Frank’s Report from Formby Junior Sports Club

Congratulations to Formby Junior Sports Club Under 11’s Saturday team who have won the Hightown Junior Football League Championship.

It was another busy weekend at FJSC. There were many other highlights including a first win since October for FJSC Under 16 Blacks in the Craven Minor League, a hard fought draw for the Under 15’s, a good win for FJSC Under 13’s and excellent team performances from FJSC Under 11’s Sunday team and FJSC Under 8’s team, plus three thrilling matches involving FJSC Under 10 Blacks, FJSC Under 7 Whites and FJSC Under 7 Blacks.

Inter Club football flourished again with more new members joining. The Year Three/Four Section members also took part in a very successful round robin friendly tournament and the Reception and four year old age group continues to grow in number. All in all it was a very enjoyable weekend.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS

FJSC Under 16 Blacks were certainly up for the match away at Rainford Rangers Inter with a full squad including five substitutes. Pre match preparations went well and the team was raring to go from the first whistle.

On an excellent playing surface FJSC had a few early chances which the Rainford goalkeeper dealt well with. Rainford took the lead but soon FJSC equalised when Callum Davidson fed a through ball to Lucas Gornall outside the box. Lucas shot and fired past the keeper into the bottom left corner. It was a fantastic goal after good build up play down the left flank. The half time score was 1-1. The Blacks took a 2-1 lead when Sam Cousens determinedly won a through ball and outpaced his opposition defender to fire past the keeper. Soon after the Blacks scored again when from an Andy Kimmance daisy cutter free kick, Lucas Gornall flicked the ball into the net. FJSC kept up the pressure and soon after Callum Davidson scored a free kick from just outside the box. Lucas Gornall fittingly completed his hat trick to make the final score 5-1 for a jubilant FJSC Under 16 team. Sam Cousens was man of the match for his outstanding play down the left flank. There were other good performances deserving of mention including the efforts of Rylie Reed and Jamie Duggan.

FJSC Under 15 Whites played away at Burscough. The team played exceptionally well. Steven Mordaunt, in the centre of midfield had another excellent display in the centre of midfield, creating lots of chances up front and tracking back to defend. Ellis Parry also had another good game, working hard to win back possession and creating chances. There were near misses and shots well saved at both ends but somehow the two defences held firm and the outcome was a 0-0 scoreline which is quite rare in junior football.

FJSC Under 13 Blacks gained a 5 nil win over Southport Trinity Blue in the Championship Division and are in third place. Alfie Finney scored a fine hat trick and there were also two goals scored by Oscar Fletcher.

FJSC Under 11’s Sunday team were in action against Greenloons. FJSC played particularly well in the first half. Man of the match was Archie Ogden who scored four times. Callum Gray and Dominic Maxwell were also on the scoresheet with one goal each.

FJSC Under 10 Blacks played Southport Gold. This game was full of end to end action from start to finish. Formby started well and came close to scoring twice, firstly with a shot that just went over the crossbar from Lewis Donoghue and then when Patrick Fleming hit the post. Formby did score first when Thomas Donnelly converted a penalty with a low shot to the keepers right, but Southport equalised very quickly and then took the lead shorty after. Southport scored a third just before half time to put Formby on the back foot.

The second half continued in similar fashion, with Ethan Richmond scoring his first goal by finishing off what was a very good team goal for Formby, only for Southport to score again with a long range effort. Ollie Dean then scored a third for Formby with a speculative shot that beat the goalkeeper from distance. Formby pushed forward trying to seek an equaliser but were then exposed to a breakaway goal by Southport which completed the goal scoring.

Man of the match was Ollie Dean for a string midfield performance which he topped off with a goal.

FJSC Under 8’s entertained Southport Hesketh. Scoring for FJSC were man of the match Harrison Taylor with five goals, Harry McKenna two and Matthew Crutchley one. The passing was accurate and led to a number of well worked team goals.

FJSC Under 7 Whites and Redgate competed in a fantastic derby fixture. After a scrappy opening both teams settled in to their rhythm and Redgate scored the opener hitting Formby on the break despite a fantastic defensive display, throughout the match, by Jaiden Crosby. Josh Tallon and man of the match Joshua Halpin, were exceptional in midfield covering every blade of grass in order to help defensively and also create some chances. FJSC got their reward for their efforts with Josh Tallon getting his first goal before half time.

Redgate came out quick in the second half scoring two quick goals. The rest of the game saw Formby camped in Redgate’s half. Josh Tallon added a second before Joshua Halpin got a goal lifting it over the goalie from 20 yards out. Josh Tallon went close twice to get a deserved hat trick being denied by the post and a great save. Thomas Crutchley also hit the bar and was unlucky not to score after a great display. With no substitutes Formby tired and Redgate got a fourth goal with the final kick of the game. It was a wonderful fixture in which all the boys played brilliantly and with great spirit.

FJSC Under 7 Blacks fought a hard battle with just five players available against a much improved Southport Athletic U7 Blacks at Ferryside Lane. The Blacks took the lead straight from kick off with Joseph Kenyon latching onto an interception and taking an early run at goal to put FJSC ahead. There were chances at both ends of the pitch in the first half but it was Southport Athletic that capitalised on their chances. Harrison Hughes and Oliver Hall-Gleeson played well at the back in the first half and Will Roberts, Rory Rankine and Joseph Kenyon battled hard in midfield before the break.

The second half was end-to-end throughout. FJSC reduced the gap with a pin-point pass from the corner with Joseph Kenyon passing to Rory Rankine to slot the ball through the defending crowd into the bottom corner. Great saves from Harrison Hughes and the opposing keeper kept the scoreline the same for most of the second half with Will Roberts having a great game in defence for his first time playing in the role this season. In the final few minutes both teams scored again. Oliver Hall-Gleeson scored with a half volley into the top corner from just inside the area and Southport Athletic also scored from a rebound. The man of the match trophy was awarded to all five boys after the game. See the photograph above.

INTER CLUB FOOTBALL

On Saturday all the Year Three and Year Four boys took part in a friendly competition. There were three Inter Club teams made up from the group called Real Formby, Athletico Formby and Inter Formby. In addition Hillside Athletic were invited to join the FJSC boys for the morning. Each team played each of the other teams in a series of short matches. It was a great success and a big thank you goes to Inter Club organiser Colin Crutchley and his volunteers. It is hoped to arrange similar competitions for other age groups in the next few weeks.

All the coaching sessions went well and for the first time there were two small-sided games in the fast growing Reception group. The Year One group is also increasing in size and very soon it is hoped that two teams will be formed in preparation for next season. In addition the aim is to form another Representative team for the present Year Two’s and also another new team for those in Year Three now.

INTER CLUB SCORERS

The following boys were amongst the scorers in the matches last Saturday – Jacob Givin, Matthew Bell, Jack Haggart, Sebastian Hodgson, Finley Cregeen, Rory Rankine, Joel Wright, Joseph Kenyon, Harrison Hughes, Joel Craven, Jaiden Crosby, Huey Stevenson, Will Roberts and Jack Williams.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 1st MAY AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS.

In all age groups there will be a coaching session which will be followed by a friendly game.

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

NEW CHILDREN IN EACH INTER CLUB AGE GROUP ARE VERY WELCOME. THIS INCLUDES GIRLS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH THE BOYS.

There are nine Saturday Inter Club sessions left this season so children can come along and have a go to see if they like it.

For more information about FJSC please look at the club website formbyjuniorsportsclub.co.uk. or you can email Club Chairman Frank Rourke at stellathecat4@gmail.com

INTER CLUB WEBSITE

Each week every club member’s stats are updated whether they are an Inter Club member or/and a member of a Representative team. You look for your team or age group and there you will find the number of appearances and the number of goals scored. Each Representative team has its own web page with reports of every match played this season. You will find up to date club news as well as being able to read about FJSC’s 62 year history etc. The club is very proud of its website and would encourage members and parents particularly if new to the club to have a read of it.