Each week we’ll be rounding up the weekend action with news and match reports from Prestwich FC Juniors. Here’s the results and reports from week 5 of the season.
Results
PFC Under 15 1-4 Salford Juniors
PFC Under 10 Meerkats 2-1 Astley & Tyldesley Tigers
Oxford Grove 2-2 PFC Under 10 Panthers
Ramsbottom United Sonics drew with PFC Under 9 Rhinos *
PFC Under 9 Pyhtons lost to Eagley Juniors *
PFC Under 8 Scorpions lost to Bury Tigers *
Prestwich Marauders Panthers beat PFC Under 7 Pumas *
Pennine Whites beat PFC Under 7 Tigers *
* Results are not to be recorded for U7, U8 and U9 matches as per league/FA rules.
Reports
PFC Under 10 Meerkats 2-1 Astley & Tyldesley Tigers
What a great game of junior football as both teams gave it everything in a end to end match.
The Meerkats scored two goals in the first half from Oliver and Ashley and it was a great team performance again.
Astley made it a great game and the atmosphere was brilliant with Astley scoring a late goal.
We had a new ref today and he was great with the boys of both teams and helped to educate them with the rules when necessary.
Both teams and their supporters made it a pleasure to watch.
— George Marsh
Oxford Grove 2-2 Prestwich FC Under 10 Panthers
Another great but unlucky performance. We started brightly and were very much the better team, taking the lead with another great goal from Reece!
The home team then put us under a bit of pressure in the final 10 minutes of the half but our defenders Alex, Tega and Matthew, with the back up from Conrad, were all solid and not letting them create many chances.
They got back onto level terms with what could be the most embarrassing decision I’ve seen in kids football. A penalty was given as their player hit the ball against Tega’s hand from two feet away with his hands by his side and was just inside the box.
The second half started and the frustration from the first half seemed to get the boys going. We were by far the stronger team and created some good chances.
Owen and Reece grew stronger while James did run after run down the wing which led to him scoring a goal to put us 2-1 up.
We continued to press and should of made it 3-1 but Ben was unlucky as the ball got stuck under his feet in the long grass.
I felt our luck finally changed this season as we entered the last minute in the lead but for a soft mistake from a corner, Oxford equalised with just seconds to go!
Unlucky boys. If we play like we did in the second half then we will be more than OK this season.
Goals Reece and James, Man of the match was Matthew.
— Al Steele
Prestwich Marauders Panthers v Prestwich FC U7 Pumas
The Pumas topsy-turvy season continued with a defeat in this Prestwich Derby against Marauders on Sandgate Road.
Despite conceding an early goal, the Pumas hit back with goals from Leo and Ash to give the visitors the lead.
But the Pumas have struggled all season against well organised teams and four Marauders goals without reply left Prestwich chasing the game from then on.
Leo’s free-kick struck the near post before Adam’s strike shortly after cut the deficit. However, two more goals from the home side left the Pumas deflated at half-time.
After the restart, Leo slotted home from inside the box but more Marauders strikes on the break killed the game as a contest leaving the Pumas playing for a bit of pride.
Leo completed his hat-trick before finding the woodwork again with another effort from a tight angle.
Marauders wrapped up the scoring with two more late strikes and made it a thoroughly miserable morning for the Pumas.
— AlanM
Pennine Whites v Prestwich FC U7 Tigers
Game 5 of the season saw the Tigers travelling to Hopwood Hall to play the Pennine Whites and what a great display from the boys, their best yet.
The first half got off to a positive start with the Tigers retaining possession of the ball high up the pitch for long periods but they were unable to convert their early chances.
It was a tight affair with both teams going close, but as the first half progressed the Tigers began to take control of midfield. It was 0-0 for most of the half but, against the run of play, the Whites took the lead with a fortunate goal. The Tigers were determined to put things right and were hunting the ball in packs but, again, the Whites broke a couple of times when we were high up the pitch and scored two more to give them a healthy lead heading towards the break.
PENALTY!
As Elliot jinked his way into the penalty area he was crudely felled by an opponent and then took the full force of a set of studs down his arm. After a few moments, he got to his feet, clutching his arm, and bravely stepped forward to take a well struck penalty that the keeper just reached with an outstretched foot to deflect away for a corner. Hard luck on Elliot whose efforts today deserved a goal or three. His jinking and powerful runs are getting the Tigers into great positions.
It was a harsh scoreline on the Tigers who, on the balance of play, deserved to be at least level, if not in the lead. As the last few minutes of the first half saw the Tigers pressing in the Whites box, the referee sent a player with a shoelace emergency over to me and as I was working on a triple-knot technique I heard a roar from the Tigers parents that could only mean one thing. As I looked up I just caught the net rippling and the Tigers celebrating, arms aloft – their first goal of the season….and I missed it!
Who cares though, we scored, our first goal, and it was sweet. I can’t describe it because I didn’t see it but it was sweet, all the same.
Half time and only a couple of goals behind, the Tigers could walk off with their chests puffed out – a great half.
The second half was much the same. Both teams had chances to score but another own goal didn’t help matters. As the Tigers continued to press for another goal they left themselves exposed at the back which the Whites exploited to good effect. Despite their best efforts there were no more Tigers goals but at least they are now off the mark for the season. With displays like this it is only a matter of time before that elusive win comes along.
Bodhi took ‘man of the match’ but it was a close call as there were great displays throughout the team. In the end his great play, his goal and his concentration right to the end of the game secured the honour.
He was closely followed by Thomas, who put in a magnificent display at the back and showed great close control in midfield, and Elliot who, as well as showing great feet and running with the ball, took a real battering throughout the game.
Joe put in another solid display in goal and was really unlucky with some of the goals, but he made some great saves (one with his face!) and marshalled the team well from the back. Alex really came out to play in this game and, again, he made some great tackles and was as good as any on the pitch when it came to passing to a team mate. Backed up by some intelligent running Alex really came to the fore.
Once again Rowan really got stuck in and takes up some great positions, working the ball well in the second half especially with Bodhi and Elliot. Rowan gets stronger with every game and it won’t be long before he scores a screamer.
Kieron was full of running, with or without the ball, and put in some important tackles at the back and gave another solid display throughout. Jack came on with 5 minutes to go in the first half and was immediately looking to get forward, despite my instructions to stay back! He must have known better because he took the ball in midfield and played a ball through to Kieron who went on to almost score – a great pass from Jack who is getting better and better each game.
I’d like to say a big thank you to all the players for their efforts today, they were brilliant. Well done.
— Craig Short
Match Photo’s – Prestwich Marauders Panthers v PFC U7 Pumas
