Match Reports Under 8s

Kirkham Lions started this away fixture against a Blackpool Rangers side that was without a couple of their regular players on the day. Almost immediately Kirkham went on the attack and pinned Blackpool Rangers back in what set the scene for the tone of the first half throughout. A Will Gargett cross-shot found its way into the box and Josh Butcher was quickest to react poking home just in front of Luke Sevens. Moments later it was 2-0 as Sevens crossed and this time Gargett poked home in front of Butcher. A lovely run and cross from Gargett found Sevens free in the box who slotted home first time to increase the lead further and although Blackpool Rangers were having the odd foray into Kirkham territory it was pretty much one way traffic. A clever piece of thinking from Adam Parkinson, taking a free kick quickly on the half way line released Butcher who ran on to score coolly making the half time score 4-0. A couple of very timely interceptions from Josh Marshall kept the score at zero as he continues to grow into his defensive role.

Kirkham started sluggishly in the second period and it wasn't long before Blackpool Rangers scored as the Lions pushed up too far and were caught, that soon became 4-2 as a shot somehow squeezed in at the near post of Luke Holding. However the Kirkham team were undeterred and a superb 3 man move including Gargett, Sevens and Parkinson saw the latter strike a post but clinically Gargett followed up, 5-2. Blackpool Rangers continued their search for goals and it was only the save of Luke Holding when faced with a one on one that kept it 5-2, this was ably followed by man of match John Parkinson's blocks and tackles to keep Rangers at bay. However Blackpool did get a reward for their effort as they reduced it to 5-3 with poor marking at a corner allowing a free shot on goal.

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Much the same as the first game Kirkham started the more dominant force with man of the match Liam Bradley particularly impressive with driving runs from the midfield, twice forcing good saves from the keeper. Kirkham went in front in fortuitous style as a Bradley corner was punched into his own net by the keeper but the second, not long in coming was all about John Jo Morris as he cut in and drilled a shot that thundered against the post and Chris Bridges did as we've been instructing the boys to do in following up to score. Just before half time the dominance was complete as Morris reacted first in the box to shoot into the far corner.

The second half was not as frantic as the first and both teams struggled to find much rhythm but Morris was trying his best to get another goal as Kirkham still had the upper hand territorially. As Jacob Stewart and Harry Curwood continued to repel any Blackpool Rangers attack a quick break saw the Rangers keeper spill a cross for Bradley to score. Morris eventually doubled his tally as he ran from the halfway line and drove it across the keeper into the opposite corner for 5-0. Kirkham's copy book defensive game was ruined as they caught on the break and Rangers nippy little forward gave John Parkinson no chance but after that, apart from an effort on goal from Thomas Edwards, there was little else in the way of goalscoring opportunities.