Our teams signed off for Christmas with their final matches of the year.

Wolves under-11s boys put in a top performance against Blackley Lions.

Coach Lee said: “There was moments of control and a seesaw, knife edge period, but ultimately class shone through and the quality of our performance was enough.

“Well done to our very own Harry the Hammer, absolutely nailed his goals - five absolute raspers.

“There were many good performances. Alexander led the back line well, flanked by some brilliant displays from Arron and Daniel. In midfield Max W was at his tormenting best, and we lost count of the amount of slalom runs he did.

“Harrison also put in a solid performance whilst Teddy, Elliott and Flynn provided some really good width. It was one of Teddy's best games this season.

“But the player of the match belonged to Thomas as he stepped up to fill Rory's gloves in goal. He made some outstanding saves, and came in from the cold to play in goal after playing pretty much outfield for most of the season was no easy feat and he deputised superbly.

“We are looking forward to the next half of the season to see the lads kicking on into 2026.”

Diamonds under-12s girls will go into the New Year having won every game of their season to date, following a 3-0 success at North Walkden.

Coach Mark said: “It was a real test and proper battle where I never felt comfortable until the final five minutes.

“In previous encounters with North Walkden we’ve won really comfortably by large scores but we faced a different animal today, strong and aggressive, they were determined to put up a much better fist of it.

“At training on Wednesday I thought Christmas fever had got hold of the girls early and they were more interested in messing about, and I think the match proved the old adage “train well, play well” and I reminded the girls after the session.

“North Walkden was without doubt our most difficult test this season and we just didn’t gell like we usually do. However, on the flip side, all the best teams have off-days and to still come out winners with another clean sheet shows a real winning mentality.

“There were actually some really good individual performances, superb touches and great footwork on show and in patches some nice ‘team football’.

“Me being this critical after an away win and a clean sheet shows how high the girls have set the bar with their performances. I suspect we’ll be back to our very best in the New Year.

“Parents player of the game was Maria, she scored a well taken goal and gave a real physical display looking to make things happen.

“Craig’s player of the game was captain Violette. She is a manager’s dream, with her commitment and will to win. She topped off her performance with a goal and an assist.

“Kris’ players of the game were Elsa and Frankie. Kris said he couldn’t split them. Both were absolute monsters at the back and gave the opposition nothing.

“My players of the game were the whole team. While, as stated, it was not our best team performance, I gave it the whole group, firstly for putting up with me and secondly for their efforts up to this point of the season and lastly for getting the job done on Sunday.”

Phantoms under-16s boys were unlucky in their 2-3 defeat at Dynamos.

Coach Marc said: “Lack of communication and poor tackling led to them breaking through and scoring too easily, which led to our downfall.

“Once we woke up we played much better football and looked the better team from then on.

“Dynamos managed to score again around 20 minutes in, but we fought on and pulled one back through Elliot, with one of his signature shots curling it in, up and over the keeper.

“Then Noah got us back in contention scoring a well struck volley from a corner, leaving us just one adrift at the break.

“The second half we bossed the game passing the ball around better, but we unfortunately gave away a penalty. Matheusz miraculously saved it and kept us in the game.

“After that we had waves of attacks and looked like scoring four or five, but just couldn’t get the ball over the line, hitting the post, the crossbar and putting two narrowly wide.

“It was frustrating to watch from the sideline but luck just wasn’t with us. It was a brilliant finish to the game for the lads after such a bad start but that’s football for you.

“The game was probably lost in those first 10 minutes but they battled on and deserved a draw at least.

“It was great to see Steve back and to hear his voice behind us. Player of the game was Finn C, who had a great match at the back.”

Phoenix under-11s girls battled the driving rain, as well as their opponents Little Lever, in another impressive display.

Player of the game Iris got the scoring underway for the visitors, with a well taken shot with her supposedly weaker left peg.

Her disciplined display in the first half helped shut down the home side's main threat out wide, while she also looked to be positive on the ball.

Lois got her customary notch with a nice finish into the bottom corner, before Noe scored a goal of the season contender with a volley that bounced in off the cross bar and into the roof of the net.

Lola had the final say with a caressed left foot beauty from the edge of the box, which topped another mature performance in the midfield holding role.

April battled hard and was unfortunate not to score after a wonderful first touch set her free on goal, only for the ref to pull play back for... an untied shoelace.

Annabel was rock solid, winning her 1v1 duals and protecting the backline with aplomb.

Adalind may have had a rare blank in front of goal, but she took up great positions, creating space for her teammates and showed how much her overall game awareness is improving match-by-match.

Defenders Mia and Brooke made crucial challenges, covered for each other and always looked to jump forward to intercept and pass when opportunities arose.

Imperious Isabella in goal once again showed why she is one of the best in the league. Despite the incessant precipitation making handling tricky, the ball seemingly stuck to her gloves and her kicking on a smaller than normal pitch was a real weapon.

Panthers under-10s boys played six-aside against Mountfield.

Coach Ste said: “Both teams started fast, with chances created at both ends. The breakthrough for the Panthers came from William when he slotted from close range.

“At half time we talked about maintaining concentration after we have scored and the boys definitely took it on board. 

“James scored another close range tap in. The game was competitive all over and Ethan got on the scoresheet to give us something to protect. 

“Mountfield upped the intensity but the boys responded, winning tackles all over the pitch and constantly playing the ball forwards. 

“James got on the end of a fantastic ball from Jay on the right to give us some breathing space and now they were enjoying the battle. 

“Ethan got a well deserved second before perhaps the standout moment from Enzo, where he slammed an arrow-like shot from wide on the left into the bottom corner. Player of the match went to Enzo who was fantastic throughout.”