FRANK ROURKE'S REPORT FROM FORMBY JUNIOR SPORTS CLUB

It’s wonderful to return to football during these uncertain times. Formby junior Sports Club’s Inter Club Section had its best Saturday of the season so far with a very good attendance and many new members joining as well. The happy and very enthusiastic boys together with the smiling faces of the parents as they encouraged all the budding young footballers, created a brilliant atmosphere. It was also the same as the Representative teams in their black and white striped FJSC shirts played their first matches for many weeks. Collectively the whole weekend was like a breath of fresh air. FJSC Under 15 Whites played away at Crosby Stuart. The playing conditions were ideal as both teams approached the game in good spirits. It was a very exciting match with plenty of goals and even more chances throughout the game. There were excellent performances from both goalkeepers. Nine goals were scored and FJSC just edged the outcome with a 5-4 win. There was a good performance from Henry Peck who was constantly causing the opposing keeper problems. Man of the match Luke Honour scored twice and worked tirelessly for the team and there was also one goal each for Marc Whitelaw, Steven Mordaunt and Henry Peck. FJSC Under 15’s move into joint third position in the league table. FJSC Under 16 Blacks played at home against Southport Trinity Whites. It was a close match with both teams clearly showing that they will need a few matches to return to their usual form. There was little between the teams but Southport Trinity narrowly won 2-1. FJSC substitute Ben Tomlinson scored with his first touch and goalkeeper Jack Allars continued his good form with some good saves and decisive decision making. Next week will be the return fixture against the same opponents and FJSC Under 16’s will welcome back their talisman Callum Davidson. FJSC Under 11’s Saturday team played Bootle Blues. The Under 11’s started well and kept up intense pressure on their opponents throughout the match. Max Ryan on his return to the club played well in midfield and scored twice. Berat Ulusoy also scored. Man of the match was Charlie Garvey. It was the last match for goalkeeper Will Brown as he has been signed up by Blackpool. The club and his team congratulate Will and wish him the best of luck. FJSC Under 11 Sunday team were in action against Southport and Ainsdale Athletic on a very cold morning. It was a good restart for the Under 11’s particularly as they had no substitutes to call on. Luca Massey scored a brace and also on target with one goal each were Charlie Garvey, Callum Gray and Dominic Maxwell. Man of the match for FJSC was James Cook. Special mention to the S. and A. Athletic goalkeeper who had an outstanding game. FJSC Under 10 Whites played very well against TQ Under 10 Barca. The Whites passed the ball around with confidence. Barca opened the scoring with a well- taken goal. The Whites showed great determination and two excellent goals were scored by Max Berrie and Harry Nelson before half time. In an exciting second half the Barca keeper made some fine saves before Harry Nelson scored again and Niall Brennan added a fourth which was his first goal of the season. Man of the match was Harry Nelson. FJSC Under 10 Blacks were all excited to be back playing football again and enjoyed a close match against TQ Madrid. The first half began very competitively with both teams playing well and keeping possession. Formby had the better of it but were unable to take advantage and score, when TQ managed a break-away goal. FJSC came close to equalising on a few occasions, in particular when a Bobby Marshall shot hit the cross bar but were thwarted by some good defending and goalkeeping. The second half continued in much the same vein and the introduction of Sam Uttley, Robert Gorman and James Potts helped bring fresh energy to the team. TQ Madrid scored a second goal and then Formby pushed forward and Ollie Dean went close first as did James Potts, but it was Lewis Donoghue who scored late on to make it a tense finish as Formby threw everything at it to find the equaliser in the final few minutes. It was a very enjoyable match. FJSC Under 10 Blacks played well. Man, of the match was Patrick Fleming for his all-round display and flexibility in playing three positions during the game. FJSC Under 8 Whites tried hard against a strong Redgate Green team and battled on until the end. There were some excellent performances from Matthew Crutchley in goal and Ephraim Sutton in defence. There was a man of the match performance from Gregory Houghton. FJSC under 7 Blacks produced a determined effort in their match with Redgate Green. Joseph Kenyon played in goal in the first half with Finn McDerby taking over in the second half. The two boys deputising for their usual keeper made some very good saves. Redgate went into a four-goal lead but a great effort and comeback was made by the Blacks. Ryan Lamb once again excelled in defence and Noah Walker-Hall played well in midfield and as a defender. Oliver Hall-Gleeson, Will Roberts and Rory Rankine began to provide Joseph Kenyon with scoring opportunities and the striker’s quickfire hat trick set up a grandstand finish. Redgate scored again but the Blacks continued to attack with every opportunity but could not breech the Redgate defence again. It was a great game. Man of the match was Joseph Kenyon. FJSC Under 7 Whites played Southport Trinity Whites. It was another energetic and impressive display. Clayton Gilbertson opened the scoring with a long shot. Mason Stringer scored a double hat trick. Joshua Halpin also played well and scored twice as did Thomas Crutchley who was man of the match. Diego Funes-Cervera showed his attacking qualities and completed the scoring with a goal. Jaiden Crosby in defence and the hard-working Joshua Tallon were also in good form. INTER CLUB FOOTBALL Inter Club at Deansgate Lane Playing Fields went well particularly in the Year Three/Four age group in which there were seven new members. The session with coaching and a match went extremely well. Coaching sessions for Reception, Year One and Two were well attended and the Year Five/Six match played produced an exciting 7-7 draw. NEW COACHING FOR THE YEAR FIVE/SIX AGE GROUP From next Saturday December 12th the Year Five/Six section will have coaching with UEFA Coach Jordan Parker starting promptly at 9.45am. This will then be followed by a match at 10.20am. We are sure that this new addition to our Inter Club programme will be well received and be very beneficial to the age group. NEW START TIME FOR RECEPTION The Reception children will, from Saturday start their coaching session at 10.30am and finish after a game at 11.30am. ALL OTHER TIMES ARE THE SAME Year One will also be at 10.30am until 11.30am. Year Three/Four will be from 10.30am until 11.30am The Year Two session will be from 11.15am until 12.15pm. NEW MEMBERS IN ALL INTER CLUB AGE GROUPS ARE VERY WELCOME INTER CLUB SCORERS The following boys scored goals last Saturday - Jackson Ebo, Jack Haggart, Jack Hansen, Thomas Crutchley, Diego Funes- Cervera, Jacob Gadsby, Joseph Kenyon, William Roberts, Mason Stringer, Joshua Tallon, Max Touhey, Noah Walker-Hall, Joel Wright, Olly Dean, Thomas Donnelly, Patrick Fleming, Anthony Foster, Robert Gorman and James Potts. A MESSAGE TO BOYS FROM RECEPTION UP TO YEAR SIX INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL WHO ARE NOT IN A CLUB It is an ideal time with two sessions before Christmas on Saturday 12th and 19th December for new boys interested in playing football to come along and give it a try. It does not matter if you have never really played football before because we will help coach you the skills to get started and introduce you to a friendly Inter Club game of football and teach you the rules as well. OR If you have played some football before you will be also able to enjoy the coaching and football matches as all our boys who play for our club teams (our Representative teams) play Inter Club football on Saturday mornings. OR If you are a young footballer looking for a team for next season and you are not at present in a team of another club, Formby Junior Sports Club is looking ahead now to next season (2021/22) and are starting to form new teams in preparation. NEW TEAMS FOR NEXT SEASON For Year One’s now, FJSC is looking to have two new Year Two (U8) next season. For present Year Two, we are aiming to have one new team at U8 to add to the two teams we already have. For present Year Three we will be having a new Year 4 (U9) team in addition to the team we have at the moment. If possible, the club would like to form a Year 4 team now so that the team could play in the Craven Minor League as a Year 5 team (U10) next season. Parents are asked to contact FJSC Chairman, Frank Rourke to express their interest by email to stellathecat4@gmail.com