Well done to FJSC U11 Blacks Sunday team who have reached the Craven Minor Cup Final

Well done to Formby Junior Sports Club Under 11 Blacks Sunday team on reaching the Craven Minor Cup Final after a very exciting semi-final.  It was also a weekend of strange results with seven teams drawing their matches.  There was also a double success for FJSC Under 9 Whites and a very enjoyable competition which the club’s two Under 6 teams took part in.  

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCHES

FJSC Under 11 Blacks went into their Craven Minor League semi-final against Southport and Ainsdale Amateur Whites knowing that a win would put through to a cup final for the third year in a row. The game started in a frantic fashion with both teams looking to take control. Good wing play by S & A in the early moments was well handled by both Finley Scott and Alfie Forsyth in defence against two extremely fast and skilful wide players. Both teams continued to probe looking for a break through and half way through the first half, a good move through midfield saw Louis O’Connor with a well-timed finish to put FJSC ahead. S & A didn’t sit back and drove forward and equalised just before half time with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area. At 1-1 at half time both teams had it all to play for.

The second half continued much as the first half and soon after the break S & A took a 2-1lead after again great wing play down their flanks.  FJSC pushed forward and gained a penalty a few minutes later. The penalty was superbly saved by the S & A goalkeeper but Caden Walker was first to the rebound to make it 2-2. FJSC continued to go on the attack looking for the winner but S & A then won a free kick close to the edge of the FJSCbox. A free kick that wouldn’t look out of place in the premiership was then dispatched into the top corner leaving Oscar Phillips no chance in the FJSC goal. 3-2 down and FJSC had it all to do. However again the boyspushed on and a cool finish from Charlie Richardson quickly equalised for a 3-3 scoreline. With five minutes left, a great run by Caden Walker created the space for Charlie Richardson to run into and was picked out with a great pass from Louis O’Connor. Charlie Richardson made no mistake and scored to give FJSC a 3-4 lead. Eventually the final whistle went and FJSC where through to the final again.

Even though this game was a semi-final it was played like it was the final and enough credit can’t go to both teams who stood together at the end to congratulate each other on what was a real tough and tense game.  Man of the match was Alex Barr. See photo above of the squad.

FJSC Under 14 Blacks took the lead after only two minutes play against Lydiate FC with an Archie Ogden goal. FJSC then doubled the lead when Lydiate scored an own goal and the Blacks went further ahead before half time when Archie Ogden scored his second goal of the match thanks to an assist from Joseph Frost.  A Lucas  Bowles  second half goal rounded off a good 4 nil win.  Man of the match was Berat Ulusoy.  

FJSC Under 14 Blacks Sunday team played Santos FC.  FJSC could not gain any advantage in the first half playing down a slope and also with the wind.  Santos adapted better in the second half scoring twice without reply.  Man of the match was Isaac Loxham-Keenan.

FJSC Under 13 Blacks played  a cup semi-final match away against Southport Athletic Reds who play in a division above the Blacks. After a bright start from both teams, Southport won a corner and following a goalmouth scramble put the ball into the net to go 1 nil up. Shortly after, Southport doubled their lead, taking advantage of the blustery conditions when an own goal was scored following an unlucky deflection from a long throw.  FJSC then settled into the game and they scored a quality team goal as first Aaron Pickard played the ball out from defence and found Abe Rice on the left wing. Abe passed it forward to Patrick Fleming who drove forward and found Ethan Richmond on the opposite wing with a cross field pass, and he finished well from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-1

In the second half, FJSC looked to control possession more in what was a physical battle but it was Southport Athletic who broke away on the right to score their third goal of the game, going 3-1 up. FJSC continued to try and create chances but in doing so left a gap at the back, and in the final moments of the game Southport scored another to finish 4-1 winners, as they progressed into the final. Man of the match was awarded to Ethan Tucker who had a fantastic attitude, stood up to the physical challenges, dominated in the air and showed lightning pace when needed.

FJSC Under 11 Blacks went into the Hightown Junior League game knowing after last week’s result, their chances of winning the title was over and it told in this game. FJSC struggled to get any foot holding in the game with Redgate dominating the play. By half time it was 1-0 to Redgate and no matter what changes to formation or players FJSC just couldn’t get up for this game or have any real impact. Half way during the second half Redgate doubled their lead and though FJSC created a few chances afterwards the outcome of this game was never really threatened. Man of the match was Ben Webster.

FJSC Under 10 Whites played FJSC Under 10 Reds. Five goals were scored in a very exciting first half.  Former Reds player Zac McHugh scored a fine hat trick for the Whites but the FJSC Reds team was full of confidence after their first league win of the season last Sunday replied with a fine finish from open play from Tommy Collins and then a clinically taken penalty from Tom Murphy.

The Whites had waves of second half attacks but the Reds defended resolutely.  As the minutes ticked by in this nail biting thriller the Reds’ Tommy Collins latched on to a Whites clearance and rocketed a superb shot into the net for a wonderful equaliser.  It was a great match between the two FJSC teams and everyplayer deserves congratulations on their contribution to make the match so

memorable.  The Red’s Man of the Match for a battling midfield display went to Joel Wright.      

FJSC Under 10 Blacks were in action against Redgate Rovers Greens.  This was another very good match between two very evenly contested teams.  Henry Moors made some excellent saves in goal to deny Redgate.  He was helped by  very impressive centre backs Harley Evans and Rory Rankine who had the additional support from the timely tackles made by Max Fairhurst.

An early goal scored by Oliver Hall -Gleeson settled FJSC Blacks down with Albie Graham, Jacob Holton, Joseph Kenyon, George Croughan and Huey Stevenson all producing determined efforts when in action to ensure that FJSC Blacks kept a clean sheet.  Joint Players of the Match were Harley Evans and Rory Rankine.

FJSC Under 9 Whites Saturday team once again put in a great team performance in the cup against JN Sports. FJSC Whites had the better of the early chances with Seb Hodgson hitting the woodwork three times before he grabbed the opener.   Seb quickly grabbed his second of the game with his sharpness in the box. The second half saw the Whites continue to dominate and Henry Williamson struck a lovely finish when played through by Jack Haggart’s perfectly weighted pass. The result was capped off when Man of the Match Sean O’Melia got himself a deserved goal through his work rate and fierce finish.

From the first whistle FJSC Under 9 WhitesSunday team were relentless against a very good Southport Trinity Blue team. The chances came quickly and the deadlock was broken through Man of the Match Jack Haggart who struck a thunderous free kick that flew into the top corner. He quickly grabbed his second goal after a mazy dribble on the wing and another fine strike into the net.

The second half saw the Whites raise their game further with wave after waves of attack.   A clever through ball from Henry Williamson set up Seb Hodgson for his firstgoal and the weight of pass allowed Seb to score with a first time shot.  Seb Hodgson was back in the goals moments later with anotherfine finish from a very tight angle. The final goal was through the tenacious James Smith who drove through the heart of the opposition defence and wouldn’t be stopped from grabbing his goal.

FJSC Under 9 Blacks had a really exciting 0-0 game against quality opposition in Lower Breck.   Both teams worked really hard and created plenty of chances.  Olly Stinson was a rock at the back reading the game very well and putting in plenty of blocks and tackles.  Max Byford in goal started as he meant to go on – rushing out in the first few minutes to block what looked a certain goal.  Max however saved the best for last with a stunning double save in the last few minutes.   All of the boys were superb but joint Man of the Match went to Max Byford and Olly Stinson. It was a very good team performance.

FJSC under 9 Reds hosted Southport Athletic U9 Whites. FJSC battled hard to find a gap but both defences and midfields were solid.

Neither team could find openings as every ball was contended.  Both teams did come close on a few occasions, but the chances were few and far between.  The final result was 0-0 which showed the brilliant commitment from all areas of the team.

FJSC’s whole team played tremendously well but the standout performance went to Isaac Ignatowicz who from the start was instrumental in defence and attack. He made some terrific interceptions and drove hard down the left to create chances. This earned him the Man of the Match accolade. 

FJSC Under 8 Whites played at home against Southport FC and started the game quicklywith some early chances which were saved by the opposition goalkeeper. Southport managed to capitalise on a quick counter attack slotting the ball into the net, and quickly doubled the lead.   Although trailing FJSC pressed to try and get a goal back but Southport added to their goals.  From a quickly taken throw in Harry Hughes managed to score.   Charlie Ormesher also found the net with a brilliant strike.  All the boys continued to try their hardest to get back into the game but it wasn’t to be their day.

FJSC Under 8 Blacks were away at Southport Trinity Blue and what a game it was. The two teams  were very reserved for the first tenminutes but after that the game opened up and it was end to end football with twelve goals being equally shared by the two high scoring teams.  Southport Trinity appeared to have gotthemselves into a comfortable position with a good lead but FJSC showed great character with a fantastic performance and pulled the game level with seconds to spare.

A stand out performance and Player of the Match was given to Alfie Alston who scored five goals and didn’t stop working hard for the team from kick off to the very end.  Jack Brown was on the scoresheet as well with a well taken penalty.

FJSC Under 6 Whites and FJSC Under 6 Blacks played in the Sefton Development League Wigan Athletic Cup Competition.

FJSC Under 6 Whites did very well in their group and went on to reach the semi-final stage of the competition.

FJSC Under 6 Blacks played a total of eight short matches.  They played six group games and finished in fifth place and as a result qualified for the European Conference Cup.  The Under 6 Blacks narrowly won their semi-final match with Akidemy and played ESC Grey in the final.  All the boys played very well but opponents ESC Grey edged the match 2-1.   All the boys were absolutely fantastic and had only a squad of six available.. They competed brilliantly. All the matches were really even and tight.

Tayo Popoola, Cole Jones and Max Healey all took turns in goal and made some great saves. Joshua Wright continued his fine record of scoring, making it twelve goals in two weeks. Thomas Mitchell with his usual captain’s display, bagged another three goals taking his total so far this season to an unbelievable 59 goals!  However FJSC Under 6 Black’s Player of the Tournament was to Theo Thomas who was brilliant in every game, defending heroically.

INTER CLUB SECTION

FJSC welcomed some new young footballers last Saturday who were four year olds and Reception to join the group.  Muddy pitches added to the excitement and goalmouth scrambles in many of the matches added to the enjoyment.

Last Saturday’s scorers included – Arthur Higgins, Sebastian Downes, Anders Carter, Peter McCormack, Joseph Kenyon, Tom Murphy, Charlie Ormesher, Lucas Lewis, Evan Meehan, Sylvan O’Hara, Harry Osbaldeston, Noah Bate, William Madutlela, George Kallianiotis, Noah Ratnasingham, Ethan Murphy, Ethan Donegan and Alfie Harcombe.

INTER CLUB ARRANGEMENTS

At Deansgate Lane Playing Fields on Saturday 3rd Febuary 2024 on the pitches nearest to the FJSC Clubhouse.

TIMES

Goalkeepers.     9.00 am – 9.30 am  

Years 6/7.           9.30 am - 10.45 am

Years 8/9.           9.45 am - 11.00 am

4’s & Reception 10.45 am - 11.45am

Years 1/2.          10.45 am -11.45 am

Years 3, 4 & 5 .  11.15 am - 12.15pm

NEW MEMBERS IN ALL AGE GROUPS ARE VERY WELCOME.

For more information contact Frank Rourke at stellathecat4@gmail.com 

INTER CLUB NEWS

Advanced information for parents.   Inter Club football will be on both half term Saturdays (10th February and 17th February) as so many sessions have had to be cancelled.

OTHER INTER CLUB NEWS

For new members joining now the subscriptions  will be -  £15 for Reception, £25 for Year 1 and £35 for Year Two and above.  Inter Club coaching will still be £2 each Saturday.

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM NEWS

The FJSC Under 6 teams are looking for recognised goalkeepers on Sunday mornings.  Please let the club know if interested.

FJSC is hoping to form a new Under 5 team very soon.  If interested, parents are asked to please bring their son’s along to Inter Club on Saturday at 10.45 to 11.45am for coaching and a fun match.