B&DYFL match of the week: YMCA Orange v Elswick and Inskip Blues

The YMCA Orange Under-8s had faced Elswick and Inskip Blues in a friendly but Saturday’s match was their first league encounter.

Orange manager Dan Hawitt told The Gazette: “It was one of our best games of the season, a classic end-to-end match with both keepers making good saves.

“There has been a lot of rain but, being so close to the beach, there’s a lot of sand in our ground and the pitch holds up well.”

Dan and his Orange side came together last season, when the Elswick and Inskip club was newly formed.

After a debut season in the Poulton and District Primary League, the Blues have moved over to the Blackpool competition and manager Aaron Speight is delighted with their development.

He explained: “Our chairman, Gareth Harrop, had coached in Blackpool junior football and wanted to start something in our area.

“We started from scratch last season. All the players were new and it was quite tricky but they have come back this season with a lot of energy and their passing has really come on well.

“Now the club has another team in this age group, teams in other age groups too and a girls’ team.

“This was one of our best games. It was really exciting and it’s good to score a few goals.”

Like Aaron, Dan is a player’s parent who was new to coaching last season.

He added: “We have developed quite well and are definitely going in the right direction.

“Coaching isn’t easy but it’s really rewarding. I’m not one for shouting unless it’s to encourage the players because it’s all about them having fun.”

YMCA Orange are a mixed team and Matilda was named player of the match for her hard work, strong tackling and great eye for a pass.

Blues coaches Aaron and Iain Davidson have focused on keeping possession and staying strong.

Their player of the match, Seb, put that work on the training ground into practice, making some powerful runs and scoring his first goal of the season.

In the U18 Premier Division, Shane Wilson’s goal kept leaders Fleetwood Town Junior Whites’ 100 per cent record as they pipped BJFF Blades Blues.

Fleetwood Town Junior Reds moved into second place behind their inter-club rivals after they beat Clifton Rangers Bees 6-1 thanks to Toby Scammell (2), Alex Murray, Robbie Sumner, Raedan Shirran and Harry Dowsing.

Riley Morgan and Zak Tarpey both grabbed a hat-trick as Clifton Rangers Hornets beat Wyre Juniors FC 9-1, while their other goals came from Dylan Turner (2) and Brook Casey.

In the Championship Division, Reuben Williams and Kaleb Deans gave leaders Staining JFC a 2-2 draw with title rivals Poulton FC Blues.

South Shore Youth went second as goals from Cameron Palmer and Billy Etheridge gave them a 2-0 win at Poulton FC Blacks.

West Coast Sports Ravens beat Fleetwood Gym Wanderers 6-3 with Neil Emslie (2) and Jayden Rimmer scoring for Wanderers.