7-A-SIDE:
UNDER 10s:
YMCA A 2 FWOOD TOWN A 0
YMCA B 1 FWOOD TOWN B 1
YMCA were left disappointed at not taking maximum points to keep their title hopes alive in this encounter at a spring-like Seafield Rd last Saturday. They were generally on top in the A game and goals by Kit G and Lewis T gave them a 2-0 interval lead. They failed to increase their lead from a spot kick in the 2nd half but overall this was a comfortable victory in which Jacob A was notable.
YMCA started the B game brightly as well and their speedy wide players, Chris C and David C were a constant threat to the visitors and it was C who gave them a 1-0 interval lead after great work by C. In the 2nd half though Town came much more into the game and levelled when a YMCA defender deflected a corner kick into his own net. YMCA were twice denied a winner in the closing minutes by two outstanding saves by the Town keeper but a draw was probably a fair result to this game.
11-A-SIDE:
UNDER 11s:
YMCA 5 BLACKPOOL RANGERS 2
YMCA never got out of bed in the first half and gave their worst performance of the season.
Their unbeaten home record looked like ending as they gifted the visitors to a 2-0 lead at half time. YMCA’s only chances were a Jack R long range effort and a Carl K penalty which hit the cross bar. YMCA though showed in the second half why they are league champions, playing some excellent determined football. Bradley G was in inspirational form scoring their first goal before the hardworking Matt S grabbed an equaliser. Jack R then gave YMCA the lead and minutes later Bradley G scored with an outstanding header to make it 4-2. Keeper Chester D, who was excellent throughout, came out of goal to score a late penalty to complete the scoring. Conah B was also notable for YMCA on the right wing, delivering numerous quality crosses throughout.
UNDER 12s:
THORNTON 4 YMCA 0
YMCA suffered their heaviest defeat in several seasons, 4-0 at the hands of Thornton Cleveleys at Burn Naze on Sunday. Thornton started the game in a very competitive spirit and YMCA were knocked out of their stride by two good finishes to make it 2-0 at half time for the home side. YMCA wasted a handful of excellent chances as they chased the game in the second half and Thornton pushed forward and scored twice more, the last one from a hotly disputed penalty award. Second-half substitute Andy C impressed for YMCA.
UNDER 13s:
YMCA 5 POULTON YTH 1
YMCA turned in another impressive performance against a well organised Poulton side. They took an early lead when Sam M latched onto an Oliver D through ball to open his account. Zenda S doubled the lead with a fine strike from the edge of the area. Sam M added to his tally with a well taken second goal from close range. Substitute Jordan F then netted before Sam M completed his hat trick with a close range shot before Poulton scored with a late consolation effort. Sam M and Liam R both had excellent games in the YMCA midfield.
UNDER 14s:
KIRKHAM 6 YMCA 1
YMCA started really brightly belying their bottom of the league placing. Kirkham did have a couple of chances but from a YMCA’s point of view this was a very positive first half. They looked lively in midfield and chances did come their way, Rowbotham hitting the bar with one effort and McGreehin seeing a shot saved by the keeper but it remained goalless at the break. The second half though was far different as Kirkham began to dominate the game and it was all over as a contest as they raced into a 5-0 lead. YMCA responded with a strike by Jamie M only for Kirkham to smash home an unstoppable shot for their 6th goal. YMCA’s defensive trio of Mitchell F and Bradley and make-shift ‘keeper Dan B all impressed and Mattie K also worked hard.
UNDER 15s:
YMCA 1 KIRKHAM JFC 0
YMCA got back to winning ways in this top of the table clash at Seafield Road last Sunday. A goal as early as the 6th minute was enough to give YM the points in a thrilling end to end encounter. Lloyd P did well to flick a header to Alex G who volleyed crisply into the net at the goalkeeper's near post. Both teams produced some flowing football, but YMCA had the edge and only some good goalkeeping and the woodwork kept them at bay. Oscar R sent a fine header crashing into the bar as the Kirkham defence was stretched on several occasions. The visitors always looked dangerous on the break but the YMCA defence of Jon H, Sam S, Joe K and Adam L held firm. Daniel J was superb in midfield and he was ably supported by Oscar R, Tom M, Ben W and Lloyd P. Alex G worked tirelessly as the lone striker. A great result for YMCA who now sit proudly at the top of the league.
UNDER 16s:
FC RANGERS 1 YMCA 5
After beating table-toppers Clifton Rangers last week YMCA secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season with this victory at Boundary Park last Sunday. They controlled the 1st half and Harry F put the ahead after latching on to fine ball from James T and it soon became 2-0, Foley again on target with a good finish. It was 3-0 at the interval with Barlow netting from an excellent cross by Taz M. Rangers pulled a goal back after the restart but YMCA remained well in control and a 2nd goal of the game by the excellent Barlow restored their 3-goal lead before Taz M capped a hard working display with YMCA’s 5th goal. Nathan A also impressed in the heart of the YMCA defence.
LEP Youth Cup Quarter Final:
UNDER 18s:
CHARNOCK RICHARD 2 YMCA 5
The perfect sunny conditions were matched by the pitch and facilities at the host's ground. Despite a great start for YMCA with a 4th minute penalty converted by Jordan D, the visitors struggled to find their usual flowing football and just before the break Charnock deservedly equalised with a well taken free kick. YMCA looked more lively at the start of the second half and Jordan D grabbed his second after 49 mins with an accurate strike from a wide angle. However, on the hour the hosts equalised again and the game became evenly balanced. A change of tactics by YMCA helped change the course of the last 15 minutes and man of the match Anthony S scored with perfectly placed free kick from the edge of the box. With 7 minutes remaining Stayte scored again, starting and finishing one of the best moves of the match, and Matty R completed the scoring in the last few minutes with another well hit shot from 20 yards. This was battling win against opponents from Division one puts and YMCA now face Eccleston & Heskin in the semi finals at Preston Sports Arena next Sunday at 11.00 am.
GIRLS U13s:
ROSSENDALE MAVERICKS 2 YMCA 3
YMCA twice came from behind to maintain their 100% record in a pulsating fixture at Rossendale last Sunday. Rossendale took the lead on sixteen minutes, when despite a superb one handed save from YMCA keeper Becky S - a Rossendale player - was quickest to react to the loose ball and turn it into an empty net. YMCA were second best in most area's of the pitch in the first half and it remained 1-0 at the break. However just three minutes after the restart a deflected Evie M shot beat the Rossendale keeper to make it 1-1. An open game continued with both teams having chances before a Rossendale corner was badly defended allowing Becky S, the Rossendale captain, being left unmarked to head her team into a 2-1 lead. With just ten minutes remaining though YMCA equalised for the second time when Ruby L scored with a superb 20 yard drive and as YMCA continued to press they got their reward in the closing minutes when a Evie M cross was knocked on by Lauren G for Jenny H to score a winner from close range.
GIRLS U17s:
THORNTON CLEV 2 YMCA 4
The two strongest teams in the league put in solid performances but it was the visitors who ended up with the spoils and to complete a double over their local rivals. The match was end to end throughout but YMCA took the lead in the sixth minute when Siobhan R put through Millie B who rounded the keeper and slotted home. Midway through the half Thornton equalised when a lapse in the YMCA defence was seized upon by the home team. Thornton were then awarded a penalty with five minutes of the half remaining for deliberate hand ball but the spot kick was well saved YMCA keeper and player of the match Hannah A. On the stroke of half time Thornton were awarded a second penalty for hand ball which Thornton this time converted to take a 2-1 lead into the break. On the hour though Mandy P levelled for YMCA who then took the lead with 20 minutes minutes remaining when Millie B netted her second goal of the game and she completed her hat trick by forcing the ball home from close range. Robyn T impressed throughout in central midfield with her no nonsense approach and distribution.
----
The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC.
