Fylde coast youth football review: Blackpool League, YMCA, BFC Girls

The U7 season started with a get-together for all the teams at Lytham JFC.

The rain was torrential but the sun arrived along with the players and the occasions was enjoyable for all. T

There was plenty of good football on show for all the parents and spectators, and it was encouraging to see teams enquire about joining the league.

Development fixtures took place for U11s and again the feedback was positive, with children benefitting from playing.

U13 games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches but two matches took place, with Kirkham Juniors Reds and Blackpool Rangers Tangerines playing out a very close contest.

Kirkham edged it 5-4 thanks to four goals from Liam Geraghty and Theo Cunliffe’s strike. Rangers’ scorers were Jacob Johnson, Ethan Hayes and Zico Allen (2).

Warton Typhoons came out 8-3 winners over FC Rangers.

In the U14 division, Squires Gate FC travelled to play Poulton FC at Cottam Hall and proved too strong in the second half,running out 7-0 winners. Scorers for Squires were Iman Hussain with four, Danny Fryer (2) and an own goal.

Lytham Maroons got off to a winning start by beating Thornton Cleveleys Whites 4-1 away, Jake Evans scoring the consolation.

A match of the two Blues saw Lytham Blues and FC Rangers Blues meet at Park View, where FC Rangers took the spoils 6-1.

An inter-club match between Squires Gate Reds and Squires Gate Titans saw the Reds win 9-0 but the Titans put in a fantastic effort all the way to the end.

FC were 14-4 winners over South Shore Youth in this season’s first All Stars match of the week.

U18 teams were involved in Lancashire FA Cup matches and league games.

In the league, Blackpool Rangers were 7-0 winners at FC Rangers with goals by Tom Amos, Konnor Jones (2), Jordan Caine (2), Luke Marshall and Jake McVeigh.

The other league match saw a new St Annes team take on an established Staining one, who proved too strong.

Scorers in the 6-1 win were Danny Siddall with two, Will Whittaker,Seth Laycock, Joel Heaton and Matt Crooks.

The three county cup ties which went ahead all saw Fylde coast teams beaten by out-of-town opposition.

Clifton Rangers put a great fight against Woodbank Juniors and were level 1-1 at full-time, eventually losing out on penalties 4-3.

AFC Blackpool lost to Colne FC 8-0 and Foxhall Hoops went down to Winstanley Warriors 8-1.

After claiming a place in the second round of the Lancashire FA Cup the previous weekend, YMCA Under-12s also made a winning start in the nine-a-side league with a 6-0 victory over St Annes Greens at a blustery and wet Seafield Road.

The home side played flowing football and their pacy attack always caused problems.

Striker Reece Henderson bagged a hat-trick, with Luke Docherty, Dom Healy and the impressive Ali Ruman all on target.

Hazem Abuzguia was also notable on YMCA’s left and was unlucky not to get his name on to the scoresheet. He had an effort disallowed. The Greens notched a deserved consolation goal in the second half.

In the 11-a-side competition, YMCA U13 eased into the second round of the county cup with a 9-0 win over Spirit of Youth All Stars.

They quickly adapted to the difficult conditions and took control to lead 4-0 at half-time.

YMCA continued to have the upper hand, with the outstanding Harry Gledhill bagging a hat-trick.

Kaiden Pirrie was also notable and claimed a pair, with the impressive Noah Mawene also on target and having a hand in several other goals.

Strikes by Yash Passi, Dan Slawson and Owen McConnell completed the scoring.

YMCA U15s kicked off their league campaign with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Fleetwood Gym.

Driving rain and a blustery wind made conditions difficult for both sides but YMCA just had the edge in the first half, leading 2-1 at the break.

They took full control after the restart, adding six goals as Gym struggled against the elements.

Jacob Grice led the way with a hat-trick, and also on target for YMCA were Tom McCann, Jack Robinson, Leo Walker, Nathan Crook and Josh Dolby-Armstrong, playing his first league game since a serious leg injury 10 months ago.

Blackpool FC Girls Under-13s began their West Lancashire Girls League season with a 5-1 home win against a determined Euxton North.

Classy passing and movement enabled Alicia Trewin to claim a well-taken hat-trick, while captain Alice O’Brien scored from 20 yards and player of the match Abigail Porter deserved her goal, running Euxton ragged down the left.