Skelmersdale Junior Football



Skelmersdale Junior Football

 

Under 8

Skem Utd 4 West Lancs 3

The better start was made by West Lancs who had the first chance and they nearly had the ball in the net after a scramble, but Skem cleared just in time. Keeping the pressure on, West Lancs had a one on one chance but were foiled by Skem keeper Robert Ward. West Lancs found a deserved opener when a corner came out to the no.9 who, with the outside of his foot, fired the ball into the roof of the net. Skem were on the back foot for most of the first half and found themselves further behind when from a throw a great turn in the box saw the ball lashed into the net to make it 2 - 0. Skem nearly pulled one back just before half time when Joe Williams found space but saw his effort crash back off the post.

A few substitutions saw Skem have a better start to the second half. They started to create a few chances, but were finding West Lancs' keeper Lewis Sumner in outstanding form. Joe Williams flashed a chance wide of the post and then thumped another shot against the bar. With Skem pushing forward at every opportunity they were punished for a third time when West Lancs exploited gaps at the back to slot past the Skem keeper. Even with such a massive hill to climb, Skem heads did not drop and they pressed forward in search of a goal. Several Skem chances looked like getting them back in the game, but Lewis Sumner was pulling off some quality stops to deny them. It fell to Raj Apull to make the breakthrough for Skem. His sheer persistence in midfield saw him find a way past the West Lancs' keeper to pull one back. A swift break from Skem resulted in Joe Williams finding the back of the net and peg it back to 3-2. Belief swept trough the Skem ranks as they sensed they could get something from this game. Great work down the left from Alfie Pye saw him cross for Joe Williams, who made no mistake to level the match at 3 - 3. West Lancs still threatened on the break and nearly scored a fourth, but saw their shot saved. It was Skem though, who found the next goal when Raj Apull released Joe Williams to seal a great comeback when he made it 4 - 3.

Skem MoM - Raj Apull. West Lancs MoM - Lewis Sumner

 

Under 9  

Old Skem Boys 1 Dynamo Rangers 0

Old Skem Boys swept aside Dynamo Rangers with an excellent display of passing football to maintain their 100% record and stretch their lead at the top of the table further. OSB started the game well and Giggsy, Nicky and  Michael came close in the first 10 minutes. The game was open however OSB were dominating the play and creating chance after chance, but the all important first goal looked like it would not arrive and Rangers were now creating a couple of chances which Deako saved well. The breakthrough did come in the shape of an inspired substitution by the manager Tony saw Alex replace Michael and with virtually his first touch rolled the ball past the Rangers' keeper to give OSB the lead. OSB started the second half as they had finished the first and their superiority nearly increased the lead with both Oliver D and Alex coming close. The lead should have been doubled when an excellent overhead kick from Michael was saved one handed by the Rangers' keeper, who was easily their best player and man of the match. Dynamo Rangers did fight back however Jacko made a number of important tackles, and was outstanding in the defence, with Oliver E ensuring the clean sheet and the win. James and Luke also came off the bench to bolster the side and see the game through which leaves OSB clear at the top of the table and surely favourites to win the league. MoM was Jacko

 

Under 10 

Old Skem Boys 1 Dynamo Rangers 0

OSB showed no signs of rustiness on their return to action after the enforced winter break. In an excellent contest the team produced their best performance so far this season to overcome table topping Dynamo Rangers. The decisive moment came two minutes from time. Bradley Dillon's clinical left foot finish into the bottom corner delighting the OSB fans. With no substitutes to call upon all seven players performed heroically to register their second victory of the season. Luke Howson was deservedly named Man of the Match after a flawless performance on the left flank. His midfield colleagues Stuart McLoughlin and Michael 'Captain' Cook battled courageously alongside him, with goalkeeper Michael Swan and the defensive pairing of Anthony Knowles and Steve Sutton providing a solid platform for the rest of the team.

 

Under 12

Skelmersdale JFL 4 Merseyside & Halewood JFL 1 ( interleague 1/4 finals)

This was an amazing display by the Under 12s. First half goals by George Lomax, Coner Martin and Jordan Slater saw Skem 3 – 0 up at half time. Merseyside & Halewood battled hard to get back in the game in the second half, but a great cross by Lomax to Slater, who finished superbly finished the game off. Halewood got a late consolation to make it 4.1. MoM George Lomax.

 

Under 14's Junior Football  -  Craven Minor League Report

Town Green 1 Skem Rangers 3 

Both teams knew the importance of this match, as it was played at high tempo and passion with some excellent football by both teams. Town Green took the early initiative making the plays and spreading the ball around testing the Ranger's defence which stood firm. 15 mins into the half a break away was made by Rangers and Paul Bennett squared the ball to James Edgar to lift the ball over the keeper, 1-0. Town Green pressed on and had the better of the midfield, a through ball to Jacob Henderson saw him break away and bring the game level 1-1. Just before half time Danny Hastings went down the wing and crossed the ball over to James Edgar who struck a sweet goal to put Rangers into the lead.

The second half saw several chances for both teams and both keepers were kept busy. The game was evenly poised when a goal mouth scramble and a fine save from Luke Weedal pushed the ball out, only to fall to Ranger's Dale Slater to sweep the ball into the net 3-1. Again the game edged and flowed and with minutes remaining Rangers were awarded a penalty, which Luke Weedal saved.

Man of the Match: Callum Owen.

 

Girls

U11 League cup Quarter Final

Euxton 1 Dynamo Rangers 2

Rangers dominated this game from the start forcing Euxton on to the back foot. The pressure finally paid off when Abby played a through ball to Leah in the box who turned the defender and scored with a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Euxton rallied briefly and forced two good saves from stand in goalkeeper Eleanor. A long clearance from Eleanor found Leah in the box. An excellent first touch gave Leah the space to turn the defender again and score with an almost identical goal.

The second half saw Euxton having more of the ball, but strong defending from Gabby and Poppy and an excellent midfield performance from Alice, Abby and Hollie reduced the threat.

Rangers were able to mount a series of attempts on goal, but good saves by the Euxton keeper and the post prevented Rangers from extending their lead.

A late goal by Euxton made for a tense last five minutes but Rangers rallied to secure a well deserved win and a place in the semi final.

WOTM  Leah

 

Town Green 1 Skem Athletic 6

Skem really went to Town in a thrilling League Cup quarter final game.

Quickly getting into their stride, Skem made early attempts on the Town Green goal and were unlucky not to score after two minutes when Laura hit the post from a superb run and cross from Megan Woodward, clearly setting the stage for what was to come.

Both teams were now playing some breathtaking football, producing a wonderful display worthy of a final not just a forth round clash.

Managing to breach the Town Green defence Skem struck first when Laura Butler opened her account, slotting home her first to put Athletic in the lead.

With the first goal in the bag Skem stepped up a gear, taking the game to Town Green at every opportunity, which paid off when Olivia Weedall blasted home Skem's second after some excellent forward passing and movement.

Skem were now enjoying long periods of possession and were passing the ball round with great precision.

Equally as dynamic at the back were Sam Chadwick and Emma Valentine who expertly dealt with every Town Green attack with ease, plus a faultless display from Katie Woodward in goal who was equally as composed.

It wasn't long before Skem added a third goal from a superb through ball from Grace, she found Laura Butler unmarked, who went on to coolly rifle home her second of the match.

With half time approaching Town Green rallied, mounted an attack down the left side and managed to hit a great shot into the roof of the net to get on the score sheet and end the first half 3 – 1 to Skem Athletic.

Not wanting to lose the initiative, Skem piled the pressure on Town Green in the second period until Grace Vella stepped up and thumped home a cracker from outside the box to take Skem's tally to four.

With victory in sight, Skem grew more confident, moving the ball around with pace and mounting constant runs at the Town Green back line and now with the added pressure of Sarah Price joining the attack, Athletic looked untouchable.

Skem were now controlling the midfield with Becky Mercer and Tamsyn Halford linking up brilliantly to hammer home Skem's advantage.

The relentless assault on the Town Green goal paid off when Grace Vella added a fifth from a superbly taken corner with Olivia Weedall bagging her second and Skem's sixth late on to send Skem Athletic marching on to the next stage of this League Cup Competition.

Woman of the match for Skem Athletic under 11s was Grace Vella.

 

               



Original article...