Blackpool and District Youth League match of the week: Foxhall Under-7 v St Annes Yellows U7

Under-7s action from Fishers Field between Foxhall and St Annes Yellows

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It’s never the easiest of tasks assembling a new football team and doing so this year has brought unprecedented challenges.

But for Foxhall boss Ben McKay and his Yellows counterpart Matthew Simpson, the effort has been worthwhile in seeing their charges enjoy their training and development matches.

And both managers hope to continue with their respective teams right through the BDYL age levels.

McKay told The Gazette: “It hasn’t been too difficult building the side this year. During lockdown we set up a WhatsApp and gave the players little challenges.

“Since we’ve got back into training, we’ve done all the risk assessments, started working in groups of five and expanded that. Now the games have started it feels more like we are back to normal.

“I hadn’t coached since my college days but have a level one qualification. The club were asking for help and I fancied it.”

St Annes’ manager Simpson knows all about coaching a side through the year groups, as he has with the St Annes Wrens girls’ team.

He told The Gazette: “I think it’s quite easy to get the kids involved if you make it fun, even in a year like this.

“I’ve been with the club for 10 years and they are good on the organising side, and we have very supportive parents.”

As for the game on the Highfield Road pitch, the threatened bad weather just about held off and both sides enjoyed a competitive match.

McKay added: “It’s about giving the children game time and an opportunity to express themselves.

“It was a good game from both sides and all the kids enjoyed it. And the weather just about held off, though the heavens opened just as we finished.”

Simpson added: “We always have good, close games with Foxhall. They are two good teams and everyone enjoyed it.

“Fingers crossed we can keep on going and carry on into the second phase of games.”

At the other end of the junior football age spectrum, St Annes Diamonds Under-16s played Layton Juniors Clarets. It was a great end-to-end game despite the weather, with Diamonds’ scorers being Sammy Steadman, Alfie Wilkinson, Rupert Twitchell, Jack Smith Jones and Harvey Wilcocks.

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