Under 13s – Results
September 2011
4th – Away to Penwortham St Teres’a Yellow – Lost 1-13 (Scorer: Greeny)
6th – Home to Gregson Lane – Lost 0-16
11th – Away to Fishwick Rangers – Lost 2-8 (Scorers: Paul & Kieran)
18th – Away to Hesketh Bank – Lost 1-6 (Scorer: George)
25th – Away to Chorley Wanderers – Lost 0-13
October 2011
2nd – Home to Real Mahad – Lost 3-6 (Scorers: Charlie, Kieran & Stephen)
16th – Away to Walton le Dale in League Cup 1st Round – Lost 1-10 (Scorer: Kieran)
30th – Home to Penwortham St Teresa’s Yellow – Lost 1-5 (Scorer: Charlie)
The boys provided their best attacking performance i have seen and but for an excellent display of goalkeeping skills from the Penwortham custodian we would have scored many more goals in an entertaining game against a side that beat us 1-14 on the opening day of the season at Worden Park. We started this game with a new central defensive partnership of Daniel and Kieran partly forced on us by the absence of Clarkey with a broken thumb ! Thomas G and Reiss were also unavailable due to other commitments so just 12 boys available. After 3 minutes we conceded our first goal before George had a run at goal but the Penwortham keeper was quickly off his line to smother the ball at his feet. Then Paul shot wide from a good position before Penwotham made it 0-2 on 9 minutes when the boys allowed a Penwortham player to run across the 18 yard line unchallenged before shooting and scoring in off the post. After only 10 minutes Kieran suffered a foot injury and was replaced by Thomas E. The Reds hit back and Greeny put an excellent ball through to Charlie on the left who finished with aplomb for his second goal in successive league games to make it 1-2. Paul and George were linking up well down the right and causing problems for Penwortham. Our full backs, Stephen and Callum were clearing their lines and playing the offside rule as well as they have so far and Daniel seems to be relishing his new role in the centre of defence with another tenacious performance. Nish, our long throw specialist, was playing centre forward and he hooked the ball through for Charlie who missed a chance to equalise. Penwortham then enjoyed a spell of pressure and Jamie made an excellent save from close range on 28 minutes. But from the resulting corner Penwortham extended their lead to 1-3 with another unchallenged effort on goal. In central midfield Priyan and Greeny worked tirelessly to protect the defence as Penwortham sensed another rout but the boys held firm until half time. The first chance in the second half for the Reds fell to Thomas E who had a shot well saved. Then on 50 minutes George had a great run and shot which was brilliantly saved at the expense of a corner. But just as it seemed we may score Penwortham made it 1-4 on 53 minutes with a well struck shot from distance. Penwortham completed the scoring on 58 minutes to make it 1-5 and then in a two minute spell Paul went clean through but shot straight at the keeper, George had a snap shot pushed away for a corner and then from the corner Charlie went close. On 65 minutes Thomas E shot wide from a good postion and our last good chance fell to Paul who shot from a wide position but once again the Penwortham keeper made a good save. Penwotham hit back and just before the end on 68 minutes Jamie made a great save from a one on one to keep the final score 1-5.
NOVEMBER 2011
6th – Home to Chorley Wanderers – Lost 0-3
Following a good performance in the previous game the starting line up was unchanged for the game with league leaders Chorley Wanderers with the boys anxious to avenge a 0-13 defeat at Chorley in September. The Reds started the brighter and George caused panic in the Chorley defence with one of his mazy dribbles which earned a corner. But Chorley responded with a pacy attack down our left and excellent cross for a tap in to open the scoring on 4 minutes. Chorley applied plenty of pressure but the expected goal spree did not happen as the boys produced a terrific defensive performance, superbly marshalled by Daniel and Kieran in the centre of defence ably supported by the no-nonsense Stephen and tenacious Callum. The team defended from the front and resticted our visitors to half chances as Jamie enjoyed a quiet half by our standards but dealt confidently in collecting the ball when called upon to do so. On 30 minutes we were awarded a free kick about 20 yards from goal but our specialist Greeny saw his shot easily saved by the Chorley keeper. Just before half time on 34 minutes George had a good run down the left but then shot wide from a good position. An excellent first half performance made it very difficult to replace three of the boys with the subs. Chorley started the second half well and should have scored on 36 minutes but did make it 0-2 just 4 minutes later with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after the boys had wasted a number of opportunities to clear the ball. On 50 minutes excellent link up play between George and Thomas E put Charlie clear but the Chorley keeper reacted quickly to smother the ball. After 55 minutes Chorley made it 0-3 with a fortunate goal as the penalty area resembled a pinball machine but the boys responded well and battled to the end to produce another good performance despite another defeat.
13th – Home to Hesketh Bank – Lost 1-5 (Scorer: Paul)
Confidence was high for our return match with Hesketh Bank following an excellent performance by the boys in last week’s game with Chorley and a fairly even game in the reverse fixture in September. But it was our visitors who started the brighter and Jamie had to make a smart save after just 3 minutes. On 12 minutes Hesketh Bank spurned a glorious opportunity to score as the Reds, with Reiss returning at right back in an otherwise unchanged back four, weathered the storm and slowly but surely started to apply some attacking pressure. However, our visitors broke clear to open the scoring on 18 minutes. Our first decent chance fell to the lively Paul who made a great run down the right but then shot wide from a good position on 23 minutes. Hesketh Bank responded with another dangerous attack which resulted in a corner which was converted from an unchallenged header. Jamie then made a good save from a fierce long range shot before Kieran embarked on a mazy 50 yard run but in my oponion was unfairly impeded before he could deliver a shot. The game was end to end. Nish was causing some panic in the visitors defence with his long throws but the ball would not bounce favourably for us to score. On 28 minutes Hesketh Bank made it 0-3 with a well taken goal and just before half time on 35 minutes a free kick from Kieran landed in the 6 yard box but George just failed to connect with the keeper stranded. The second half started like the first with Hesketh Bank on top and they should have increased their lead on 42 minutes when they went clear down the right but Jamie made the save of the game from point blank. However, a minute later it was 0-4 when another unchallenged corner was easily converted. Six minutes later it was 0-5 but the Reds did not collapse and battled back into the game on 53 minutes with a wonderful goal from Paul. Kieran had been moved in a central midfield position and he threaded through the pass of the game to put Paul clear down the right and his thunderous 20 yard shot nearly broke the net ! The goal lifted the boys and they finished the game strongly as Paul put George clear but the excellent Hesketh Bank keeper reacted smartly to gather the ball and then Kieran and Paul linked up well for the latter to have another shot which unfortunately went wide. Kieran made a run on goal but the keeper smothered the ball bravely at this feet before he could get his shot away. Another defeat but plenty of effort from the boys who competed well throughout the game and but for two concentration lapses at corners who knows what might have happened.
JANUARY 2012
15th – Away to Croston Juniors – Lost 3-7 (Scorers: Charlie 2 & Paul)
The Reds finally returned to action after a 9 week break with our first meeting of the league season with Croston Juniors. We fell behind after only 2 minutes when from our own free kick the home side broke away and scored with ease. The boys responded well and Paul shot wide following a good move and then George shot wide from another chance before Croston made it 0-2. But the Reds continued to create their own chances in a thrilling game. Priyan and Charlie both had shots that went wide and over respectively and the boys finally got their reward when Charlie scored from close range. But the boys failed to take the initiative and Croston took control and jamie was helpless in preventing 2 more goals from Croston. Just before half time the Reds hit back and Charlie scored an excellent goal for his and the Reds’ second goal. 2-4 at half time. The second half did not see as many chances and was pretty even in terms of possession and it wasnt until the last 4 minutes that 4 more goals were scored. Croston scored in the 67th and 68th minutes to effectively win the game but a minute later Paul broke clear to score a well taken goal but with seconds to go Croston were awrded a penalty when Callum was penalised for an excellent tackle and the home side duly dispatched the penalty with the last kick of the game.
FEBRUARY 2012
26th – Away to Real Mahad – Lost 1-10 (Scorer: Kieran)
It was 6 weeks since the last fixture and the good progress made by the boys over the last few games was absent in this fixture hindered by the lack of games and strange refereeing decisions. Our cause was not helped by having no keeper to start the game as Jamie was racing to to the game from Manchester Airport and took hisplace between the sticks on 18 minutes. By that time the Reds were already 0-2 down although we had created a good chances for George but his shot was well saved by the Real keeper. Everyone at the game was puzzled when Real were awarded a penalty which was converted. Once again the Reds responded well and finished the half well as Paul shot wide and then Real missed a good chance before scoring to make it 0-4. It was end to end stuff and Charlie put the ball into the net but was alleged to have been offside. No decisions were going for us as usual and we had to thank Daniel H for some last ditch tackling and interceptions to keep Real at bay but just before half time they did score again before Paul dribbled the length of the pitch. Real made it 0-6 from an unchallenged corner then the Reds had a spell of pressure when Charlie had a shot saved on 42 minutes and then we were awarded a penalty for hand ball which was converted by Kieran, 1-6. Jamie made a superb save soon after before Kieran and George linked well to produce a chance for paul who failed to convert. Real finished the game strongly and scored 4 more times despite the heroics of Daniel H and Jamie at the back.
MARCH 2012
11th – Away to Gregson Lane – Lost 1-11 (Scorer: George)
It was decided to use a 4-5-1 formation instead of our usual 4-4-2 at the start of this encounter with league leaders Gregson Lane to try and resist the attacking prowess of the Champions elect but the home side dominated the first 20 minutes and scored 6 times so the cunning plan was not so cunning. I was dreading another rout similar to our first encounter which we lost 0-16 earlier in the season but the Reds are battlers and slowly got more into the game. They were finding it difficult to cope with the Gregson Lane keepers’ excellent clearances and conceded another 3 goals before half time but during the same period Thomas G threaded the ball through to send George clear on the left. He brilliantly took the ball past the keeper but ran out of pitch before he could roll the ball into an empty net. George had another shot which was on target soon after and then went clear again but this time the keeper smothered the ball at his feet. A minute later Greeny let fly with a trademark fierce shot from distance which was saved and then had another tamer shot saved before the home side got back on top. Half time 0-9. The boys started the second half in a determined mood and their efforts were rewarded with an excellent second half performance. The loudest cheer of the day was reserved when George ended a fine move to score a well deserved goal from the first chance of the half. It was in fact a half of few chances but plenty of endeavour. Gregson lane broke away to make it 1-10 midway through the half and were fortunate to score an eleventh when they capitalised on a back pass that was not cleared in the last minute of the game.
25th – Home to Fishwick Rangers – Lost 2 -12 (Scorers: Kieran 2)
With Paul and Charlie unavailable and George feeling unwell the Reds started the game in a very defensive formation and seemed to have weathered the early onslaught from the Rangers but the visitors broke clear from an offside position to open the scoring after 5 minutes. Jamie then made the save of the season when he brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar with a spectacular diving save. Jamie kept us in the game moments later when a Rangers player went clear but had his shot saved and then put the rebound over the bar. George, who was clearly struggling with illness, had our first shot on target on 12 minutes but it was easily saved by the Fishwick custodian. Rangers made it 0-2 with a good goal before Kieran forced a good save from a fierce free kick on the right. Fishwick then gained control of the game and scored 4 times in just 9 minutes to put the game beyond the Reds who were visibly wilting in the heat. Jamie made another good save on 27 minutes and then Reiss ventured forward to shoot wide just before half time – score 0-7. With little to lose the Reds started the second half with an attacking 4-4-3 formation and for the second game in succession produced a much more competitive second half performance. They did concede another goal within the first minute of the second half but two minutes later Kieran scored a well deserved goal but any signs of a dramatic comeback disappeared as Fishwick scored twice to make the score 1-10 with over 20 minutes of the game left. The boys once again responded positively and started to apply some attacking pressure. Stephen was causing some problems for the Rangers defence with some fine runs down the right and from one of these Kieran won a penalty. He dusted himself off and dispatched the penalty with expertise for his 6th goal of the season. Rangers increased their lead on 55 minutes and again on 63 minutes but the Reds had the final chance of the game when Greeny tested the Fishwick keeper with a shot.
APRIL 2012
1st – Home to Croston Juniors – Won 3-1 (Scorers: Charlie 2 & Paul)
Due to the Easter school holidays the Reds only had 11 players available for our final league fixture of the season at home to our friends from Croston. We continued with a more attacking 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to play the game in our opponents half. After a scrappy start George broke clear but his shot was well blocked by the keeper and another good run, this time from the lively Charlie won us a corner. The game was becoming a bit of a midfield battle and Thomas E playing in an unacustomed central midfield role had an excellent first half as the Reds took control of a game of few chances. Jamie was brought into action on 14 minutes making a good save but 3 minutes later Greeny took a brilliant 25 yard free kick which hit the post. The ball rebounded to Charlie to easily score. Both George and Charlie had shots which went wide before half time. Croston responded well at the start of the second half but the Ripon defence held firm as the two Daniels and stand in full backs Priyan and Greeny were majestic. Slowly but surely the Reds regained control of the game. Stephen delivered another tenacious performance on the right of midfield both in his tackles and setting up chances. Charlie and Paul were causing problems with their pace and movement and Nish contributed with his best game as he linked up well with his co-strikers. Charlie shot tamely at the keeper from close range before he scored again, turning brilliantly to fire his shot into the net. You could feel the confidence seeping through the boys as they played their best football ever and it was no surprise when we went 3-0 up with a fantastic goal created by a mazy run from George and a great shot to finish the move from Paul. With just 8 minutes left our visitors scored with a looping header but we hit back and George shot over from a good position. Croston finished the game strongly and the last few minutes seemed to last forever. Jamie tipped the ball over from a great shot and the visitors missed a couple of half chances and a dangerous free kick position before the excellent ref blew the whistle to indicate we had won our first ever game of competitive football in the final league game of our second season.