a victory which keeps YMCA at the top of the LEP League table.
GIRLS U17s:
YMCA 4 THORNTON 3
This seven goal thriller at Seafield Rd last Sunday proved to be a game of two halves. Thornton started the brighter but it was YMCA who made the most of their attacking opportunities and in the 17th minute a long throw from Danielle T was headed-on by Millie B to the alert Melissa D who drilled the ball home. 12 minutes later the lead was doubled when a move down the left ended with Siobhan R confidently beating the keeper. In the 34th minute another long throw by YMCA's player of the match Danielle T found Charlie C whose looping header went over the advancing keeper and into the net. On the stroke of half time YMCA made it 4-0 when Millie B coolly slotted home. However, Thornton were far from beaten and came at YMCA in waves after the restart and pulled the score back to 4-3 with goals in the 47th , 56th and 89th minute and they also saw a shot thud against a post after dominating the whole of the second half. Notable for YMCA were Robyn T in midfield and Chloe L in defence as they now go third in the table above Thornton after this nail-biting victory.
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