KJFC Under 10 Match Reports

Sat 26th September - Poulton Primary League

Kirkham Juniors 2 v 1 St Annes "A"

Tensions were running high for today’s games, as St Annes’ form so far this season has been excellent, seeing them unbeaten. Before kick off we were dealt a blow with our first team captain Charlie Masters unable to play due to illness. This meant a shuffle in the team line up which resulted in Max Stothard moving to defence.

From the whistle St Annes started on the front foot and Oliver French was forced into making a fantastic save in the first couple of minutes. St Annes were still dominant and took the lead in the 5^th minute. Kirkham didn’t allow this to affect them; if anything it spurred them on, putting pressure onto St Annes in this period and were unlucky not to score, just skimming the post. The match flowed from end to end. In St Annes’ next attack Kirkham’s defence had to battle hard with St Annes just missing their chance. But in all this defending Max Stothard was injured and had to come off. This meant another shuffle and led to Phillip Jaundrill coming on in defence. St Annes took the upper hand in an exciting period of play and in a quick counter attack; Kirkham moved the ball from one end to the other leading to Tim Collinson getting an equaliser. Half time 1-1.

St Annes started the second half strongly again resulting in Oliver French having to make plenty of saves. St Annes had a first shot saved; Phillip Jaundrill blocked the rebound that followed. Again, Kirkham went on the counter attack resulting in Tim Collinson hitting the post. Some super defending from Charlie Stanley and Phillip Jaundrill kept the scores level in Kirkham’s biggest test so far this season. In this fantastic end-to-end game both teams were fiercely battling it out for a win. The midfield trio of Sam Oldfield, Kieran Wilkinson and Tim Collinson were tireless in piling on the pressure. In the dying seconds of the game, a free flowing move involving Kieran Wilkinson, Lucas Wilson and Tim Collinson resulted in Tim scoring the winner with the last kick of the game. Final score KJFC 2 – 1 St Annes.

Kirkham Juniors 2 v 1 St Annes "B"

The consequences of the first match meant Kirkham had no substitutes for the second game. St Annes started this game as strongly as they had the previous one, resulting in a score in the first minute. Once more, Kirkham didn’t let this stop them and took hold of the game, pressing forward leading to them having the majority of possession. A free kick taken on the half way line by Bradley Harrison was cleverly helped on by Harry Weare to Callum Heffernan who finished well to level the score. Kirkham carried on dominating the play with fine midfield work from Daniel Edmondson, Harry Weare and Callum Heffernan resulting in some fine chances from the ever-running Jack Eckman. St Annes took the ball and put the pressure onto Kirkham, ending in Oliver Booth making a fabulous save. St Annes carried on attacking but were thwarted by strong defending from Christopher Wilson and Bradley Harrison. Another Kirkham attack led to a corner taken by Callum Heffernan finding Harry Weare on the edge of the box who hit a superb lob over the keeper. Half-time 2-1.

The second half saw Christopher Wilson and Bradley Harrison battling hard against a dominant St Annes. Kirkham used Jack Eckman’s speed to try to relieve the pressure, making some intelligent runs at the St Annes defence. In another exciting match, both teams were giving their all. In the dying minutes, St Annes continued to attack but Kirkham’s solid defence ably backed up by the safe hands of goalkeeper Oliver Booth resulted in a win for the home team. Final score KJFC 2 – 1 St Annes.

Well done boys, these were 2 excellent wins. This was the best we have seen you play so far. Keep up the good work.

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Sat 5th September - Poulton Primary League

Staining Juniors 3 v 1 Kirkham Juniors "A"

A great start to the season with some typical Lancashire weather! Staining made a solid start that saw them attacking straight away. Oliver made a fine save in the first few minutes to keep the score at 0 – 0. Staining kept coming forward but excellent defending from both Charlies (think they must have had their weetabix today) kept them at bay and allowed Kirkham’s midfield of Kieran, Sam and Tim to get into the game. Some solid teamwork up front from Tim and Tom led to Tom having a shot saved and Tim hitting the post. Half time 0-0

The second half started with the game flowing from end to end as it had in the first half resulting in another good attempt from Tom that stopped on the line and would have ended up in the net if it weren’t for the long grass. Staining took the lead with a good goal. Kirkham didn’t let their head s go down and went on the attack with substitute Callum, who had taken Sam’s place, just unable to get his foot to a ball that went across the goal. Kirkham carried on attacking and Tim evened up the score with an excellent shot from the edge of the box. The game continued from end to end with both defences keeping the score at 1-1. More fine midfield work led to another good attempt from Callum which he was unable to convert. Staining went on to take the lead. Kirkham went all out to get an equaliser but Staining grabbed a last minute goal to end this entertaining, evenly matched game 3 – 1.

Man of the Match – Tim Collinson.

Staining Juniors 1 v 9 Kirkham Juniors "B"

Kirkham went on the attack from the kick off with Jack taking the ball and running through the heart of Staining, only to be thwarted bay the keeper saving his shot. Kirkham’s midfield of Harry, Daniel and Phillip took a strong grasp of the game producing another fine chance for Jack from a great cross by Phillip. Kirkham dominated possession of the ball, leading to a first goal from Jack. Staining came back into the game but strong defence from Bradley and Chris kept them away from keeper Oliver. A strong challenge and pass from Chris saw Harry take the ball and make a fine run before moving it on to Phillip who scored with a left foot finish to extend the lead to 0 - 2. In a rare attack from Staining, they managed to pull a goal back making it 1 – 2. Kirkham didn’t let this put them off and carried on their domination of the game. Half Time 1 – 2.

The second half saw substitutes Lucas putting on his gloves to replace Oliver in goal and Max taking Harry’s place in the centre of midfield. Kirkham started the second half in the same pleasing fashion as the first, on the attack. This led to a second great goal from Phillip to make the score 1 - 3. Kirkham’s confidence grew which saw fine passing movements between front man Jack and the midfield trio. A fourth goal from Kirkham soon followed, with Jack doing the honours. Kirkham kept the pressure on, not allowing Staining into the game and Max drilled home a fifth goal. Staining made a rare break that was thwarted by Lucas making an instinctive save. Kirkham went back on the attack resulting in another goal for Max to make the score 1 – 6. Ryan came on to make his league debut for Kirkham taking Daniel’s place on the right of midfield. Further fine inter-passing led to Max scoring his hat-trick, 1 – 7 in Kirkham’s favour. Not to be outdone, Jack capped off a fine display scoring his hat-trick making it 1 – 8. With only three minutes remaining, Man of the Match Phillip came off to a standing ovation swapping places with Daniel. Kirkham continued going forward looking for more goals. Intelligent passing between the speedy duo of Ryan and Jack led to Daniel tapping the ball home to make the score 1 – 9 just seconds before the final whistle.

Man of the Match - Phillip Jaundrill.