UNDER 8s:
YMCA A 5 STAINING A 0
YMCA B 2 STAINING B 1
YMCA came out well on top in this friendly fixture at Ansdell last Saturday. In the A game Jack B, playing as an out and out right winger netted twice and George W also weighed in with a pair with his typical poaching instincts. James C completed the scoring with a tap-in after fine play by man of match Jack B. Ryan E was also outstanding in defence with some excellent interplay in midfield also. The B game was closer but YMCA again clinched victory with strikes by Rohon B from left midfield and the other from Harry S who was impressive throughout up front. Keeper Joshua A was notable also producing some fine saves.
UNDER 9s:
THORNTON CLEV A 2 YMCA A 1
THORNTON CLEV B 5 YMCA B 2
YMCA struggled to adapt to the small pitch at Thornton last Saturday and came away with nothing to show. They produced a poor 1st half display in the A game and were 1-0 down at half time and the home side doubled their lead after the restart. YMCA though then began to improve and pulled a goal back through Ryan W but they couldn’t find an equaliser. Keeper Anthony F was outstanding with Chyna A and Laurence J both notable also.
In the B game YMCA took the lead through Christian K but Thornton levelled to make it 1-1 at the interval and after the restart they began to dominate the game and shot into a 5-1 lead before the impressive Kirkham bagged his 2nd goal of the game. Kyle M worked hard throughout for YMCA and also notable was Fred S playing his final game before emigrating with his family.
UNDER 11s - Hogan Cup Quarter Finals:
YMCA 14 STAINING 1
YMCA proved far to superior against their lower league opponents. They dominated throughout and found themselves 8-1 up at half time with most of the goals coming about through excellent team moves. The outstanding Jack C scored twice after Shane D had netted the opener, while Johnny A, Christian H, Carl K, Chester D and Jack R also got on the scoresheet. In the second half YMCA began where they left off and added a further 6 goals. Jack C completed a hat trick, Chester D grabbed his second with the remaining goals coming from Jordan W, Conah B, Jordan M and James R.
UNDER 12s - Hogan Cup Quarter Finals :
SPIRIT OF YOUTH 1 YMCA 2
YMCA snatched a late victory to overcome a very plucky Spirit Of Youth side at a wind swept Common Edge Road on Sunday in the quarter finals of the Hogan Cup. YMCA started with the strong wind at their backs and took the lead when Jack D struck a stunning shot from 20 yards out. But Spirit defended well and broke away to score a deserved equaliser. Spirit started strongly in the second half and put sustained pressure on the YMCA defence. A fine save by Liam M kept YM in the game. With the clock ticking away and chances going begging at both ends, Jack D broke up field and skipped past two defenders and rounded the goalkeeper to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Linus W to head home. Ben C, Calvin R and Tyler D all impressed for YMCA in the second half.
UNDER 15s:
YMCA 11 BJFF 0
A spirited BJFF could not withstand this onslaught from league leaders YMCA at Seafield Road last Sunday. The home side played with confidence, pace and flair right from the kick off and were 4-0 up within the first 10 minutes. Josh V scored in the 1st min and this was closely followed by a goal from Alex G with Lloyd P scoring twice in the 7th and 10th minutes. Harry H then bagged a hat trick inside 15 minutes. A further goal from Lloyd P completed his hat trick to make it 8-0 at the break. BJFF stuck bravely to their task in the second half and restricting YMCA to just three further goals, a 4th of the game for Lloyd P and two more from Alex G to complete his hat trick also. This was an excellent team effort from YMCA for whom Harry H and Adam L were both particularly outstanding.
UNDER 16s: Hogan Cup Quarter Finals
CLIFTON RAN 4 YMCA 1
Just a month ago YMCA inflicted a 4-1 defeat on the league leaders but Rangers avenged that with a victory by an identical score-line in this Hogan Cup quarter final tie at Stanley Park last Sunday. The home side started brightly and went into a 2-0 lead but YMCA were given hope with a reply from the impressive Harry F to make it 2-1 at the break. However, Rangers regained the initiative in the 2nd half and added two more goals to comfortably seal victory and to clinch a place in the semi finals. YMCA’s Nathan A, who only arrived back from a holiday in the US on the morning of the game, was outstanding throughout.
UNDER 18s: LEP Youth Cup Semi Final
YMCA 4 NEW LONGTON ROV 0
This was arguably YMCA's most impressive performance of the season against title rivals New Longton at a blustery Preston Sports Arena last Sunday. They dominated the match from the 1st minute when a bursting run from YMCA's star man Scott H led to skipper Adam W heading narrowly over the crossbar. YMCA’s constant pressure eventually told in the 36th minute when Matty R broke quickly and found Whiteside who slipped the ball to strike partner Jordan D who spectacularly finished from 25yds. It remained 1-0 at the break and 8 mins after the restart the excellent Anthony S produced a pinpoint defence splitting pass to Whiteside who netted from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0. With 15 minutes remaining Max R made the game safe with YMCA's third, finishing from close range after a clever flick from Matty R and the scoring was rounded off in the 85th minute when Scott H deservedly scored from 10yds. In an excellent team performance all players deserve great credit, particularly the defensive three of Matt W, James I & Tom B plus keeper Rick H for keeping a clean sheet against quality opposition. The Final takes place at Bamber Bridge FC on Wednesday 2 April against First Division opponents Hesketh Bank.
GIRLS U13s:
YMCA 7 WILPSHIRE WAN 0
YMCA continued their excellent run with this comfortable victory in blustery conditions at Seafield Road last Sunday. As they dominated from the start Siobhan F bagged a hat trick before half time and this was added to by a strike by Lauren G. YMCA remained well in control in the second half and added further goals through Stephanie V, Evie M and Olivia T with Wilpshire scoring a consolation.
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