Three Formby JSC Teams Secure Last-Minute Victory in Thrilling Matches

At the weekend three Formby Junior Sports Club teams won their matches in the final minute of very exciting encounters. Some FJSC teams are also challenging for league honours and a few teams have Cup Finals to look forward during the next few weeks.  On the Inter Club front more and more four, five and six year olds continue to join Saturday morning football.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

FJSC Under 15 Blacks Saturday team only had eleven players available  for their match against Northfield Dortmund due to sickness.  The boys played some lovely football at times against a very resolute team.  Charlie Garvey gave FJSC the lead after thirteen minutes andfive minutes later it was 2 nil when Luca Massey scored a wonder goal. The Northfield goalkeeper made a string of fine saves throughout the match but with just two minutes to go Archie Ogden made it 3 nil for another good win.  

FJSC Under 13 Blacks Saturday team went into their match with Maghull knowing that any result would still see the team finish theHightown Junior League Under 13 Cup competition in a top two position. In any sport, winning is the best habit you can pick up. A draw would have been more than fine. A narrow loss would have even been palatable. But no. Not this squad. Not from this group of young men.

A very capable Maghull set their stall out early and came for the win that they so desperately needed. After an initial spell of pressure, the Blacks began to play their way into the game with Jenson Heron and Oskar Wood nullifying their best player and Connor Howells and Lucas Lewis stretching the game out wide. Athalf time it was 1 nil  thanks to a Lucas Lewisgoal.

Maghull’s efforts doubled and they scored arather fortunate equaliser which set up what was looking to be a draw.  With less than five minutes remaining the drama started.  Maghull were awarded a penalty but for the second week in succession goalkeeper Ben Gregory saved the spot kick.  FJSC were holding on at this stage and Seth McNamara with the ballheaded to the corner flag to waste a few more seconds.  Just when Seth seemed to look out numbered, he spotted Reuben Burke all alone in the six yard box and quick as a flash crossed the ball for Reuben to score the winner.  The full time whistle went and FJSC as a result finished the cup group in joint topposition.  Man of the Match was the increasingly impressive Reuben Burke who played his role with aplomb.

FJSC Under 12 Blacks Saturday team went into the game against Ormskirk West Endknowing that a win would put them in a good position in the Hightown Spring Premier League. Playing into the low sun with an early kick off proved difficult in the first half in defending set pieces and FJSC soon found themselves 1-0 down. A set piece again from Ormskirk found an unmarked player at the back post who directed a good header towardsgoal to make the score 2 nil. FJSC did manage to pull a goal back before half time with a good individual goal from Alfie Frost.

With FJSC playing with the sun behind them in the second half, it was their turn to take advantage and within minutes of the restart the score was 2-2 with a well worked goal that saw Alfie Frost finish calmly for his second. The sun playing havoc again saw the Ormskirk goalkeeper make a mistake which Isaac Jones latched onto and finished well from the edge of the area to make it 3-2.

FJSC then had more chances to extend the lead but for some great saves were made by the Ormskirk goalkeeper.   Ormskirk then drew level at 3-3 with a shot from just inside FJSC’s area. In the dying moments FJSC pushed forward and had a succession of corners which resulted in Louis O’Connor whipping in a cross for Alfie Frost to head home for a thrilling 4-3 win and a top of league position after three matches played.

It was a second game in three weeks between FJSC Under 12 Blacks Sunday team and Redgate Rovers Greens which once again saw a keenly contested battle in midfield. FJSC struggled to get any fluency or rhythm going and it wasn’t long before Redgate took the lead to make it 1-0. It stayed this way until half time where FJSC tried to reset themselves.

In the second half FJSC looked much more like themselves and soon Isaac Jones levelled the score to make it 1-1. A well worked move then saw Redgate produce a great finish from the tightest of angles to  make it 2-1 but FJSC hit straight back through Finley Scott who found the top corner to make it 2-2. FJSC then pushed on and took the lead when Isaac Jonesscored his second goal of the match.   A fourth FJSC  goal from Caden Walker saw the final score finish 4-2 to FJSC.

FJSC Under 11 Reds played Formby Wanderers.  The Reds were on the defensive for most of the match and their only chance to score was from a counter attack which waswell taken by Tom Murphy who scored with a clever shot from close range.  Wanderers were too strong on the day and ran out worthy winners.  

Joint Players of the Match were Haden Radcliffe for his energetic and dynamic play and Tom Murphy for his tireless effort and goal threat. There were other good performances from Joel Craven in a new position, goalkeeper Brett McKeown and Mason Todd for his tenacious tackling.

FJSC U10 Blacks faced Crosby Stuart for a third time this season. Crosby took the lead squeezing the ball through the FJSC wall from a free kick. Despite not being up to their usual high standard Formby continued to create chances with Alex Rowley hitting the bar and Jack Hansen and Ashley Jones coming close.

Just after half time Crosby Stuart added a second with a breakaway goal and Formby pushed for an equaliser and pulled a goal back with Alex Rowley squaring for Ashley Jones to score.  Despite some great efforts the Blacks were a whisker away from getting an equaliser. It was an unusual off day for the boys but they almost came away with the draw. It’s certainly a game that they will certainly learn from.

On a bright and sunny Spring morning, FJSCUnder 9 Blacks hosted Redgate Rovers Greens in a well-contested match. Despite the scoreline in favour of Redgate, the game was much closer than the result suggests. Redgate took their chances well, scoring four impressive goals that ultimately proved the difference. FJSC Blacks worked tirelessly throughout, creating several promising opportunities. They were unfortunate not to find the net, with Redgate's goalkeeper pulling off some excellent saves. On one occasion, FJSC came agonisingly close when a powerful shot struck the post. Both teams showed great determination and skill, providing an entertaining match played in perfect football conditions. While Redgate claimed the victory, FJSC can take pride in their performance and will look to build on the positives in their next fixture.

FJSC Under 8 Blacks played away atSouthport Hesketh for the second meeting of the season.  Both sides started strongly with Southport Hesketh scoring to take the lead.  This was soon countered by a long range shot from Sam O’Brien to get the scores back level. With a game that ebbed and flowed the home side were awarded a penalty which they scored from, to take the lead again.   Not to be deterred the Blacks soon regained their composure and they too were awarded a penalty for hand ball that was slotted home by Sam O’Brien.

The fast moving and very exciting andentertaining match continued in the same way after half time.   Teddy Ball worked tirelesslyand made some excellent tackles which spurred on his team. The Blacks were awarded a free kick outside the box and up stepped Sam O’Brien who slotted in a third goal forhis hat trick. Again Southport battled back and drew level at 3-3. With only a few minutes left to play a long ball from Sam O’Brien foundTed Middleton who battled through the defence to score the winner.

There were many outstanding performancesfrom all the team members including Harley Rea in goal, Isaac Murphy, Seb Downes supporting the midfield and Oscar Craven in defence. Man of the Match was Teddy Ball for his constant battling throughout the game.

FJSC Under 7 Black were very unlucky in their match with Southport Athletic Reds.  Harry Brown was Man of the Match who led by example and was the scorer of both FJSC’s goals.  Dylan Woods won the Medal Award.

INTER CLUB SECTION

Numbers continue to grow in the Inter Club Section particularly in the younger age groups.

Amongst the scorers on Saturday were – Rory Dunn, Leo Clarke, Toby Woodcock, William Laugley,  Kayden Dowdall, Teddy Gillingham, McEddy Osei Assibey, Anders Carter, Oscar Wilson, Sammy Porter, Cian O’Farrell, Tayo Popoola, Austin Faraday, Tom Murphy, Charlie Ormesher, Chase Lowen, Charlie Griffiths, George Kallianiotis and Franek Banas.

INTER CLUB START TIMES AT DEANSGATE LANE ON SATURDAY 22nd MARCH

9.00am -  9.30am.   -    GOALKEEPER COACHING

9.30am -  10.40am.   – YEARS SEVEN/ EIGHT / NINE

10.00am – 11.10am.  – 4’s / RECEPTION/ YEAR ONE

10.40am – 11.45am.  – YEAR TWO / YEAR THREE

11.15am – 12.30pm.  -  YEARS FOUR / FIVE / SIX

ALL GROUP SESSIONS WILL COMPRISE OF COACHING AND A FUN MATCH.  THERE IS A £3 CHARGE EACH SATURDAY FOR COACHING.

INTER CLUB NEWS

NEW MEMBERS IN ALL AGE GROUPS ARE MOST WELCOME

Children in all age groups from four year olds up to and including Year 9 are invited to come along for a Taster session and join in the coaching and friendly match to see if they like it at Deansgate Lane on Saturday.   For more information please contact Frank Rourke at stellathecat4@gmail.com