Two of our teams had contrasting cup experiences this weekend, as Hurricanes won through to a final and the battling Vikings missed out on silverware.
Hurricanes under-eights girls (pictured) beat Manchester Girls Dreams 2-1, with Marnie grabbing a brace in a tough game.
Coach Pete said: "We had to have a lie down after this one. It was a physical and tense game in an environment our girls are far from used to. The pitch was very tight with boards instead of touchlines, the girls had no breaks, and the goals were really wide and low. Added to those different conditions we faced a very competitive team and some lively parents.
"We were 1-0 down and I said to them before the last quarter that I was proud of every single one of them for how they played and to enjoy the last 10 minutes regardless. What a way to finish though, from 1-0 down to 2-1 in the last five. Marnie scored one goal straight from a corner and a winning free-kick. Onto the final on 1 June."
Meanwhile, Vikings under-11s boys came up short in their final against Unsworth Lions.
Coach Tom said: "You could tell from the first whistle there were nerves, and that was to be expected. There was not much football being played in the first 15 mins or so, with loose passes and balls bouncing off shins from both teams.
"Unsworth took the lead when their striker ran through on goal after a brilliant assist from their left winger. The flag went up for offside, but the ref didn't give it. The lads' heads went a little after this and you could see and hear they were angry with the referee.
"In the second half we where much better and creating more chances but we just couldn't finish them off on this occasion. We then went 0-2 down after their very talented winger cut in from the left and pulled off a rocket of a shot into the top corner - it was an outstanding finish no keeper would have got to.
"We kept going and had a lot more of the ball. We won a penalty when Georgie was brought down as he went to shoot and Jenson finished brilliantly to get us back into the game. But, unfortunately, time ran out and it wasn't to be. Well done to Unsworth Lions.
"We are all very proud of the boys not just for the final, but for the season on the whole. It's been an absolute pleasure coaching and getting to watch them play brilliant football week in week out."
Jaguars under-nines boys enjoyed their penultimate league game of the season against Sapere Aude.
Coach Tim said: "Ned won a free kick on the left and curled it into the top corner with such power it bounced back out. The second half was dominated by the Jaguars, with the defence of Stanley and Gabriel ensuring a strong foundation. Connell and Flynn went close but the boys left it late, with Muhammed bursting through to latch on to a pass from James, before finishing decisively."
Phoenix under-10s girls were praised by opposition coaches for the quality of their passing in their game at Little Lever Lionesses.
Coach Brendan said: "The girls played some fantastic football. Their passing and interplay at the top of the pitch was really good, with the opposition coaches saying to me afterwards how impressed they were."
Player of the game was Aoife, who showed her best qualities with some excellent defending and constant running - all done with a big smile on her face.
Iris won plaudits for bravely donning the gloves after Phoenix's usual number one Isabella went down with a bug. Her save in the first minute drew comparisons with David De Gea.
Lois scored the pick of Marauders' four goals, chasing a long ball down and out-muscling a defender, before smashing it into the top corner, in what coach Brendan dubbed 'goal of the season.'
The other goals were scored by the effervescent Miya, who got a brace, and Summer who added to her impressive haul for the campaign.
Diamonds under-11s girls continued their good form at Roach Dynamos.
Coach Mark said: "I thought we were poor in the warm up and started slowly but once we grew into the game we dictated play. Violette came off the bench to put us ahead going into the break but in truth it should’ve been more.
"While the opposition had a couple of willing runners who put in serious shifts, our midfield and defence restricted them to just a few efforts which keeper Darci dealt with comfortably - she also came off her line well all match.
"In the second half playing up the hill, I lost count of the number of shots we got off but there was some very good goalkeeping and brave blocks from the home side.
"Then disaster, a mix up on a goal kick led to us conceding against the run of play. This is where the true character of a team comes to light and thankfully the Diamonds are made of the good stuff and rolled their sleeves up and pushed on.
"There was not long left on the clock when Maria got on the ball after a lovely passage of play and she gave their exceptional keeper no chance with a lovely strike.
"The parents chose Violette as player of the game - she was top class throughout. The guest granddad player of the game award went to Frankie, who had another stand-out performance at the back.
"Kris picked out Maria, for her strong and powerful play and always looking to make something happen from deep. My player of the game was Erin. She pulled the opposition back line all over the place and was always looking for the midfield runner."
Hurricanes under-eights girls (pictured) beat Manchester Girls Dreams 2-1, with Marnie grabbing a brace in a tough game.
Coach Pete said: "We had to have a lie down after this one. It was a physical and tense game in an environment our girls are far from used to. The pitch was very tight with boards instead of touchlines, the girls had no breaks, and the goals were really wide and low. Added to those different conditions we faced a very competitive team and some lively parents.
"We were 1-0 down and I said to them before the last quarter that I was proud of every single one of them for how they played and to enjoy the last 10 minutes regardless. What a way to finish though, from 1-0 down to 2-1 in the last five. Marnie scored one goal straight from a corner and a winning free-kick. Onto the final on 1 June."
Meanwhile, Vikings under-11s boys came up short in their final against Unsworth Lions.
Coach Tom said: "You could tell from the first whistle there were nerves, and that was to be expected. There was not much football being played in the first 15 mins or so, with loose passes and balls bouncing off shins from both teams.
"Unsworth took the lead when their striker ran through on goal after a brilliant assist from their left winger. The flag went up for offside, but the ref didn't give it. The lads' heads went a little after this and you could see and hear they were angry with the referee.
"In the second half we where much better and creating more chances but we just couldn't finish them off on this occasion. We then went 0-2 down after their very talented winger cut in from the left and pulled off a rocket of a shot into the top corner - it was an outstanding finish no keeper would have got to.
"We kept going and had a lot more of the ball. We won a penalty when Georgie was brought down as he went to shoot and Jenson finished brilliantly to get us back into the game. But, unfortunately, time ran out and it wasn't to be. Well done to Unsworth Lions.
"We are all very proud of the boys not just for the final, but for the season on the whole. It's been an absolute pleasure coaching and getting to watch them play brilliant football week in week out."
Jaguars under-nines boys enjoyed their penultimate league game of the season against Sapere Aude.
Coach Tim said: "Ned won a free kick on the left and curled it into the top corner with such power it bounced back out. The second half was dominated by the Jaguars, with the defence of Stanley and Gabriel ensuring a strong foundation. Connell and Flynn went close but the boys left it late, with Muhammed bursting through to latch on to a pass from James, before finishing decisively."
Phoenix under-10s girls were praised by opposition coaches for the quality of their passing in their game at Little Lever Lionesses.
Coach Brendan said: "The girls played some fantastic football. Their passing and interplay at the top of the pitch was really good, with the opposition coaches saying to me afterwards how impressed they were."
Player of the game was Aoife, who showed her best qualities with some excellent defending and constant running - all done with a big smile on her face.
Iris won plaudits for bravely donning the gloves after Phoenix's usual number one Isabella went down with a bug. Her save in the first minute drew comparisons with David De Gea.
Lois scored the pick of Marauders' four goals, chasing a long ball down and out-muscling a defender, before smashing it into the top corner, in what coach Brendan dubbed 'goal of the season.'
The other goals were scored by the effervescent Miya, who got a brace, and Summer who added to her impressive haul for the campaign.
Diamonds under-11s girls continued their good form at Roach Dynamos.
Coach Mark said: "I thought we were poor in the warm up and started slowly but once we grew into the game we dictated play. Violette came off the bench to put us ahead going into the break but in truth it should’ve been more.
"While the opposition had a couple of willing runners who put in serious shifts, our midfield and defence restricted them to just a few efforts which keeper Darci dealt with comfortably - she also came off her line well all match.
"In the second half playing up the hill, I lost count of the number of shots we got off but there was some very good goalkeeping and brave blocks from the home side.
"Then disaster, a mix up on a goal kick led to us conceding against the run of play. This is where the true character of a team comes to light and thankfully the Diamonds are made of the good stuff and rolled their sleeves up and pushed on.
"There was not long left on the clock when Maria got on the ball after a lovely passage of play and she gave their exceptional keeper no chance with a lovely strike.
"The parents chose Violette as player of the game - she was top class throughout. The guest granddad player of the game award went to Frankie, who had another stand-out performance at the back.
"Kris picked out Maria, for her strong and powerful play and always looking to make something happen from deep. My player of the game was Erin. She pulled the opposition back line all over the place and was always looking for the midfield runner."
