Frank Rourke's Report from Formby Junior Sports Club

The first weekend of the half term holiday saw a reduced number of Formby Junior Sports Club Representative team fixtures. The Inter Club Section carried on regardless and had an exceptionally good attendance despite the cold, wet and windy weather.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

The match of the weekend was the friendly encounter between FJSC Under 8 Whites and FJSC Under 8 Blacks. The match earlier in the season resulted in an exciting draw so another very good match was envisaged. The Blacks started well and scored early on when a powerful Joseph Kenyon shot crept over the line after a save by the Whites keeper. Immediately the Whites came back strongly with some attacking runs by Joshua Halpin and Josh Tallon. It took some solid defending from Finn McDerby, Oliver Hall-Gleeson and Ryan Lamb and some great saves by the Blacks’ goalkeeper Harrison Hughes to stop the Whites equalising. The match ebbed and flowed until Jack Williams scored twice before half time to give the Blacks a more comfortable lead.

The second half continued in similar vein until the Blacks added to their score with a second goal for Joseph Kenyon, a superb header from Huey Stevenson and a Finn McDerby scrambled effort. FJSC Whites finished strongly and after several close chances Timmy Richards scored. The man of the match award for the Blacks went to the whole team for an excellent performance by everyone.

FJSC Under 8 Reds played Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs in a keenly competitive game. FJSC were unlucky not to take the lead with James Hannan being unlucky with a delicate chip just over the crossbar and Joel Wright going close on a couple of occasions. Some good goalkeeping clearances from Joel Craven kept it scoreless until S. and A. Amateurs opened the scoring shortly before half time.

The second half saw both teams producing battling performances. Zac McHugh equalised for FJSC with a finely taken left foot shot and was inches away from giving the Reds the lead when he hit the upright shortly before full time. It was an overall very good team performance included some tireless play by Jenson Gray with fine defensive displays from Mason Todd and today’s man of the match Tom Murphy.

FJSC Under 7 Whites were in action against Southport Athletic Blacks and played some very good football. Jack Hansen and James Smith were both in fine goal-scoring form. Seb Hodgson whose strikes from distance are quickly becoming his trademark was also on the scoresheet and there was a real poacher’s goal from Henry Williamson who pounced on a loose ball to fire home.

A friendly match was played between FJSC Under 9 Whites and the new FJSC Under 9/10 team. It was close game played in blustery conditions. FJSC Under 9’s took the lead through Archie Weir after some end-to-end football and excellent goalkeeping from Matthew Critchley. In the second half the FJSC Under 9/10 team took advantage of the wind. A curling Lucas Lewis corner rebounded off a Whites defender for the equaliser. Max Brown then scored the Under 9/10’s second goal. It was a very good match enjoyed by all as the new FJSC Under 9/10’s team ran out deserved winners with the age difference just telling in the end. It was nice to see twenty-one FJSC boys turning out for the game.

It is hoped that very soon there will be enough boys in the Under 9/10’s squad to split into two new FJSC teams – a new Under 9 team and a new Under 10 team. Any boys in these two age groups interested in joining this group in preparation for next season are invited to come along to Deansgate Lane on Saturdays at 9.30am when the Inter Club Year 4/5 play a match and have a coaching session as well.

FJSC Under 6’s played Formby Forza. Due to half term the Under 6’s only had five available players and no substitutes. Despite a valiant effort in all three periods the boys tired and their opponents got on top scoring some well-taken goals. The two goals for FJSC were both scored by Finley Duffin including one straight from the kick off. Daniel Johnson, Archie Phenna, Harrison Weir and Oliver Parrish also played with great determination. It is hoped that more boys in the squad will be available for next Sunday’s match.

FJSC Under 16 Whites played away at Crosby Stuart on Saturday and drew 2-2. Scoring for FJSC were Bobby Hersey and Luke Honour.

INTER CLUB SECTION

Inter Club was well attended as usual. This week’s scorers included Harrison Weir, Finley Duffin, Archie Phenna, James Hannan, Ralph Renton, Jacob Davies, Sylvan O’Hara, Harry Ball, Max Brown, Tom Donnelly and Henry Renton.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 19th FEBRUARY AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS

GOALKEEPER COACHING 9.00 am

YEAR 4/5. 9.30 am

YEAR 6/7. 9.45 am

RECEPTION. 10.45 am

YEAR 1. 10.45 am

YEAR 2. 11.15 am

YEAR 3. 11.15 am

NEW MEMBERS IN ALL AGE GROUPS ARE WELCOME.

The subscription to the end of the season for new members is now half price. Reception £5, Year One £15 and Year Two and above £25. Inter Club Coaching is £2 each Saturday.

In the event of bad weather, if sessions are cancelled a message will be placed in the News Section on the Club Website, Twitter and Facebook. Parents can also tel. 01704 873238 to hear a message on the club telephone .