UNDER 9s:
YMCA A 1 SOUTH SHORE A 1
YMCA B 2 SOUTH SHORE B 3
YMCA were a little unlucky to finish up with just a single point from these two hard fought tussles at Seafield Rd last Saturday. After a goalless 1st half in the A game the visitors went ahead after the restart but after a YMCA penalty miss the impressive Ryan W earned them a deserved point with a well-taken goal. Kieran H and Joel R were both notable also
In the B game YMCA fell behind but a fine opportunist strike by Laurence J put them back on level terms at half time. After the restart YMCA went ahead when Joyner again cashed in on a defensive error and fire home. However, slackness in YMCA’s rearguard allowed Shore to score twice more in the closing minutes and clinch victory which was a little harsh on the home side for whom Reece M and Declan H both shone.
UNDER 10s:
SOUTH SHORE A 0 YMCA A 4
SOUTH SHORE B 3 YMCA B 2
YMCA were disappointed to only take a share of the points from this encounter at South Shore last Saturday. In the A game they edged the first half and reached the interval with a 1-0 lead thanks to a strike by Lewis T. They then took control of the 2nd half and Thom completed his hat trick with two further goals with Kit G also finding the target. James H was outstanding in the YMCA defence. They start the B game brightly as well for YMCA with goals by David C and Cameron R giving them a comfortable 2-0 interval lead and seemingly on their way to another 3 points. However, after the restart Shore displayed great spirit and YMCA failed to cope with the asserted pressure they found themselves under which resulted in the home side bagging three goals to clinch for them a dramatic victory. Rhys M was notable for YMCA.
11-A-SIDE
UNDER 12s:
YMCA 5 SPIRIT OF YOUTH 1
YMCA stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 games with a convincing victory against Spirit Of Youth at a wind-lashed Seafield Road on Sunday. The home side played some excellent passing football despite the difficult conditions and went into a 1-0 lead when Linus W stabbed the ball home from close range. Further goals from Jamie M and Welsh gave YMCA a 3-0 half-time lead.
Spirit refused to buckle and pulled a goal back early in the second half, but two goals from the impressive Jordan B, the second a superb curling free kick into the top corner, sealed the win.
Hogan Cup U13s 1st Round:
YMCA 1 LYTHAM JUN 3
A spirited YMCA side could not overcome local rivals Lytham Juniors in this first round Hogan Cup tie. The home side went ahead within the opening 5 minutes with a sharply taken chance from Liam W. Ryan A and Ryan R both came close to doubling the lead before Lytham equalised with a well-taken header and the visitors bagged a second just before the break to give them a 2-1 interval lead. Despite a Sam M strike that hit the post and a penalty miss YMCA could not find an elusive equaliser and Lytham finally wrapped proceedings up with a late break away goal.
Man of the match Paul D and Liam R were both outstanding in the YMCA midfield in what was a highly entertaining encounter despite the difficult blustery conditions.
UNDER 14s:
SOUTH SHORE 5 YMCA 0
YMCA started very brightly considering their lowly position and probably had the better chances in the opening minutes with Matty K going close. It wasn’t until half way through the first period before Shore had their first decent chance and they made it count to take a 1-0 lead. Shortly after they made it 2-0 but YMCA continued to show good spirit and did find the back of the net only for it to be denied for offside.
Immediately Shore stormed up the other end to add another goal to go into the break 3-0 ahead. Adem S was proving a real handful in midfield and he won a free kick just out side the box which Alan G took and it looked a certain goal only for the shore ‘keeper to pull off a fine save.
The second half brought another great fighting display by YMCA despite losing two players to injury in the first half it was they who looked the more likely to score. Kay and Jamie M were both denied by excellent ‘keeping and YMCA ‘keeper Tom N produced a couple of good saves himself.
However, he had no chance with Shore’s fourth goal and an error near the end made it a flattering win for the home side. YMCA's defence of Dan F, Jack B and Dave M was impressive throughout as was man of the match was Adem S. But for some exceptional saves by the Shore ‘keeper it would have been much closer and if this team performance can be continued YMCA’s first points of the season will surely come soon.
UNDER 16s:
YMCA 2 THORNTON 2
YMCA had to settle for a point in this hard fought contest at a very windy Seafield Rd last Sunday. They had to wind and drizzle at their backs in the 1st half and took the lead through Harry F. Numerous chances were squandered to add further goals and they paid the penalty when Thornton broke away and equalised to make it 1-1 at the break. YMCA restored the lead after the restart with a Taz M strike but the visitors levelled again with a free header following a free kick. Despite facing the elements YMCA showed great character as Thornton went in search of a winning goal and even had chances to regain the lead but in the end a draw was probably a fair result to a very sporting contest.
UNDER 18s:
After the Christmas break it was a welcome return to football for YMCA with this short trip to neighbours Newton's Coronation Road ground, which had stood up remarkably well to the week's heavy rain. After an initial even start the game burst into life in the 17th minute when the excellent Anthony S cleverly beat a couple of players and fired in a shot and the ball went in off the far post.
A minute later it was 2-0 when a Sam T cross was met by Dan H who finished from 12 yards. Shortly after the break Scott H grabbed YMCA's third with a superb drilled finish from just outside the penalty area, and on 57 minutes the energetic Max R steered in the fourth with another well-driven long range effort. On the hour it was 5-0 when a long kick from keeper Rick H, returning for his second spell at YMCA, found Sam T, who raced away from the Newton defence and cleverly flicked the ball over the oncoming keeper. To round the afternoon off H himself became keeper turned poacher, when after being pushed into attack he calmly lofted the ball over the Newton keeper in the last minute. This was a fine YMCA win which takes back to the top of the LEP league.
GIRLS U10s:
YMCA 0 LAMMACK JUNIORS 1
Despite the weather the YMCA girls produced their best display of the season so far. However Lammack Juniors managed to get the better of them after taking a 10th min lead with a shot across the goal and into the far corner.
YMCA though looked determined to make an impression on Lammack, especially Olivia H and Beth E, but they couldn’t break down the visitors’ defence. Girl of the match Chyna A was once again impressive in defence and 'keeper Ellie M made an excellent save in the second half. YMCA’s two new girls Alex C and Natasha L look to have fitted well into the team and were both notable.
The scoreline was a little unfortunate for YMCA in a very entertaining contest.
GIRLS U13s:
YMCA 4 WOODBANK WARRIORS 2
YMCA came from behind to maintain their 100% record with a hard fought victory at a wet and windy Seafield Road last Sunday. They fell behind in the 3rd minute when they failed to clear a Woodbank cross and the ball was turned in at the far post. YMCA responded with a period of sustained pressure and were level on 13 minutes when Annie C tapped in at the far post. They continued to press and Evie M put them in front after excellent work from Stephanie V and it was Evie M again who added her second and YMCA's third on 22 minutes.
However, Wooodbank pulled back to 3-2 just before the break when a mix up in the YMCA defence gifted them a goal. The second half saw YMCA come under considerable pressure but some excellent defending and a number of fine saves from Becky S in the YMCA goal kept them in front and with 12 minutes remaining strong running from Evie M on the counter attack saw her complete her hat-trick and a fine YMCA victory.
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