The highlight of Formby Junior Sports Club’s weekend was the first win of the season for the Under 12 Reds

The highlight of Formby Junior Sports Club’s weekend was the first win of the season for the Under 12 Reds.  

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

FJSC Under 12 Reds played away at Southport FC Community Yellow and got off to a great start with Chase Lowen and IzakkHill pushing up the pitch and forcing the opposition back. This resulted in an early breakthrough with Izakk Hill providing the assist for Chase Lowen to score his first goal of the season. Minutes later a through ball from Dan Ashcroft saw Izakk Hill one on onewith the keeper and he confidently slotted home to double FJSC’s lead. Brief attacks from Southport were snuffed out by the back three with Lucas Firth providing backup from midfield. A third Red’s goal came from a brilliant solo effort by Chase Lowen to take the boys into half time with a good lead.  

Southport came out strong in the second half and got onto the scoresheet when a powerfulshot could only be parried into the net byFJSC’s goalkeeper Brett McKeown. FJSCpushed on and scored another goal when Campbell Woodcock smashed in from close range from a corner. The 4-1 lead looked comfortable until the Reds started to tire. Southport took advantage scoring two late goals but the Reds held on to deservedly win 4-3 with solid defensive work from James Hannan who was Man of the Match.  It was the FJSC Reds first win of the season.

FJSC Under 14 Blacks were in action against Formby FC Community Club in a local derby.  FCFC seemed to have a swarm of players around the ball every time the Blacks were in possession not allowing the Blacks to settleinto any rhythm at all. FJSC began to up the pace and went into a 1 nil first half lead with a goal from Ben Harris.  

Credit to the Blacks as they lifted their overall team performance after the interval and scored a flurry of goals. Ben Harris scored a second half hat trick  and there was also one goal each for Connor Howells and Will Madutlela. Man of the Match was Henry Wynne.

FJSC Under 14 Whites had a hard match against a very good Southport Athletic team.  The Whites were not at their best in the first half and conceded a number of goals.However spirits were lifted when goalkeeper Harry Ball had made a wonderful save from a penalty.  As a result  the second half performance saw a very much improved effort.  Despite losing 8 nil the Under 14’s can take away some positives from the second half.  Man of the Match was goalkeeper Harry Ball.

Luckily FJSC Under 13 Black’s Saturday morning fixture had been move to Friday night due to Saturday’s Derby match.  FJSC came into the game determined to respond positively after a disappointing result the week before. The team started slowly, struggling to settle into the rhythm of the match, and Marina Sands capitalised early—taking a 1–0 lead from a corner that wasn’t properly cleared.

The goal proved to be the wake-up call FJSC needed. A moment of brilliance from Josh Burr saw him unleash a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the area to level the score. From that point on, FJSC took control.

Crisp passing and intelligent movement in midfield began to unlock the Marina defence. It wasn’t long before Josh Burr struck again, putting FJSC 2–1 ahead. Louis O’Connor, lively on the left wing, latched onto a superb through ball and coolly finished to make it 3–1. Then came a great run from Caden Walker, who broke through the midfield and rifled a shot into the bottom corner for 4–1. LouisO’Connor added his second of the night just before the break, capping off a dominant first-half performance and giving FJSC a commanding 5–1 lead.

The second half began with more attacking intent, and a pinpoint cross from Finley Scott found O’Connor at the back post to complete his hat-trick and extend the lead to 6–1. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Marina Sands to claw back three quick goals, narrowing the gap to 6–4 and injecting tension into the match. FJSC regrouped, and Josh Burr completed his own hat-trick with a composed finish to seal a 7–4 win.

While the team showed flashes of excellent football particularly in the first half and earlyin the second there were lessons to be learned from the brief spell of complacency that allowed Marina Sands back into the game.The Man of the Match award was shared by hat trick pair Louis O’Connor and Josh Burr.

The match between  FJSC Under 13 Whites and Southport FC Community Club was acompetitive game with both sides giving one hundred per cent. Formby had the brighter start but failed to take a number of early chances.  A Matthew Crutchley shot hitting the post going the closest. Southport were awarded a penalty just before half time which they converted.

Southport started the second half stronger but were kept at bay due to some great FJSCdefending, particularly from Player of the Match Jacob Underwood.   FJSC thenequalised with a first goal from Grayson Fox after a fine cross from Archie Marron. Unfortunately for Formby, Southport went straight up the other end and scored to lead 2-1! The Whites pushed for an equaliser and were the stronger team throughout the last twenty minutes and finally got what they deserved with a late penalty converted by NikKostakis to earn a 2-2 draw.

FJSC Under 11 Blacks put in a superb team performance against a spirited Forefield Rangers.  The game started brightly, with Formby showing confidence in possession and moving the ball quickly through the thirds. Their pressure paid off just before half time when Ashley Jones opened the scoring from a free kick.

Not long after half time, Ethan Catleughdoubled the advantage, finishing calmly after great build-up play and an assist from Alex Rowley. FJSC looked full of energy, and Asher Fields scored a lovely free kick. Forefield battled hard and pulled one back in the second half, but Formby responded in style.  Ashley Jones firing home after being set up by Ethan Catleugh, who showed great awareness.  With Forefield pushing forward, Formby sealed the victory when Ethan grabbed his second of the game, capping off a fine all-round performance. Although Forefield managed another consolation goal, Formby’s attacking quality shone through, securing an impressive win.

The whole squad put in a fantastic display, with great defensive performances from Isaac Melton, Joseph Kerrigan, Olly Stinson and Asher Fields, as well as some excellent midfield displays from both Jack Hansen and Adam Tyler-Holland who were both unlucky to not get on the score sheet. A shout out to both Alex Rowley and Joseph Kerrigan who popped on the goalie gloves this week. Ethan Catleugh deservedly was rewarded with the MOTM trophy for his excellent performance.

FJSC Under 11 Golds faced another demanding test against Southport and Birkdale, a side that proved to be exceptionally well-organised and clinical in their approach. Despite the final scoreline, there were several encouraging individual performances that highlighted the character within this young squad.

The home side’s superior organisation and tactical discipline created constant problems for FJSC, who struggled to maintain their positional shape throughout the encounter. However, the effort and determination shown by the entire squad was exemplary. Ben Jones epitomised this fighting spirit, earning Player of the Match honours for an outstanding defensive display. Ben worked tirelessly throughout the whole match, throwing himself into tackle after tackle with the kind of commitment that sets an excellent example for his teammates. Between the posts, goalkeeper Leo McBurney delivered a performance of the highest calibre, producing save after save. Many of his stops were acrobatic and spectacular demonstrating excellent shot-stopping ability and reflexes. Whilst the result was disappointing, the team's resilience in adversity and willingness to keep battling until the final whistle provides a solid foundation for future development.

FJSC Under 10 Whites played really wellagainst FC Sandgrounders and kept their heads up throughout the match and were veryunlucky to not get on the score sheet. The Man of the Match award went to Eric Williams for his constant pressure on the opposite team andfor never giving up.

FJSC Under 10 Blacks were slow out of the blocks against Redgate Rovers Green and it proved costly. Redgate pressed from the whistle, finding gaps and finishing clinically to go into a comfortable half-time lead. FJSC battled throughout but couldn’t keep the hosts out during that early spell.

After the break, the Blacks tightened up, moved the ball quicker, and began winning more 50–50s. Territory improved, chances followed, and they pulled two goals backscored by Daniel MacArthur and Theo Richards before Redgate added a late goal on the counter. The second-half performance showed far better shape, bravery on the ball, and work rate across the pitch.

Despite the defeat, there are clear signs of progress being made by FJSC Blacks. If FJSC can cut out the early concessions and start sharper—first five minutes switched on, compact lines, simple passes to settle—they’ll give themselves a platform to compete. Also to keep the intensity from the second half, and the results will come.

FJSC Under 9 Blacks met Redgate Rovers on a sunny Sunday. This was their first meeting of the season and after a hard game the previous year the Blacks were keen to show how far they had come on since.

FJSC started strong with a well-timed goal scored by Ted Middleton which gave the Blacks an early led.   The match ebbed and flowed and was end to end.  At half time the teams were level.

The second half saw much of the same with the Blacks battling hard to keep Redgate at bay. A lovely free kick from Sam O’Brien was met by Isaac Murphy who scored FJSC’ssecond goal. Despite the continuing hard work and team spirit the Blacks found themselves on the back foot with Redgate capitalising with a couple of late goals.

The Under 9 Blacks played amazingly wellwith Redgate being very complimentary abouthow far the team had come since the last encounter. MOTM went to goalkeeper Harley Rea who produced an outstanding performance.

FJSC Under 9 Reds opened the game wellagainst Crosby Stuart and the first half was a closely fought affair with chances at both ends. Both Oliver Horder and Teddy Regan tested the Crosby goalkeeper with great efforts during the opening exchanges.  Finley Constable also excelled in goal and pulled off the save of the match towards the end of the half.

After a number of half time changes the Reds fought hard during the second half but found Crosby Stuart difficult to contain. Man of the Match for his second half heroics was Lucas Kelly who combined his undoubted skill with an unrivalled will to win.

FJSC Under 7 Whites travelled to HeskethBank Ambers with just five players available.  What a great effort the boys made with no substitutes.  All the boys worked hard throughout the game and supported each other. Despite a number of chances including one hitting the post Kayden Dowdall was very unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Toby Woodcock did well in goal supported by his hard working and committed defender William Laughley. Hesketh Bank Ambers scored a couple of goals including one just before half time. Formby conceded another and with emotions running high the game could have gone away from them.  A superb finish by McEddy Osei Assibey got the team back in the game and with great determination and skill Shayan Palin scored a quick double which was answered by another Hesketh goal. FJSC continued to apply pressure which led to a Hesketh own goal.  In  a very exciting finish to a highly entertaining there were no further goals scored and honours were even. 

Unfortunately due to Saturday’s very heavy rain and the state of pitches, nine Representative team matches had to be cancelled over the weekend.  

INTER CLUB SECTION

Unfortunately Inter Club football on Saturday had to be cancelled due to the heavy overnight rain.  It was disappointing after such a good first two Saturdays of the season.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS

9.00am – 10.10am     4’s and Reception (new earlier time)

9.30am- 10.40am       Year Two

9.30am –10.40am      Year Eight/ Nine

10.00am 11.10am.    Year One

10.40am- 11.45am    Year Three/Year Four

11.15am  12.20pm    Year Five/Year Six/ Year Seven.

ALL ARE WELCOME.  COME ALONG AND SEE IF YOU ENJOY IT.

INTER CLUB NEWS

The Reception age group Inter Club time has been changed and will now start at 9am and finish at 10.10 am.

New boys in Year 5, 6, 7 who are wishing to start football are invited to Deansgate Lane  at 11.15am-12.15pm for a try out.

New boys in Year 8 who are wishing to start football are invited to Deansgate Lane  at 9.30 -10.40am to give it a go.

ANOTHER NEW FJSC UNDER 6 TEAM AND A NEW FJSC UNDER 5 TEAM TO BE STARTED SHORTLY.

If interested please let Frank Rourke know at Inter Club next Saturday.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Parents are reminded that in the event of an Inter Club Saturday having to be cancelled due to weather or the state of pitches a message will be placed on the FJSC website (News section), X and Facebook by 8.30am.