Under 9 Whites Reach Jim Rourke Trophy Cup Final After Semi Final Win

Formby Junior Sports Club’s Under 9 Whites won their cup semi-final match last Sunday and will be playing in the Craven Minor Leagues Jim Rourke Trophy Cup Final later this month.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

FJSC Under 9 Whites played Redgate Rovers Greens in the semi-final of the Jim Rourke Trophy in what turned out to be an absolutely brilliant local derby.  FJSC started strongly but the Redgate goalkeeper and defence held strong.  Redgate then took the lead with a long range effort but FJSC equalised quickly whena Joseph Morgan cross was bundled in by Archie Jones.  The half time score was 1-1.  

The second half was end to end with both goalkeepers making great saves.  Redgate were awarded a penalty but the spot kick hit the crossbar.  With ten minutes to go Redgate took the lead.   FJSC’s Henry Ade then scored from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.  In the final few minutes of this nail biting thriller both teams had chances to win it.  Eventually Luke Clarke broke the deadlock scoring a wonderful goal from long range to give FJSC a 3-2 lead with a couple of minutes left.  Redgate searched for the equaliser but FJSC held out to reach the final.   FJSC Whites opponents in the cup final will be Crosby Stuart. See the team photograph above.

FJSC Under 14 Blacks Saturday team were in action against Ormskirk West End.   FJSC had the major share of possession on a difficult playing surface.  West End were always in the match and FJSC had to work really hard to win 2-1 with a goal each from Ben Harris and Man of the Match Connor Howells.

On Sunday FJSC Under 14 Blacks had to travel to Burscough for an early 9am kick offmatch against Southport FC. The Blacks were reduced to a squad of just twelve players for the match which made rotation very difficult for the management team.  Under the circumstances to achieve a 3-3 draw was a very good effort.  Man of the Match SebBurdett- Clarke scored twice and Will Madutlela was also on the scoresheet with an important goal.  Oskar Wood worked tirelessly and heroically in defence and Seb Burdett-Clarke and Lucas Lewis who shared goalkeeping duties also deserve a special mention for making some important saves.    

FJSC under 14 Whites put in a really good effort against a strong FCFC  Orange team but lost 6-3. Eoin Dwyer scored a great goal in the first half by following in after the FCFCgoalkeeper had made a fine save. NoahDunham also scored his first goal for the team as the Whites were level at 3-3 at  half time.  FCFC then went ahead in the second half scoring three times all from corners.  Man of the Match was Finley Heywood who was excellent from start to finish.

FJSC Under 13 Blacks Saturday team started the Premier Cup with a 3-1 win against Lydiate Leopards FC. FJSC started well and it didn’t take long before Oscar Buch-Platt opened the scoring with a great shot from justinside the goal area. FJSC continued to push and after some very good wing play Louis O’Connor’s shot was well saved but SebGoatley was on hand to cut the ball back for Caden Walker to score to make it 2 nil. Louis O’Connor then scored the third goal.  It was a goal his performance deserved. Just before the end Lydiate scored a consolation goal.  

FJSC Under 13 Blacks Sunday team went into the match with Marina Sands knowing it was a must win game in the Premier Division.  There were some good overall patterns of play on a tricky pitch.  The Blacks playedsome of the best football they have played for some time and worked the ball well all around the pitch. It was a good team performancewith six different scorers.   Isaac Jones, Oscar Buch- Platt and Caden Walker all scored two goals each. Finley Scott , Louis O’Connor and Charlie Richardson added one goal apiece in the 9 -0 win. The result takes FJSC Blacks into second position in a very closely contested division.

FJSC Under 13 Whites hosted title chasing Southport Hesketh. In windy conditions neither team managed to get the ball down. Southport Hesketh looked dangerous from corners, but it was FJSC who took the lead with a counter attack. Nik Kostakis beat the off-side trap to score after a great assist from Gregory Houghton. Southport Heskethcontinued to press, and a series of crosses finally told, with an unfortunate deflection for an own goal. Just on the stroke of half time a mix up from another cross led to Southport taking the lead.

The second half continued in a similar pattern.  Southport Hesketh having most of the ball and possession but Formby stayed in the game and after a quick counter which led to a free kick at the edge of the box Archie Marronsuperbly scored for an equaliser. FJSC were holding on at 2-2 for a well-earned point but were undone late in the game from another great cross which was met with a perfectheader for the winning goal for Southport Hesketh. The FJSC Whites team had playedbrilliant and the defenders in particular.   The Man of the Match was Noah Lace for an all-round solid performance.  

FJSC Under 12 Whites Saturday team drew 1-1 with Netherton Athletic but still hold a very slender one point advantage at the top of theHightown Winter Premier League.

In the Winter Championship Division FJSC Under 12 Blacks Saturday team’s winning run continued with a 6-1 victory over Clay Brow.  The Blacks are league leaders by two points.

On Sunday FJSC Under 12 Whites narrowly lost 4-3 to JN Sports Madrid in the West LancsJunior League.

Also on Sunday FJSC Under 12 Blacks recorded an impressive 6-2 win over Holy Rosary.

FJSC Under 12 Reds lost 8-1 to 11 Soccer Coaching in the Craven Minor League Championship Division.    

FJSC Under 11 Blacks and Netherton Lions served up a goal fest. Formby burst into life early when Idris Jones collected the ball in midfield, glided past defenders with a mazy run and unleashed a swift left foot strike that found the bottom corner. Moments later, the pressure continued. An Asher Fields corner sparked the move. Isaac Melton showed sharp awareness to slide the ball across to Noah Underwood, who calmly converted to make it 2 nil. The Lions were not in the mood to roll over and scored with a superb twenty yard free kick which rocketed into the top left corner. FJSC responded and Idris Jones delivered a perfect cross that Alex Rowley met with a  precision header to restore the cushion at 3-1.

Still, the Lions showed exactly why they were never out of the game. Two sharp breakaway goals pulled them level at 3-3 which turnedthe final ten minutes into a nerve jangling sprint to the finish. Digging deep when it counted most, FJSC found one last surge. Alex Rowley and Jack Hansen applied relentless pressure on the Netherton Lions defence, forcing the breakthrough and Jack Hansen slotted home the decisive fourth goal.

It was a tremendous end to end encounter packed with quality goals and determination from both sides. Idris Jones was deservedly voted Man of the Match for a superb all round performance. A goal and an assist, but just as importantly, energy and leadership when it mattered most.

FJSC Under 10 Whites played well against Redgate Rovers Green.  Unfortunately at times there was a need for some attacking players to help the defence.  As a result a few goals were conceded which may have been avoided.  Oliver Parrish played well as a striker and Otto Johnson was unlucky with a penalty.  Joseph Elsey made some good savesin goal and Elliott Dyment came on and scored after only ten seconds.

FJSC Under 10 Blacks travelled away to play FC Sandgrounders.  On a breezy, sunlit spring morning, the scoreline told one story, but the game itself told another. It was a competitive contest throughout, with both sides working tirelessly from first whistle to last.

Sandgrounders proved clinical in front of goal, combining powerful finishing with sharp movement in the final third. Their goalkeeper also played a decisive role, producing several excellent saves at key moments to prevent the momentum from shifting.

FJSC, however, were far from overrun. They created numerous chances through determined pressing and positive attacking play, but couldn’t quite convert when it mattered most. On another day, with a little more composure in front of goal, the outcome could have looked very different.

The performance levels from both teams showed commitment, resilience and quality. Credit to Sandgrounders for their efficiency, and to FJSC for their spirit and refusal to let the game drift away.

A tough result — but a contest played in the right spirit and with plenty of positives to build on.

After an excellent performance last week FJSC Under 9 Reds continued their league campaign against the Burscough Dynamos. Throughout the first half the Reds were up against a committed Dynamos team. The Reds did however create a number of opportunities but failed to test their goalkeeper. Isaac Kamel did however go on a mazy run and scored an excellent goal towards the end of the half.

The second half was a similar game with both sides taking it in turn to create and squander opportunities. Ed Makinson did however create the Reds second goal with a full length of the pitch run which culminated in a shot which was parried by the keeper and bundled home by Alex Kirkby.  This goal set up an exciting finale to the match. As the Reds pushed forward in search of an equaliserDynamos scored their fourth with the last kick of the game. Man of the Match was Ed Makinson.  

FJSC Under 8 Whites started their match against Redgate Rovers Blacks at a fast tempo and in a dominant opening spell played some of their best football of the season so far. For the first threequarters of the match in attack the Whites were very dangerous and in defence rock-solid . The passing, movement, and offtheball was very good and FJSC went into a substantial lead by half time. One of thegoals came from what was arguably the best passing move the team has ever put together.

In the second half full credit to Redgate whocame back well as the Whites seemed to ease off slightly allowing Redgate Blacks to find a way back into the game. Redgate showed good spirit, grabbed a few goals, and reminded the Whites that a match is not overuntil the final whistle. FJSC responded when it was needed and added another goal to restore control.

It was an all-round team performance. In defence Corey Flynn, James Witterick, JimmyDuckworth and Anders Carter were brilliant at the back, reading danger early, timing tackles perfectly, and keeping things organised. Corey Flynn, in particular, produced a standout defensive display and fully deserved Player of the Match.

In midfield and attack Izzy Radcliffe, CianO’Farrell and Sammy Porter worked tirelessly.The energy and linkup across midfield set the tone and kept Redgate under pressure. Scoring the goals were Cian O’Farrell with a hat trick,  Sammy Porter with a brace and Anders Carter.

FJSC Under 8 Blacks played Crosby Youth.  Ollie Jones, Harry Brown, Archie Parrish, Albee Fairhurst and Man of the Match Jonas Ebo all  scored in a good team display.

FJSC Under 7 Whites were in action against Southport Athletic Reds and edged a twelve goal thriller. Kayden Dowdall bagged two early goals breaking away and finishing strongly. William Laugley was solid as usual at the back making some great challenges. A further goal from Kayden Dowdell and another well taken goal from Albie York strengthened FJSC’s hold on the game.

In the second half Southport got back into the game despite a number of good saves from Toby Woodcock in goal.  Running down the wing Albie York managed to score from an impossible angle and was contender for goal of the game alongside Kayden Dowdall who hit a screamer in off the cross bar. The Whitesswitched off towards the end of the matchallowing Southport to score a couple of timeswhich made for a nervy finish until ShayanPalin scored very late on  with a cool finish into the bottom corner.

INTER CLUB SECTION

It was another very enjoyable morning of Inter Club football despite heavy rain at eleven o’clock.

Amongst the goal scorers on Saturday were Josh Kefford, Arthur Pollard, Noah Kamel, Will Osborne , Rupert Jones, Jack Vine, Michael Woodvine,  McEddy Osei Assibey,Oscar Craven, Charlie Griffiths, Zac Hooson-Jones, Jacob Holton and Chase Lowen.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS FOR SATURDAY 7th MARCH AT DEANSGATE LANE PLAYING FIELDS

9.30am- 10.40am       Year Two

9.30am –10.40am      Year Six/Seven/Eight

10.00am – 11.10am.  4’s and Reception.  

10.00am 11.10am.    Year One

10.45am- 12.00pm    Year Three

10.45am -12.00pm.   Year Four/Five

NEW MEMBERS IN ALL INTER CLUB AGE GROUPS ARE VERY WELCOME.  

COME ALONG AND SEE IF YOU ENJOY IT.

CLUB NEWS

The new FJSC Under 5’s will be playing theirfirst ever match against Crosby Stuart nextSunday morning.  This brings the number ofteams representing FJSC up to twenty-seventhis season.  This is the highest number of teams that FJSC has fielded for many years.