Jaguars under-nines boys are into their MYSL final after a 3-1 victory over Rochdalians Panthers.
Coach Tim said: "Jaguars put in a great performance. Ned opened the scoring from a great delivery from a corner. This seemed to create a false sense of security in the team, with Rochdalians growing into the game and equalising with a spectacular shot.
"However, Riley restored the lead before half time with a smart turn and finish in the box. In the second half, the Jaguars barely gave the opposition a sniff and should have been out of sight but the game remained in the balance until Flynn, put through on goal, was fouled and James blasted the free kick over the wall and into the roof of the net. A well deserved win and into the Champions Cup final we go."
Fellow under-nines boys Panthers were also in cup action. They went down 1-2 against B-Pro but had a lot to be proud of.
Coach Ste said: "We weren't ourselves in the first half and weren’t winning the duals like they we been in the last few weeks. B-Pro were playing some nice football, but Freddie and Rocco were making some great tackles in defence.
"B-Pro got their reward as they broke through our midfield in numbers and were able to convert two chances during the later stages of the first half. The Panthers knew they needed to do more running and play better passes to get back into it and they started the second half much better.
"We started to win more possession and the majority of the second half was played in their half. Panthers got their reward when Jay took a quick kick-in to himself and crossed the ball across the face of goal, which was turned in by a B-Pro defender.
"Panthers were growing in confidence despite still not playing the flowing football of recent weeks. We did think we were level with five minutes to go as Oliver was fouled as he drove forward but he managed to get to his feet, beat a defender and score however as he celebrated the ref brought it back for our free kick
"We had a couple of chances in the final few minutes but it wasn’t our day. The lads were all gutted at the end which shows how much it means to them, but at the same time they should all be proud of themselves. Player of the match went to William for his constant battling and trying to drive us forward."
Hurricanes under-eights girls enjoyed another highly competitive game in the Bury and Bolton District Football League (BBDFL) against Astley Bridge Possums.
Coach Justin said: "Alma was in net for the first half and didn’t let us down, before moving into defence in the second half and being her usual proactive self.
"Siana had another enterprising game outfield in the first half, playing some lovely passes before going back in net for the second half and doing well. Marnie shook off an injury to play another great game in midfield, playing some cracking passes and bravely challenging for everything.
Coach Tim said: "Jaguars put in a great performance. Ned opened the scoring from a great delivery from a corner. This seemed to create a false sense of security in the team, with Rochdalians growing into the game and equalising with a spectacular shot.
"However, Riley restored the lead before half time with a smart turn and finish in the box. In the second half, the Jaguars barely gave the opposition a sniff and should have been out of sight but the game remained in the balance until Flynn, put through on goal, was fouled and James blasted the free kick over the wall and into the roof of the net. A well deserved win and into the Champions Cup final we go."
Fellow under-nines boys Panthers were also in cup action. They went down 1-2 against B-Pro but had a lot to be proud of.
Coach Ste said: "We weren't ourselves in the first half and weren’t winning the duals like they we been in the last few weeks. B-Pro were playing some nice football, but Freddie and Rocco were making some great tackles in defence.
"B-Pro got their reward as they broke through our midfield in numbers and were able to convert two chances during the later stages of the first half. The Panthers knew they needed to do more running and play better passes to get back into it and they started the second half much better.
"We started to win more possession and the majority of the second half was played in their half. Panthers got their reward when Jay took a quick kick-in to himself and crossed the ball across the face of goal, which was turned in by a B-Pro defender.
"Panthers were growing in confidence despite still not playing the flowing football of recent weeks. We did think we were level with five minutes to go as Oliver was fouled as he drove forward but he managed to get to his feet, beat a defender and score however as he celebrated the ref brought it back for our free kick
"We had a couple of chances in the final few minutes but it wasn’t our day. The lads were all gutted at the end which shows how much it means to them, but at the same time they should all be proud of themselves. Player of the match went to William for his constant battling and trying to drive us forward."
Hurricanes under-eights girls enjoyed another highly competitive game in the Bury and Bolton District Football League (BBDFL) against Astley Bridge Possums.
Coach Justin said: "Alma was in net for the first half and didn’t let us down, before moving into defence in the second half and being her usual proactive self.
"Siana had another enterprising game outfield in the first half, playing some lovely passes before going back in net for the second half and doing well. Marnie shook off an injury to play another great game in midfield, playing some cracking passes and bravely challenging for everything.
"Violet was everywhere on the pitch as usual, and had her persistence rewarded with a goal as well playing some lovely football. Betsy bossed the defence again, nullifying the opposition threat and playing some great passes before a spell upfront at the end of the game.
"Olivia played some cute passes and showed some great technical skills, and covered a lot of ground. Emily also ran her heart out, constantly running at the opposition but remembering her defensive duties as well.
"Matilda defended from the front as usual, chasing the opposition and carved out a couple of openings herself. Lyla scored the goal of the game, a brilliant run and finish to put the exclamation point on a great all action display.
"Olivia played some cute passes and showed some great technical skills, and covered a lot of ground. Emily also ran her heart out, constantly running at the opposition but remembering her defensive duties as well.
"Matilda defended from the front as usual, chasing the opposition and carved out a couple of openings herself. Lyla scored the goal of the game, a brilliant run and finish to put the exclamation point on a great all action display.
"Rene was our player of the match this week for a faultless display in defence, winning literally every tackle and intercepting every ball. We’re in a good run of form at the moment and next up is the cup as we return to St Mary’s Park (SMP) on Sunday chasing trophies."
Vikings under-11s boys were involved in a cliched game of two halves in their encounter at SMP against Bacup Borough.
Coach Tom said: "I thought we were right up for it, and it was going to be another great morning after Chappy almost scored a worldy after a minute. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. We really didn't turn up in the first half.
"There was a bit of a riot act given to the boys at half-time, asking for more urgency, more fight and for them to be more vocal.
"The second half was much, much better. We were more competitive, winning more of the second balls and having more chances. We scored a brilliant goal with Aidan playing a superb cross into the box, and Jenson timed his run perfectly and finished first time. We were back in the game but unfortunately, with almost the last kick of the game, they got us on the break. So tough on the boys, but we go again, and they should all be proud of the battling spirit they showed.
"Player of the match was Harry with yet another outstanding performance. He never fails to turn up week on week. I lost count of the number of perfectly timed tackles he made. It was an absolute joy to watch him running towards our goal with the opponent, before winning the ball."
Coach Tom said: "I thought we were right up for it, and it was going to be another great morning after Chappy almost scored a worldy after a minute. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. We really didn't turn up in the first half.
"There was a bit of a riot act given to the boys at half-time, asking for more urgency, more fight and for them to be more vocal.
"The second half was much, much better. We were more competitive, winning more of the second balls and having more chances. We scored a brilliant goal with Aidan playing a superb cross into the box, and Jenson timed his run perfectly and finished first time. We were back in the game but unfortunately, with almost the last kick of the game, they got us on the break. So tough on the boys, but we go again, and they should all be proud of the battling spirit they showed.
"Player of the match was Harry with yet another outstanding performance. He never fails to turn up week on week. I lost count of the number of perfectly timed tackles he made. It was an absolute joy to watch him running towards our goal with the opponent, before winning the ball."
Cheetahs under-12s girls had a point to prove in their game at SMP against Wigan Purple Empresses.
Having lost in the reverse fixture, the girls were up for the battle against visitors who set up with three up front, which seemed to throw Cheetahs a bit.
Coach Alex said: "Belle and AJ were Marauders' stand in keepers - and the coaches made sure how much their voluntary efforts were appreciated in what is one of the most difficult positions to play.
"The girls conceded a scrappy goal in the opening minute which did not help calm the nerves, with a lot of pressure following with corner after corner and only a few attacking opportunities.
"Eventually Summer picked up the ball from an opposition corner on the near post and took it down the wing, she took it all the way, came inside and fired it past the keeper for an excellent equaliser and contender for goal of the season.
"This did have an effect and confidence came with our midfield doing a fantastic job through Sylvie, Flora (who had some outstanding touches), with Orlaith, Neyva, Lola all rotating in and following the script of getting up the pitch. Cece and Aoife were both unlucky in the first half not to get a goal and we went into the break at 1-1.
"On 33 minutes a quick corner from Sylvie knocked into a dangerous area and the ball was deftly kneed into the back of the net by Aoife who was in the perfect position to make it 2-1. The scoreline finished this way despite many more chances for both sides.
"We have to give a special mention for the defence who had a lot to do. Charlotte and Pearl on the right and left were on top of every ball. Summer dropping in, Belle, AJ and Orlaith all taking a turn and Katy all soaking up pressure from a physical side was a joy to see.
"Player of the game from the opposition's coaches was Sylvie and PMFC coaches chose Summer. The three points moved us above Wigan into 6th and we could possibly be back to 4th depending on other results. In our first competitive season playing up a league this is a really huge achievement and we are hoping for a strong finish to the season aided by a move to training at SMP from April."
Having lost in the reverse fixture, the girls were up for the battle against visitors who set up with three up front, which seemed to throw Cheetahs a bit.
Coach Alex said: "Belle and AJ were Marauders' stand in keepers - and the coaches made sure how much their voluntary efforts were appreciated in what is one of the most difficult positions to play.
"The girls conceded a scrappy goal in the opening minute which did not help calm the nerves, with a lot of pressure following with corner after corner and only a few attacking opportunities.
"Eventually Summer picked up the ball from an opposition corner on the near post and took it down the wing, she took it all the way, came inside and fired it past the keeper for an excellent equaliser and contender for goal of the season.
"This did have an effect and confidence came with our midfield doing a fantastic job through Sylvie, Flora (who had some outstanding touches), with Orlaith, Neyva, Lola all rotating in and following the script of getting up the pitch. Cece and Aoife were both unlucky in the first half not to get a goal and we went into the break at 1-1.
"On 33 minutes a quick corner from Sylvie knocked into a dangerous area and the ball was deftly kneed into the back of the net by Aoife who was in the perfect position to make it 2-1. The scoreline finished this way despite many more chances for both sides.
"We have to give a special mention for the defence who had a lot to do. Charlotte and Pearl on the right and left were on top of every ball. Summer dropping in, Belle, AJ and Orlaith all taking a turn and Katy all soaking up pressure from a physical side was a joy to see.
"Player of the game from the opposition's coaches was Sylvie and PMFC coaches chose Summer. The three points moved us above Wigan into 6th and we could possibly be back to 4th depending on other results. In our first competitive season playing up a league this is a really huge achievement and we are hoping for a strong finish to the season aided by a move to training at SMP from April."
Diamonds under-11 girls drew a rare blank in their match Rainford.
Coach Mark said: "We made a slow start against a technically superb Rainford. I thought we really grew into the half and for the second week in a row we were denied what we felt was another clear cut penalty.
"We finished the half in the ascendancy and I thought we could go into the second half and take control, but all credit to the opposition who exploited the space we left when we tried to force the play and passed the ball well and always had a player available to receive the ball.
"I thought our performance was very much Groundhog Day from the last couple of weeks, with a lack of composure at times and struggling with our first touch leading to a panicked second.
"It was a very rare occasion in that we didn't score. I can’t remember the last time it happened, Erin drew couple of very good saves off the keeper and Maria whistled a couple just wide but alas it was not to be.
"The parents player of the game was Mia who was superb at the back and looked a real classy footballer. My player of the game was Francesca, who in only her second stint in defence put in another top performance."
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