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 6 of the season.
Results
PFC Under 15 4-1 Halshaw Moor
PFC Under 10 Meerkats 9-1 FC Strikerz Fire (Cup)
Hindley Town Blacks 2-0 PFC Under 10 Panthers
Astley Bridge Aces lost to PFC Under 9 Rhinos *
PFC Under 9 Pyhtons lost to Leigh Genesis Power *
Chadderton Vipers lost to PFC Under 8 Scorpions *
PFC Under 7 Pumas beat Westbury Warriors*
PFC Under 7 Tigers lost to Radcliffe Borough Bulls *
* Results are not to be recorded for U7, U8 and U9 matches as per league/FA rules.
Reports
PFC Under 9 Pythons v Leigh Genesis Power
Saturday was a first for the Pythons who suffered a second defeat on the trot against a very strong but fair Leigh Genesis.
It was a very even first half football wise but the Pythons as usual missed a hatful of chances.
The second half was much of the same with nothing between the teams but with us missing more chances, Leigh made the Pythons pay when they took the lead through a scrappy goal.
Things could have been a lot worse but for a top penalty save by Joe which kept us in the game.
We continued to create chances but were undone in the last minute when Genesis scored their second from a free-kick.
I was pleased with the effort from the Pythons but we really need to take our chances when they come along.
— Brian Ahern
PFC Under 7 Pumas v Westbury Warriors
Prestwich Pumas struggled to get going in this ‘late’ kick-off and were quickly two goals down as Westbury took advantage of the home side’s sluggish start.
But as Leo and Adam entered the fray after ten minutes, the Puma’s fortunes changed. Firstly through Leo pulling a goal back before Umair hit home to bring the scores level.
Leo then controlled the Westbury ‘keeper’s clearance just short of half-way before sending a superb volley back over the stopper and into the roof of the net giving the Puma’s the lead.
Leo poked home shortly after for his hat-trick and Prestwich’s fourth while Umair again found the net for the fifth.
The Puma’s were on fire now and Leo squeezed one in from a tight angle to make it six-two at half-time.
But just as the second quarter of the game was dominated by Prestwich, the visitors enjoyed the same after the break, showing great spirit and determination to amazingly drag the scores level with four goals without reply.
Back in the balance, it was anybody’s game. Puma’s ‘keeper Charlie and AJ swapped positions with that latter reacting well to turn a deflected effort around the post.
Ash, Adam and Umair all went close with chances for Prestwich, while Westbury at the other end also had opportunities to grab a late winner.
But then Leo found space on the right and unleashed another long-range effort that found the net in off the far post. Cue wild celebrations from the Prestwich players and parents!
However, there was just time left for Westbury to have a chance to get back on terms again following the award of a free-kick on the edge of the box.
And it was Charlie the hero as he ‘took one for the team’, getting his tummy in the way of a fierce goal-bound drive leaving him in a crumpled heap on the floor as the full-time whistle blew.
— AlanM
Prestwich Under 7 Tigers v Radcliffe Borough Bulls
Sadly no goals for the Tigers this week and although there weren’t many chances against an energetic and organised Radcliffe Borough Bulls side there were signs of improvement from a team that is still noticeably progressing week on week.
It took a whole 15 minutes to concede a first goal with the Tigers defending doggedly against the Bulls who pressed them back in their own half. Tom’s strong defensive presence was matched by man of the match Alex as they together with Bodhi and Elliot offered Joe more protection than in previous weeks. The first change bringing Kieron on, maintained this defensive strength and the Tigers started to push into the opponent’s half with Tom in particular carrying the ball forward more regularly.
The first goal came as the Tigers were caught on the hop after a substitution and the second followed quickly after, this one being a bit harsh on Joe who bravely blocked the ball twice before it was scrambled over the goal line. A throw in from Bodhi put Elliot in on goal but he was muscled off the ball just before he could pull the trigger and a third goal was scored by Radcliffe just before halftime.
The Tiger’s levels of concentration are much improved and don’t dip as much as they did a few weeks ago. In the second half the game opened up with more chances for the Tigers though they were hurt by some quick counter attacks finding them out of position. Luke shot into the side netting from a corner but it was Elliot who was the main attacking outlet with surging runs through the middle. Bodhi distributed the ball well releasing Elliot a couple of times.and Alex and Kieron in particular kept running and nagging their opponents to the very end. The Tigers settled again in the last quarter of the match though still couldn’t quite find the Radcliffe net.
The Tigers don’t give up even though they haven’t played a close game yet. A strong finish and an organised start are great building blocks, they just need to work on the bit in the middle and then the goals will start coming!
–Nigel Holmes
Match Photo’s – PFC Under 7 Pumas v Westbury Warriors
