Vikings under-11s boys stormed into the cup final with a 3-0 win over Pennine Blacks, meaning the lads can try and retain the trophy they won last season.
Coach Tom said: "It was a stunning performance from the boys. Our defence was absolute top class, not much got past them, with great interceptions, blocks and tackles limiting the opponents' chances.
"When they did create chances Rocco and Shaun commanded the box and made brilliant saves. Our midfield ran from start to finish and didn't give Pennine any time on the ball. We were dominate and played some great passes to create chances for our forwards.
"We took the lead with a quality finish from Seb in the first half. Aidan added two in the second period - his first was a brilliant finish when through one on one with their keeper. His second was as calm as ever, taking a touch round the keeper to finish nicely.
"The boys were so disciplined and did not let anything get to them - they just concentrated on their football. Now we are one game away from retaining the cup.
"We couldn't split Aidan and Seb for player of the game, so they both deserved it. They were both calm and collected in front of goal and did some great pressing which put their defence under pressure and forced mistakes."
Meanwhile, our under-11s girls, Diamonds, put in a performance that had coach Mark proud of his troops as they battled a good Collyhurst outfit.
Mark said: "Collyhurst have only lost once all season and we really took the game to them, particularly in the first half - I thought we were in total control.
"Sadly we conceded soft goals right at the break. The first coming from a mix up on the goal kick, the other came from a debatable free kick right from the kick off.
"Our half time team talk was one of our most positive ones yet as we pressed home the point about ignoring the score, keeping our heads up and playing more of the same.
"Early in the second half, Diamonds were awarded a free kick, Maria stepped up and struck the ball cleanly, it squirmed under the goalie's body and we were convinced it went over the line, but the ref didn’t award the goal.
"Our eagerness to chase the game left some gaps in the pitch which the opposition exploited to hit us on the counter. But I walked away with a smile on my face and took pride in a very good team performance and I hope the girls did too, because I thought we were very good.
"There were three very proud coaches after that performance. Frankie was parents' player of the game, with another standout showing at centre half, reading the game really well at the back.
"Craig's player of the game was Maria, who really took the game to Collyhurst from an attacking midfield position and was always willing to drop deeper too, when we were countered.
"My player of the game was Essi - going off her exceptional performance you’d never believe it was her first ever game between the sticks, but it was. Like Lexi earlier in the season, Essi showed her commitment as a team player as she donned the gloves and then performed superbly."
Jaguars under-nines boys helped their opponents Sapere Aude to field a team by agreeing they could play boys from a year older.
Coach Tim said: "We expected a difficult game and thought it would be a good test of our lads. It was a competitive match played in a great spirit. James scored a thunderbolt and in the second half Ned released Riley, whose pace took him through on goal and his finish was great.
"Gabriel was player of the match, typifying the team's brave performance against a physical and much bigger team."
Phoenix under-10s girls were involved in a thriller with old friends Ladybridge Wanderers at St Mary's Park.
It was a wonderful game of high quality passing from both sides. Coach Brendan said: "The girls should be very proud of themselves and how they played. They listened really well to the instructions beforehand and immediately from the kick off played with pace and intensity. Some of the passing and movement was a joy to watch.
"Isabella made a number of outstanding saves, but the pick of the bunch was a frankly ridiculous save in the last minute. Orlaith was strong in the tackle, covered her partner in defence and started the move for our opening goal with a lovely composed pass out of defence.
"Grace did not put a foot wrong in the first half. She made a couple of trademark crunching tackles, but also looked up to play the ball out of defence. Aoife made some crucial last minute tackles and put in a real shift.
"Annabel played two positions - midfield and defence - and did both superbly. In midfield in the first half, her strong running and ball winning really helped the team dominate.
"Noe's jinking runs on the left wing were absolutely superb. As usual she never stopped running and constantly offered herself as an outlet for a pass. She was unlucky not to score with a fabulous run and shot.
"Iris won the ball from the opposition within 10 seconds of kick off and that set the tone for the team for the game. She worked superbly to track opposition attacks and was a great outlet to relieve pressure on the right wing.
"Lois starred with her best performance for some time. She didn’t stop running and her movement and top corner finish for our first goal were so good. She was unlucky not to add to her goal count with some more long range efforts.
"Miya showed some really lovely touches and footwork playing up front. She was always looking to link play and contributed to some great team moves. She capped a very strong performance with a lovely finish for her first goal for the club.
"Summer played with pace and intensity and was really strong all game. She capped a player of the game performance with three goals. She looked up and always took the correct option."
Coach Tom said: "It was a stunning performance from the boys. Our defence was absolute top class, not much got past them, with great interceptions, blocks and tackles limiting the opponents' chances.
"When they did create chances Rocco and Shaun commanded the box and made brilliant saves. Our midfield ran from start to finish and didn't give Pennine any time on the ball. We were dominate and played some great passes to create chances for our forwards.
"We took the lead with a quality finish from Seb in the first half. Aidan added two in the second period - his first was a brilliant finish when through one on one with their keeper. His second was as calm as ever, taking a touch round the keeper to finish nicely.
"The boys were so disciplined and did not let anything get to them - they just concentrated on their football. Now we are one game away from retaining the cup.
"We couldn't split Aidan and Seb for player of the game, so they both deserved it. They were both calm and collected in front of goal and did some great pressing which put their defence under pressure and forced mistakes."
Meanwhile, our under-11s girls, Diamonds, put in a performance that had coach Mark proud of his troops as they battled a good Collyhurst outfit.
Mark said: "Collyhurst have only lost once all season and we really took the game to them, particularly in the first half - I thought we were in total control.
"Sadly we conceded soft goals right at the break. The first coming from a mix up on the goal kick, the other came from a debatable free kick right from the kick off.
"Our half time team talk was one of our most positive ones yet as we pressed home the point about ignoring the score, keeping our heads up and playing more of the same.
"Early in the second half, Diamonds were awarded a free kick, Maria stepped up and struck the ball cleanly, it squirmed under the goalie's body and we were convinced it went over the line, but the ref didn’t award the goal.
"Our eagerness to chase the game left some gaps in the pitch which the opposition exploited to hit us on the counter. But I walked away with a smile on my face and took pride in a very good team performance and I hope the girls did too, because I thought we were very good.
"There were three very proud coaches after that performance. Frankie was parents' player of the game, with another standout showing at centre half, reading the game really well at the back.
"Craig's player of the game was Maria, who really took the game to Collyhurst from an attacking midfield position and was always willing to drop deeper too, when we were countered.
"My player of the game was Essi - going off her exceptional performance you’d never believe it was her first ever game between the sticks, but it was. Like Lexi earlier in the season, Essi showed her commitment as a team player as she donned the gloves and then performed superbly."
Jaguars under-nines boys helped their opponents Sapere Aude to field a team by agreeing they could play boys from a year older.
Coach Tim said: "We expected a difficult game and thought it would be a good test of our lads. It was a competitive match played in a great spirit. James scored a thunderbolt and in the second half Ned released Riley, whose pace took him through on goal and his finish was great.
"Gabriel was player of the match, typifying the team's brave performance against a physical and much bigger team."
Phoenix under-10s girls were involved in a thriller with old friends Ladybridge Wanderers at St Mary's Park.
It was a wonderful game of high quality passing from both sides. Coach Brendan said: "The girls should be very proud of themselves and how they played. They listened really well to the instructions beforehand and immediately from the kick off played with pace and intensity. Some of the passing and movement was a joy to watch.
"Isabella made a number of outstanding saves, but the pick of the bunch was a frankly ridiculous save in the last minute. Orlaith was strong in the tackle, covered her partner in defence and started the move for our opening goal with a lovely composed pass out of defence.
"Grace did not put a foot wrong in the first half. She made a couple of trademark crunching tackles, but also looked up to play the ball out of defence. Aoife made some crucial last minute tackles and put in a real shift.
"Annabel played two positions - midfield and defence - and did both superbly. In midfield in the first half, her strong running and ball winning really helped the team dominate.
"Noe's jinking runs on the left wing were absolutely superb. As usual she never stopped running and constantly offered herself as an outlet for a pass. She was unlucky not to score with a fabulous run and shot.
"Iris won the ball from the opposition within 10 seconds of kick off and that set the tone for the team for the game. She worked superbly to track opposition attacks and was a great outlet to relieve pressure on the right wing.
"Lois starred with her best performance for some time. She didn’t stop running and her movement and top corner finish for our first goal were so good. She was unlucky not to add to her goal count with some more long range efforts.
"Miya showed some really lovely touches and footwork playing up front. She was always looking to link play and contributed to some great team moves. She capped a very strong performance with a lovely finish for her first goal for the club.
"Summer played with pace and intensity and was really strong all game. She capped a player of the game performance with three goals. She looked up and always took the correct option."
