Frank Rourke's Report from Formby Junior Sports Club

Last weekend’s Formby Junior Sports Club’s football was decimated due to torrential rain and flooded pitches. Saturday was a complete write-off with all Inter Club football and Representative team games postponed. It was a little better on Sunday with four matches being played including another victory for the FJSC Under 12 Blacks.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

FJSC Under 12 Blacks played at home against Town Green. Dominic Maxwell gave FJSC the lead from a twenty yard free kick. Luca Massey soon made it 2 nil and just before half time Archie Ogden added a third goal scoring with a twenty yard lob. The second half started in tremendous fashion for FJSC with three goals being scored in the first three minutes of the re-start. The scorers were Luca Massey , Dominic Maxwell and James Cook. The Blacks continued to play some very good football and James Cook scored two more goals to complete a fine hat-trick in the 8 nil win. The Under 12’s are in second position in the league table and three points behind top of the division Southport and Birkdale United. Next Sunday the two teams play each other in a much awaited fixture.

The match between FJSC Under 11 Blacks and Hesketh Colts, also at home, was very evenly contested in the early stages of the match. The FJSC defence played high and in sync and caught the Hesketh attack offside several times, but then were caught out themselves as Hesketh made a break down the right flank. Sam Uttley used his pace to catch the winger up but could not quite make it as the ball was struck into the corner of the goal for Hesketh Colts first goal.

Formby now raised their game and started to push harder, committing more to attack, when Hesketh intercepted the ball and played it through again. This time there was no catching the Hesketh Colts player who finished well to take a 2 nil lead. FJSC came back with some slick passing interplay between Josh Kearney, Abe Rice and Samuel Lewis down the left wing, but could not find a scoring position.

The second half started with FJSC striving to get back into the game. Hesketh Colts gained control in midfield and the FJSC defence had to work hard. Then, against the run of play Patrick Fleming struck a shot from far out, with such power that the Hesketh Colts keeper could not contain it and the ball trickled into the Hesketh net. With fifteen minutes remaining it was all to play for. Unfortunately the Colts were awarded a penalty, scored and soon after went further ahead with a well taken headed goal. FJSC reduced the deficit when a Tom Donnelly corner kick was superbly headed home by Abe Rice. Time ran out for FJSC but it was a very spirited effort in very difficult playing conditions. Player of the match was Charlie Knowles for an outstanding performance in defence.

FJSC Under 9 Whites hosted Redgate Rovers Greens. It was end to end football in the first half with both teams having chances. Just before half time Redgate took the lead. In the second half despite some heroics in goal by FJSC’s man of the match Matthew Crutchley, Redgate increased their lead. Despite a determined effort FJSC could not get back into the match and Redgate ran out worthy winners.

FJSC Under 8 Reds played away at Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs. It proved to be a well balanced competitive encounter. S. and A. took the lead but Zac McHugh equalised with a powerfully driven low long shot. S. and A. hit back and took the lead before half time. Tom Murphy scored a wonderful equaliser in the second half when he gained possession from the opponent’s corner kick and ran the full length of the pitch to strike home. There was a thrilling finish to the match with the Reds close to taking the lead but it was S. and A. who scored the vital final goal of the match. Mason Todd played well in goal and there was some excellent tackling by James Hannan, Joel Craven and Isaac Pepper. The man of the match was James Hannan.

IINTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS.

START TIMES

RECEPTION / YEAR 0NE 10.45am -11.45am

YEARS TWO/THREE 11.15am -12.15pm

YEARS FOUR/FIVE. 9.30am - 10.45am

YEARS SIX/SEVEN. 9.45am – 11.00am

SPACES AVAILABLE

New members in all age groups are most welcome to come along and to join in the coaching and fun football sessions. Present members are once again encouraged to bring along a friend.

CLUB NEWS

NEW YEAR FOUR AND YEAR FIVE TEAMS

As numbers continue to increase in Year 4 and Year 5 if there is sufficient interest every effort will be made to try to arrange some friendly matches for a new FJSC Under 9 team and a FJSC Under 10 team on Sunday mornings. Parents are asked to inform Frank Rourke if their son would be interested to play.

Any new boys interested in this are asked to come along on Saturday mornings from 9.30 to 10.45am and join the present group. For more information contact Frank Rourke at stellathecat4@gmail.com