UNDER 9s:
YMCA A 2 LAYTON JUN A 0
YMCA B 2 LAYTON JUN B 0
YMCA came out aggregate 4-0 winners in this Plate match at Seafield Rd last Saturday. A Laurence J strike gave them an early lead in the A game and it remained 1-0 at the break. It continued to be a close tussle in the 2nd half but the outstanding Ryan W added a 2nd YMCA to seal the issue. Kieran H was also notable. In the B game YMCA were on top from the start and Kyle M gave them a 1-0 interval lead. YMCA remained in control after the restart and squandered numerous chances before the impressive Kyle M notched his and his team’s 2nd goal to clinch victory. Reece M also played well.
UNDER 10s:
CLIFTON RAN A 0 YMCA 3
CLIFTON RAN B 0 YMCA B 3
In what was YMCA’s only 2nd league game since Christmas they collected all six points at Clifton last Saturday with two fine team displays. In the A game a Chris C goal gave them a 1-0 interval lead which was doubled after the restart by Cameron R before Chris C completed victory with his 2nd of the game. Kit G was outstanding throughout. In the B contest YMCA again led 1-0 at the break with a strike by Josh C. They remained in control after half time and further goals were added by Matthew J and Kai L. Rhys M impressed throughout.
11-A-SIDE:
Hogan Cup 1st Round - UNDER 11s:
KIRKHAM JFC 1 YMCA 3
This was a typical cup tie at Kirkham last Sunday in which the home side nearly caused an upset. In a fairly uneventful 1st half YMCA lost two players to injury inside the first 5 minutes but Johnny A always looked menacing down the right wing with Jack C also outstanding throughout. Johnny A and Jack R came close with good efforts in the first half but it remained goalless at half time. In the second half substitute Christian H came on and he changed the game. He was at the heart of all YMCA’s attacks as they began to dominate and although the home side struggled to cope they snatched the lead against the run of play. YMCA though showed great spirit and began to convert their chances. Bradley G, Carl K and Christian H all came close and Jack R hit the post before Shane D scored a superb equaliser from 20 yards. Jack R's persistence then paid off and he put YMCA in front before the outstanding Christian H completed the scoring with an excellent goal from 20 yards. Carl K and Jack C also shone in a gutsy YMCA display.
UNDER 12s:
LYTHAM JUN 0 YMCA 4
YMCA returned to the top of the table with a convincing 4-0 win over local rivals Lytham at Park View playing fields on Sunday. The opening quarter of the game was evenly matched with both teams finding it difficult to retain possession in a swirling wind and it took a brilliant solo effort by Tyler D to break the deadlock. YMCA gradually took control of the game and midway through the second half, Linus W beat the offside trap to add a second and then Harvey R scored the goal of the game with a 25-yard shot into the corner. Sean K added a fourth just before the final whistle. Giles H and Jonny M both impressed for YMCA.
UNDER 13s:
YMCA 3 WYRE JUN 0
YMCA kept up their impressive league form with a comfortable win over Wyre Juniors on Sunday in gale force conditions at Seafield Rd last Sunday. Ryan R opened the scoring from close range, following up a Zenda S shot. Zenda S was unlucky when his 20yd shot hit the bar and the industrious Robbie H had an effort cleared off the line. It remained 1-0 at the break and soon after the restart Ryan A brilliantly beat three defenders before setting up Zenda S to double the home side’s lead. A poor ‘keeper’s clearance landed at the feet of Paul D who sealed the points for YMCA with a great 35yd drive into the empty net. Although Wyre rarely threatened Oliver D and Keil F both had excellent games in the YMCA defence.
Hogan Cup 1st Round - UNDER 14s:
WYRE JUN 2 YMCA 1
Once again YMCA started the game with just a bare 11 players and it was a mix up at the back which gifted Wyre the opening goal. After the initial shock of that goal YMCA started to play some good football and only some poor finishing to let them down. An injury Dan F after he was fouled left YMCA down to 10 men and Wyre took advantage to add a second which just squirmed in off the post to make it 1-0 at the break. YMCA played with the wind in the second half and although playing with 10 men they took the game to the home side and Matty K's unselfish running and persistency set up Kieran K to fire home a goal to give them renewed hope but Wyre held on for victory. YMCA’s defence of Dave M, Jason M and James R were solid in the second half and it was only when they started to push forward in search of an equaliser Wyre were dangerous on the break. Overall though this was a spirited YMCA team display in difficult conditions.
UNDER 15s:
FOXHALL 1 YMCA 0
YMCA’s unbeaten record came to an end at with this narrow defeat at Fishers Field last Sunday. It was a closely fought contest throughout but YMCA never really adapted to the conditions with the swirling wind making it difficult for them to find their normal rhythm. They had chances in the first half but it was Foxhall who broke the deadlock and led 1-0 at the break. YMCA continued to calve out chances in the 2nd half but failed to find an equaliser. Jon H, Danny J and Oscar R were all notable for YMCA who were perhaps a little unlucky to take nothing from the game.
UNDER 16s:
CLIFTON RAN 1 YMCA 4
YMCA pulled off the shock result of the day at Stanley Park last Sunday with this excellent win at previously unbeaten league leaders Rangers. YMCA were seriously depleted with illness and only had 12 players available, which included two goalkeepers, but displayed great spirit and commitment throughout. They took the lead through Winston H and Taz M made it 2-0 shortly afterwards. Rangers were further stunned when Taz M notched his second goal to give YMCA a 3-0 interval lead. Although Rangers came into the game more after the restart and reduced the lead YMCA continued to show gutsy determination and the outstanding Harry F put the issue beyond doubt with a fourth goal to complete a remarkable victory. Jon B was also notable in this very impressive team display by YMCA.
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