Frank Rourke's Report from Formby Junior Sports Club

There were good wins for Formby Junior Sports Club’s Under 16 Whites and the FJSC’s Under 12 Blacks Saturday team. Plus there were impressive results for FJSC Under 11 Blacks, FJSC Under 9 Whites and FJSC Under 7 Whites. FJSC Under 8 Reds also continued their improvement with another pleasing team effort. On a glorious Spring Saturday morning all the Inter Club boys enthusiastically took part in the coaching sessions and then after a break for much needed water enjoyed the action packed friendly matches which followed.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

Goals from Callum Hampton, Steven Mordaunt and Marc Whitelaw helped the Under 16’s to a welcome 3-1 victory over Crosby Stuart. Meanwhile FJSC Under 12’s had a very closely contested match against Bootle Boys. After twelve minutes Luca Massey scored from a Callum Gray corner. FJSC had numerous chances to extend their lead before Berat Ulusoy made it 2 nil scoring with a well-taken penalty in the forty-ninth minute. The Under 12’s then managed the game very well to see them home.

FJSC Under 12 Blacks played their cup semi-final against Southport Trinity Blue on Sunday. After a defensive mix-up FJSC conceded a goal after just two minutes play. Dominic Maxwell equalised for the Under 12’s after twenty-three minutes scoring from a twenty yard free kick. Southport Trinity regained the lead in the second half after a scramble in the goal area. FJSC pressed for the equaliser but much as they tried it was not to be on this occasion and Southport Trinity held on to win 2-1.

FJSC Under 11 Blacks travelled to Ormskirk to play an away match against TQ Academy Porto. FJSC started on the front foot from the outset and scored early on through Ollie Dean and then went onto extend their lead with further goals coming from Thomas Donnelly, Patrick Fleming and Samuel Lewis to give themselves a comfortable half time lead. The Under 11’s played some excellent football with good passing combinations and movement being shown throughout the team. The second half continued in a similar way as FJSC looked to create further chances and they were rewarded as Abe Rice went on to score twice, Thomas Donnelly added his second of the game and Ethan Richmond scored with a trademark left foot shot into the far corner.

This was an excellent team effort by the entire available squad and apart from the goal scorers there were notable performances from Sam Uttley, Charlie Knowles and Evan Hughes in defence, as well as Josh Kearney, Jack Finley and Robert Gorman in midfield. Man of the match went to Sam Uttley for his composed display and tireless tackling throughout when playing both in defence and a more advanced role.

FJSC Under 9 Whites produced another excellent performance against Southport Athletic on a nice sunny day. Two first half goals from Archie Weir gave the Under 9’s an early lead. This was after goalkeeper Matthew Crutchley had made a brilliant save to keep the game goalless. The Under 9’s played with confidence and passed the ball very well and created more chances. Southport Athletic began to defend well and came back strongly in the second half and scored an early goal to make it 2-1. FJSC rallied and further goals were then scored by Isaac Jones and from Zac Hooson-Jones with a cracking shot. FJSC now held a comfortable lead despite a late comeback from Southport Athletic.

FJSC Under 8 Reds played at Haig Avenue against Southport FC in a very evenly matched game. FJSC Reds took the lead in the first half courtesy of Tom Murphy with a fine solo goal and James Hannan was on hand and perfectly placed to add a second soon after. Southport FC replied with the last kick before half time to make it 1-2 at the interval.

The second half was another, well matched, affair, both teams created chances with close efforts and saves maintaining the half time scoreline until Southport scored an equaliser. There was some good wing back play by Mason Todd and Joel Wright. In addition there were battling midfield displays by Zac McHugh, Joel Craven and Isaac Pepper. Jenson Gray also impressed in a new attacking role. It was a good overall team performance from the Reds. Man of the match was Tom Murphy. See the photo above.

FJSC Under 8 Blacks played Southport Trinity Blue. The Blacks defence were kept busy throughout with many excellent saves from Harrison Hughes and Finn McDerby. Ryan Lamb and Oliver Hall-Gleeson were excellent at the back throughout the whole game. Huey Stevenson battled hard in midfield and tracked back and got his fair share of blocks in to support the defence. Unfortunately a misunderstanding resulted in FJSC going one goal behind in the first half. After the half time break the Blacks came close to scoring when a ball fell to Rory Rankine who was unmarked in the area but his shot was well saved by the Trinity keeper. Joseph Kenyon had another opportunity also but the ball had fallen on his weaker foot and the pressure from the defender alongside him meant he put his shot just wide. The match was end to end but no more goals were scored. It was a good effort by FJSC Under 8 Blacks. The man of the match award was shared by the heroic FJSC defenders.

After a four week hiatus FJSC Under 7’s did not take long to return to their pre-break form. With both teams working hard it resulted in a tight opening with chances at a premium until master-marksman Jack Haggart got the break and opening goal. From taking the lead FJSC quickly added to the scoreline with Jack Hansen’s fox-in-the-box sharpness grabbing a well-deserved goal. Isaac Higgins who was fouled after breaking up an attacking threat with expert defending quickly dusted himself down to take the resulting free-kick and unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from close to the halfway line. Either side of Southport Athletic goal Jack Haggart capped off an all action display with two goals and thus completing his hat-trick.

INTER CLUB SECTION

Saturday’s scorers included Max Brown, Lucas Lewis, Patrick Fleming, Ethan Richmond and Ben Ryder.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 2nd APRIL AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS

GOALKEEPER COACHING 9.00 am

YEAR 4/5. 9.30 am

YEAR 6/7. 9.45 am

NURSERY. 10.45am

RECEPTION. 10.45 am

YEAR 1. 10.45 am

YEAR 2. 11.15 am

YEAR 3. 11.15 am

NEW MEMBERS IN ALL OTHER AGE GROUPS ARE WELCOME.

INTER CLUB NEWS FOR PRE SCHOOL CHILDREN

Saturday, 2nd April children who are pre-school age (four years of age) are invited to attend at 10.45 to 11.45am for coaching and a fun game of football. These taster sessions are free of charge.

REMAINING INTER CLUB SESSIONS THIS SEASON

There are still six Saturday Inter Clubs this season.

Weather permitting Inter Club will be on the following days – April 2nd, 9th, 16th (Easter Saturday), 23rd, 30th and the final Saturday of the season 7th May.

CLUB NEWS

FJSC ANNOUNCES NEW UNDER 11 TEAM FOR NEXT SEASON

A new squad of boys from the present Year 4/Year 5 Inter Club Section will represent FJSC at Under 11 level on Sundays in the Craven Minor League next season. There are a few places in the squad still to be filled so FJSC will be holding a trial in order to complete the squad.

FJSC UNDER 11 TRIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Boys in present Year 5 or Year 4 who are not already in a team are invited to attend the trial session if they are interested in being considered for the new under 11 squad.

The Under 11 session will be at Deansgate Lane Playing Fields on WEDNESDAY 6TH APRIL FROM 6 – 7PM.

NEW PLAYERS NEEDED FOR NEXT SEASON’S UNDER 13’S

THIS SEASON’S FJSC UNDER 12’S TEAM WHO PLAY ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS WILL BE MOVING UP TO 11 ASIDE FOOTBALL NEXT SEASON FROM SEPTEMBER AND ARE LOOKING TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THEIR SQUADS. IF INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT FRANK ROURKE at stellathecat4@gmail.com