Formby junior football club - Frank's report

After three long months without the beautiful game, football at last returned last weekend much to the delight of all Formby Junior Sports Club’s members and their parents.

The weather could not have been better with sunshine and blue skies. Boys immediately renewed their friendships with teammates not seen for many weeks and parents were quick to chat, at a social distance, with friends in some cases not seen since before Christmas. Believe it or not some even wished each other a Happy New Year - it was that long ago.

INTER CLUB FOOTBALL

Inter Club on Saturday was very well attended and many new boys came along to join in. All the new recruits, many as young as four years of age seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience and it is hoped that they return again next Saturday. The combination of excellent coaching sessions followed by friendly games went well and was well received in all age groups.

It was a very busy first week back and not all the names of the scorers were recorded. Saturday’s scorers included– Jacob Givin, Harrison Weir, Jacob Gadsby, Joel Wright, Huey Stevenson, Jack Williams, Ethan Richmond, Olly Dean, Abe Rice and Charlie Knowles.

New boys in all Inter Club year groups wishing to come along next Saturday will be most welcome and present members are encouraged to invite friends along. The more the merrier. Parents wishing more information and would like to book a place can email Frank Rourke at stellathecat4@gmail.com or can read more about FJSC by clicking on the club website – formbyjuniorsportsclub.co.uk

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 10TH APRIL AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS.

9.45am. Year 5/6

10.30am. Four-year-olds

10.30am. Reception

10.30am. Year 1

10.30am. Year 3/4

11.15am. Year 2

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM FOOTBALL

Some of FJSC’s Representative teams also played during the Easter weekend and again it was great to see these teams back in action.

On Saturday FJSC Under 11’s hit the ground running with a very good team performance against South Sefton Patriots in the Hightown League. Against the run of play the South Sefton took the lead but FJSC equalised shortly afterwards and then went ahead before half time. FJSC hit top form after the break and extended their lead with some excellently made team goals and some spectacular individual efforts as well. The Under 11’s scorers were Luca Massey, Harrison

McGrath, Max Ryan, Berat Ulusoy, Freddie Garvey and Callum Gray. Man of the match was Harrison McGrath.

FJSC Under 10 Blacks played Crosby Stuart. It was a tight first half with few chances for either team. The Blacks began to exert some pressure towards the end of the half with a couple of free kicks and a corner. It was the corner that was taken by Bobby Marshall that resulted in the first goal of the match with a clever close- range finish from Lewis Donoghue.

The second half continued in a similar manner but Crosby who were looking for the equaliser began to push FJSC back into their own half and limited Formby to counter attacks on the break. Crosby Stuart created some good chances and Patrick Fleming playing in goal, made some excellent saves but could do nothing to stop them scoring with fifteen minutes to go. After that, Formby began to tire in the heat and as Crosby grew stronger, they scored two more goals before the end. Player of the match was Sam Uttley who defended strongly and read the game very well throughout.

FJSC Under 8’s were in action against Churchtown Jaguar Reds. It was a fairly even first half with the Under 8’s playing well. After the long layoff, FJSC ran out of steam in the second half and Churchtown took control. Man of the match and scorer for the Under 8’s was Harrison Taylor.

The match between FJSC Under 7 Whites and Crosby Stuart was a great match and played in a wonderful spirit. On another day there could have been many more goals, but some great defending, saves and a little bit of rustiness kept the scores down.

FJSC started brightly with the lively Mason Stringer dominating the midfield and getting a well-deserved goal to put Formby ahead.

Crosby Stuart grew into the game after going a goal down, and scored three quick goals on the counter. Thomas Crutchley scored a goal before the break, after some great build up play. In the second half the Whites got on top with Josh Tallon scoring a brace with an impressive performance at the back and Clayton Gilbertson forced an own goal. Jaiden Crosby had a brilliant second half in defence being able to start attacks. Without any substitutes unfortunately FJSC began to tire despite still playing well and were hit on the counter attack as they looked for more goals. It was a wonderful spectacle for junior football with all the boys fist pumping at the end and all the supporters showing their appreciation.

FJSC U7 Blacks had a close hard-fought game against Churchtown Athletic. First half both teams started strong with some quick end to end football. Churchtown had the early close chances with some hard struck shots that tested goalkeeper Harrison Hughes on his first game back after injury. Churchtown went into the lead with two quick goals. FJSC fought back and both Joseph Kenyon and Noah Walker-Hall had shots which hit the Churchtown posts and then Rory Rankin had a shot cleared off the goal line.

Joseph Kenyon pulled a goal back in the second half for the Blacks after a number of shots including one from Oliver Hall-Gleeson had been well saved by the excellent Churchtown goalkeeper. The Blacks continued to go in search of the all important second goal. In midfield Finn McDerby and Will Roberts worked tirelessly and Ryan Lamb defended well when called upon. In a grandstand finish Churchtown held on. The Blacks player of the match was goalkeeper Harrison Taylor.

FJSC Under 16’s lost 2 nil to Southport Athletic. There was very little between the two teams. FJSC Under 15’s lost 3-1 away at Ormskirk Galaxy.

On Monday FJSC Under 7 Whites played in a 5 aside tournament in St Helens. It was a superb effort by the five boys – Joshua Halpin, Josh Tallon, Diego Funes-Cervera, Mason Stringer and Jaiden Crosby. The team lost to the eventual winners Northfield in the semi-final. However in the group stage FJSC had defeated Northfield which was their only defeat in the competition.

It was a very important and memorable weekend for everyone at Formby Junior Sports Club. With twelve more football weekends of the extended season to follow there is much to look forward to.