Our Titans under-16s boys triumphed 3-2 over their namesakes from Ramsbottom.
Coach Nathan said: “It was a good first half for the boys with two unreal outside of the box goals from Zach and Joe.
“We went into the break 2-0 up having put together some good passages of play. It was a tougher second half and we conceded twice from bad defending.
“There was a massive second half from our goalkeeper Huey, who made some amazing saves. One he tipped over the bar was De Gea-esque.
“We then got lucky with a handball in the last minute.Credit to Max for stepping up and delivering in a tense moment, slotting the penalty in the bottom left corner.”
Diamonds girls under-12s defeated Cherrybrook 5-2.
Coach Kris said: “It was a convincing win in the end after a first half we dominated, with Erin scoring a typical goal from an Eva pass.
“We should have scored more before we were pegged back with a freak own goal from a corner. We regained the lead with a brilliant Eva goal from a Maria corner and then Maria assisted again for Violette to slot in a third before half time.
“The key ask at half time was to have a bit more composure on the ball and this was particularly shown by the back three of Mia, Jeanette and Elsa.
“We got to a deserved 5-1 score line with the pick of the goals from parents’ player of the game Layla cutting in from the left after a great kick by Darci.
“Erin, my player of the game, grabbed her second from a fantastic Essie pass; following which we played some great football and Erin was unlucky not to complete her hat-trick after some smart play with her shot bouncing out from the upright.
“A lucky looped shot at the end made the score closer than the game showed. Mia was the players’ player of the game and Rowan chose Jeanette as his.”
The under-16s Phantoms boys also tasted victory, beating Radcliffe Borough 7-2.
Coach Marc said: “It was a brilliant start to 2026, having not played since early December, and was exactly what the boys needed after so many postponed matches.
“Right from the first whistle the boys got stuck in and took the game to Radcliffe. The passing was good, the movement tackling too.
“We looked strong in all areas of the pitch for most of the first half, playing some great football .
"Alex scored the first around 10 mins in from a really tight angle between the post and the keeper. Then Christian came off the bench and scored the second, with a sweet volley from the keepers clearance, to make it 2-0 at half-time.
“The second half we played even better and scored our third goal early on with an Isaac header from a Finn Mc corner.
“Radcliffe were awarded a penalty and managed to pull one back, but this only spurred us on again and we had a few more chances before Alex got his second to make it 4-1.
“We made a few changes and the boys carried on the same way and scored again. Rilley this time banging one in from the right. Then Radcliffe clawed another one back, making it 5-2.
"The sixth came from another great header from a corner this time from Reece, with the corner taken by Riley.
“Then with a couple of minutes to go Riley put the nail in the coffin with a brilliant long range strike.
"It was a great team result and a great game to watch too. Player of the game was between a handful of players but Isaac just pipped it. Also well done to Alex and Reece - they both played so well after returning from injury / operation.”
Panthers under-10s boys played an evenly contested encounter against B-Pro, with both sides showing determination and resilience.
Coach Ste said: “Rocco and Freddie kept B-Pro at bay while David’s new gloves helped keep everything out of the net.
“The breakthrough moment came in spectacular fashion during the first half. Awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, James stepped up and delivered a moment of pure brilliance with a thunderous strike that rocketed into the top corner, leaving the B-Pro keeper with no chance.
“B-Pro came out fighting in the second half and gradually built pressure. As the game grew tense, the Panthers’ work rate and teamwork stood out across the pitch.
“James, Enzo and Ollie were tracking back to support the defence during B-Pro’s pressure spells. Hudson showed real grit, repeatedly winning the ball back from the biggest player on the pitch in several key battles.
“In midfield, William continued his excellent run of form, dominating the centre of the park and keeping the team ticking.
“Up front, Ethan did a superb job holding the ball up as striker, bringing others into play and giving the Panthers a valuable outlet, while being unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
“With the last kick of the game, Jay (who was sent on with one instruction…to score) picked up the ball on the left, drove forward with intent, and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
"It was a thrilling, end-to-end match full of character, highlighted by James’ wonder strike and Jay’s last-gasp heroics, backed by tireless performances across the pitch.”
Hurricanes girls under-nines were unlucky in their game at Haslingden.
Coach Justin said: “It was end to end for most of the game, with Valeria scoring in the first half.
“It was like the Alamo in the last few minutes as we had three or four great chances. All-in-all it was a brilliant team performance, probably our best yet, and we couldn’t have been prouder of them.
“We’re holding our own in the top league and the competitive games are really bringing the best out of the girls.”
Jaguars under-10s boys took on Sapere Aude. The boys started slowly and found themselves chasing the game. They fought back brilliantly though, with Adam, James and Casper. It was a great test for the boys, and they showed good character.
Phoenix girls under-11s put in one of their best team performances of the season against Hindley Town.
Lois scored a brace, including a Cunha-esque second and was unfortunate not to score more after hitting the upright twice, while midfield partner Lola was player of the game for her assured display and some excellent interceptions.
Iris, playing in several roles, including an impressive stint in attacking midfield, scored the opener following a nice team move.
Adalind, again unlucky not to bag more, completed the scoring and worked hard up front throughout.
Isabella, as always, showed why she is one of, if not the best, keeper in the league with some outstanding stops and was excellent coming off her line.
Brooke battled a sore foot to rule the defensive roost on the right, with Blake, in front of her on the wing, looking more assured with every game.
Annabel again did multiple roles, defending the backline with her usual grit. Mia meanwhile showed her improving quality with some nice passes and was unlucky not to score when she created a last gasp chance all by herself.
April was up and down the left wing, equally attacking the visitors' defence, while next minute helping out her teammates as they stopped the counters.
Coach Brendan said: “We are really proud of how the girls played and approached the game, which at times was difficult.
“Each and every one of them played with skill and intensity. They put into practice what they worked on in training in the week, and really worked hard defensively as a whole team.”
Phoenix pictures by Brooke's mum Donna:
Coach Nathan said: “It was a good first half for the boys with two unreal outside of the box goals from Zach and Joe.
“We went into the break 2-0 up having put together some good passages of play. It was a tougher second half and we conceded twice from bad defending.
“There was a massive second half from our goalkeeper Huey, who made some amazing saves. One he tipped over the bar was De Gea-esque.
“We then got lucky with a handball in the last minute.Credit to Max for stepping up and delivering in a tense moment, slotting the penalty in the bottom left corner.”
Diamonds girls under-12s defeated Cherrybrook 5-2.
Coach Kris said: “It was a convincing win in the end after a first half we dominated, with Erin scoring a typical goal from an Eva pass.
“We should have scored more before we were pegged back with a freak own goal from a corner. We regained the lead with a brilliant Eva goal from a Maria corner and then Maria assisted again for Violette to slot in a third before half time.
“The key ask at half time was to have a bit more composure on the ball and this was particularly shown by the back three of Mia, Jeanette and Elsa.
“We got to a deserved 5-1 score line with the pick of the goals from parents’ player of the game Layla cutting in from the left after a great kick by Darci.
“Erin, my player of the game, grabbed her second from a fantastic Essie pass; following which we played some great football and Erin was unlucky not to complete her hat-trick after some smart play with her shot bouncing out from the upright.
“A lucky looped shot at the end made the score closer than the game showed. Mia was the players’ player of the game and Rowan chose Jeanette as his.”
The under-16s Phantoms boys also tasted victory, beating Radcliffe Borough 7-2.
Coach Marc said: “It was a brilliant start to 2026, having not played since early December, and was exactly what the boys needed after so many postponed matches.
“Right from the first whistle the boys got stuck in and took the game to Radcliffe. The passing was good, the movement tackling too.
“We looked strong in all areas of the pitch for most of the first half, playing some great football .
"Alex scored the first around 10 mins in from a really tight angle between the post and the keeper. Then Christian came off the bench and scored the second, with a sweet volley from the keepers clearance, to make it 2-0 at half-time.
“The second half we played even better and scored our third goal early on with an Isaac header from a Finn Mc corner.
“Radcliffe were awarded a penalty and managed to pull one back, but this only spurred us on again and we had a few more chances before Alex got his second to make it 4-1.
“We made a few changes and the boys carried on the same way and scored again. Rilley this time banging one in from the right. Then Radcliffe clawed another one back, making it 5-2.
"The sixth came from another great header from a corner this time from Reece, with the corner taken by Riley.
“Then with a couple of minutes to go Riley put the nail in the coffin with a brilliant long range strike.
"It was a great team result and a great game to watch too. Player of the game was between a handful of players but Isaac just pipped it. Also well done to Alex and Reece - they both played so well after returning from injury / operation.”
Panthers under-10s boys played an evenly contested encounter against B-Pro, with both sides showing determination and resilience.
Coach Ste said: “Rocco and Freddie kept B-Pro at bay while David’s new gloves helped keep everything out of the net.
“The breakthrough moment came in spectacular fashion during the first half. Awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, James stepped up and delivered a moment of pure brilliance with a thunderous strike that rocketed into the top corner, leaving the B-Pro keeper with no chance.
“B-Pro came out fighting in the second half and gradually built pressure. As the game grew tense, the Panthers’ work rate and teamwork stood out across the pitch.
“James, Enzo and Ollie were tracking back to support the defence during B-Pro’s pressure spells. Hudson showed real grit, repeatedly winning the ball back from the biggest player on the pitch in several key battles.
“In midfield, William continued his excellent run of form, dominating the centre of the park and keeping the team ticking.
“Up front, Ethan did a superb job holding the ball up as striker, bringing others into play and giving the Panthers a valuable outlet, while being unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
“With the last kick of the game, Jay (who was sent on with one instruction…to score) picked up the ball on the left, drove forward with intent, and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
"It was a thrilling, end-to-end match full of character, highlighted by James’ wonder strike and Jay’s last-gasp heroics, backed by tireless performances across the pitch.”
Hurricanes girls under-nines were unlucky in their game at Haslingden.
Coach Justin said: “It was end to end for most of the game, with Valeria scoring in the first half.
“It was like the Alamo in the last few minutes as we had three or four great chances. All-in-all it was a brilliant team performance, probably our best yet, and we couldn’t have been prouder of them.
“We’re holding our own in the top league and the competitive games are really bringing the best out of the girls.”
Jaguars under-10s boys took on Sapere Aude. The boys started slowly and found themselves chasing the game. They fought back brilliantly though, with Adam, James and Casper. It was a great test for the boys, and they showed good character.
Phoenix girls under-11s put in one of their best team performances of the season against Hindley Town.
Lois scored a brace, including a Cunha-esque second and was unfortunate not to score more after hitting the upright twice, while midfield partner Lola was player of the game for her assured display and some excellent interceptions.
Iris, playing in several roles, including an impressive stint in attacking midfield, scored the opener following a nice team move.
Adalind, again unlucky not to bag more, completed the scoring and worked hard up front throughout.
Isabella, as always, showed why she is one of, if not the best, keeper in the league with some outstanding stops and was excellent coming off her line.
Brooke battled a sore foot to rule the defensive roost on the right, with Blake, in front of her on the wing, looking more assured with every game.
Annabel again did multiple roles, defending the backline with her usual grit. Mia meanwhile showed her improving quality with some nice passes and was unlucky not to score when she created a last gasp chance all by herself.
April was up and down the left wing, equally attacking the visitors' defence, while next minute helping out her teammates as they stopped the counters.
Coach Brendan said: “We are really proud of how the girls played and approached the game, which at times was difficult.
“Each and every one of them played with skill and intensity. They put into practice what they worked on in training in the week, and really worked hard defensively as a whole team.”
Phoenix pictures by Brooke's mum Donna:
