7-A-SIDE:
UNDER 9s:
YMCA A 0 THORNTON A 0
YMCA B 1 THORNTON B 1
These two teams served up tremendous entertainment on a fine and sunny autumn morning at Seafield Rd last Saturday and both teams probably deserved to emerge with more than 2 points apiece. The A game swung from end-to-end throughout and with neither team managing to break the deadlock it ended goalless. Fred S and Reece R were both notable for YMCA. The B game started very evenly as well but midway through the 1st half YMCA went ahead with a close-range opportunist strike by Laurence J. However, within 2 minutes the visitors levelled to make the score 1-1 at the interval. YMCA had the edge in the 2nd half and went close to regaining the lead several times but they just couldn't find a winning goal. Ryan W was outstanding throughout for YMCA with Joel R also notable.
UNDER 10s:
THORNTON A 1 YMCA A 4
THORNTON B 0 YMCA B 1
YMCA collected all six points at Thornton last Saturday. They were always on top in the A game and two goals apiece from Kit G and Jordan M game them victory with the home side notching a consolation. Matthew J impressed at the back for YMCA. The B game was much closer but a first half strike by Chris C secured a hard-earned win for YMCA who battled well throughout.
11-A-SIDE
UNDER 11s:
YMCA 5 LYTHAM JUN 3
This was a very entertaining game at Seafield Rd with end-to-end action throughout the first half. YMCA took an early lead through Jack R after a great through ball by Bradley G. The visitors hit back with an equaliser before the outstanding Jack R who shone throughout gave YMCA the lead again with an excellent finish. Just before the break Lytham notched a 2nd equaliser but in the second half it was one way traffic with YMCA dominating with some high-quality football. Shane D and the impressive Bradley G and Conah B gave YM three further goals with Lytham replying with an excellent free kick from the centre circle. James R and Carl K were solid in defence with Jack C in outstanding form in centre midfield.
UNDER 12s:
POULTON YTH 0 YMCA 1
YMCA produced an excellent all-round team display at Cottam Hall last Sunday against a Poulton side boasting a 100% record. The first half was very evenly contested with both defences on top and it remained goalless at half time. It continued to be a hard fought tussle after the restart but midway through the half YMCA finally broke the deadlock with a brilliant goal by Linus W. He collected the ball some 40yds out and carried it at pace into the Poulton area before finding the net with a cool finish. YMCA continued to show great character against their physically stronger opponents and deservedly held on to clinch a hard-earned victory. Tyler D, Ben C, Jack D and Calvin R were all notable in this impressive YMCA performance.
Lancs FA Cup 3rd Round:
UNDER 13s:
CADLEY BOYS 0 YMCA 2
YMCA progressed into round 4 of the Lancashire Cup with a fine win at Cadley last Sunday. In a hard fought first half YMCA had several opportunities with Sam M and Robbie H both going close. And eventually edged ahead with a well taken free kick from Paul D who also had a goal disallowed after scoring direct from an indirect free kick. Cadley were reduced to 10 men in the second half when the referee produced a straight red card following a poor tackle and the tie was finally wrapped up when Oliver D set up Sam M for YMCA’s second goal. Ryan A and Alex C both shone in an excellent YMCA team performance.
UNDER 14s:
YMCA 2 SOUTH SHORE 7
YMCA are still seeking their first point of the campaign but there were some encouraging signs in the first half of this encounter at Seafield Rd last Sunday. After an even first 15 minutes Shore grabbed the lead but YMCA levelled 10 minutes later when Lewis M slammed home a superb 30yd free kick which beat the keeper into the far top corner of the net. YMCA continued to display good spirit but the visitors regained the lead on the stroke of half time. Shore increased their lead soon after the restart but YMCA pulled a goal back with a fine strike by Jason M. However, as YMCA tired in the latter stages of the game Shore cashed in with four further goals. James R and Dave M were both notable for YMCA.
UNDER 15s:
YMCA 4 WARTON TYPHOONS 2
YMCA struggled to find their form against a battling Warton Team last Sunday at Seafield Road. They dominated the first half but too many passes went astray in the final third. Man of the match Tom M opened the scoring in the 9th minute latching on to a long ball and sending it over the keeper into the top corner. Sam S added a second from the penalty spot after Oscar R was brought down in the area and Harry H hit a fine left foot shot from distance to give YM a 3-0 half time lead. If YMCA thought they had won the game, Warton had other ideas and their determination paid off with 2 second half goals to scare the home team into action. Alex G came on as a substitute for his first appearance of the season following a long injury layoff and he added a bit of spark to what was a lack-lustre team performance by scoring a fourth goal to seal YMCA’s victory.
UNDER 16s:
THORNTON 2 YMCA 1
YMCA can count themselves unlucky to lose this game at Thornton last Sunday. Despite missing several players through injuries and holidays they took the initiative from the start. They took the lead through Adam Z who netted from close range following a flowing move down the left and it remained 1-0 at the interval. YMCA continued to dictate the game after the restart but midway through the 2nd half Thornton cashed in on two YMCA defensive errors in the space of 5 minutes to take a 2-1 lead. Even though YMCA continued to have the upper hand they failed to penetrate the home defence again and Thornton held on to their slender lead until the end. James P, Neil W, Jonathan B and Nathan A were all notable for YMCA.
UNDER 18s:
BURSCOUGH 0 YMCA 3
In bright autumn sunshine at Burscough last Sunday YMCA collected another 3 points to keep them at the top of the LEP League. After only 5 minutes Nathan R put a header just wide and minutes later skipper Matty R curled a shot which came back off the upright. However, despite creating more first half chances the game remained scoreless at the break. Within only 20 seconds of the restart though Jordan D pounced onto a through ball from Scott H, and calmly rounded the keeper before slotting home. After 65 minutes Scott H got on the scoresheet himself with a low drive from 20 yards, and the scoring was finished off in stoppage time when Matty R robbed the Burscough keeper and his pass across the face of the goal was tapped home by the prolific Nathan R. Scott H was superb throughout, Max Rothwell a constant threat on the right, and Matty R as always drove the team forward. YMCA's defence was again excellent in keeping another clean sheet.
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