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 7 of the season.
Results
PFC Under 15 4-3 Bromley Cross Crusaders (Cup)
Tika Taka Galacticos 2-3 PFC Under 10 Meerkats (Cup)
Horwich Steamers Blues 1-2 PFC Under 10 Panthers (Cup)
PLCC Nomads lost to PFC Under 9 Pythons *
PFC Under 9 Rhinos beat Bolton County Cyclones *
PFC Under 8 Scorpions drew with Woodbank Red *
Bridge Eagles lost to PFC Under 7 Pumas *
Seedfield beat PFC Under 7 Tigers *
* Results are not to be recorded for U7, U8 and U9 matches as per league/FA rules.
Reports
Tika Taka Galacticos 2-3 PFC Under 10 Meerkats (Cup)
This was a top class cup tie with both teams giving it everything, Tika Taka have only lost once this season and it wasn’t hard to see why.
Lewis opened the scoring after a great passing move from the goal-keeper all the way up to the other end of the pitch.
Tika Taka fought back and the match was very intense with tough tackles going in but the Meerkats were equally as strong.
Alexander scored a goal after another well worked move but the opponents bounced back to score again and level the match at 2-2.
After yet another attack from the Meerkats, Alexander scored the winner to cap a great cup-tie and the away side celebrated in style.
Liam was the man of the match and the team effort was brilliant with great support yet again. Well done!
— George Marsh
PLCC Nomads v PFC Under 9 Pythons
Outstanding is the word that comes to mind. After two defeats, the Pythons totally outplayed a top Nomads side.
Early chances as usual went begging and Nomads broke away to score. But three well worked goals for the visitors changed the game.
The first came from Finlay after great work down the wing by Adam (who played his best game so far), then Harvey scored after latching on to a pass from Mathew and then a rocket finish from Finlay put the Pythons in the driving seat.
Lewis, Luke and Jayden all looked good at the back but a good goal by Nomads just before the break meant the scoreline was a lot closer than it should have been.
But not to worry as the Pythons totally dominated the second half.
Great work from Mathew saw him set up another for Harvey who then completed his hatrick with a good strong solo effort.
Sam and Glebs worked hard and Joe in goal looked sharp and alert.
It was a great team performance and we should have won by a bigger margin. Well done boys!
— Brian Ahern
PFC Under 9 Rhinos v Bolton County Cyclones
This was our best performance yet against a Bolton County team that had just come down a division.
We started slow and they took the lead but once we settled and started to pass the ball we looked superb. The first half was a close encounter and at half time we were leading 5-3.
In the second half we took total control and dominated the game resulting in a superb and convincing win for the Rhinos. Man of the match went to Ryan for scoring 5 goals.
Well done to all the boys for a fantastic performance.
— Gary Bergman
Bridge Eagles v PFC Under 7 Pumas
The Pumas finally broke their win-loss-win-loss pattern and recorded a consecutive success for the first time away at Bridge JFC in Bamford.
Prestwich raced in to an early two-nil lead with strikes from Sam H and Ash but the home side hit back to level up the scores.
But when a corner from Adam was handled in the area, the referee had no option but to award a penalty to the Pumas which Leo despatched hard and low to the ‘keeper’s right.
The Eagles equalised for a second time before Sam H’s sledgehammer left foot found the net again for the Pumas.
Leo poked home from close range to stretch the visitors lead before Ash got his second of the game soon after.
Prestwich could have easily scored quite a few more if it wasn’t for Bridge’s second-half goalie who was putting in a stunning performance and keeping his side in the game.
Umair’s goal from his late cameo appearance finally broke the Eagles resistance and looked to have made the game safe. However, the home side had other ideas.
Bridge scored twice in quick succession to narrow the deficit to just two goals and it was squeaky-bum time for the Pumas.
Charlie did well to narrow the angle and save from an Eagles forward but then Leo and Ash broke forward with the former slotting home to settle the nerves and ultimately, settle the match.
— AlanM
Seedfield v PFC Under 7 Tigers
The Tigers were playing away at Seedfield on a mild, dry morning and before the game started the consensus among the parents was that the pitch could do with a cut.
More detailed analysis of the pattern of the game than in prior weeks revealed that the Tigers seem to concede goals at the start of each quarter before finding their feet.
Seedfield were well organised with a defender staying back at all times but they took their chances too. They claimed a couple of quick goals before Tigers settling into a solid side that had the measure of their opponents. Tom and Alex were keenly winning the ball as ever and distributing it well. More space between Bodhi and Elliot encouraged them to pass between each other and Elliot carried the main attacking threat up the centre though having to work that bit harder to push the ball through the long grass.
In the second quarter Tom drove further forward and Kieron used the full width of the pitch to try to find a way past their opponents. With just one goal conceded this quarter Tigers were still in the game at half time and definitely proving equals in the middle of the park.
Within seconds of changing ends another goal had been given away but then the discipline came back, and as Bodhi and Sam were brought on Tigers enjoyed their best spell of the match. They pressed and Bodhi and Kieron made best use of the space. Elliot’s persistence paid off as another of his surging runs resulted in a shot that the goalie saved but couldn’t hold as he went to ground. Elliot showed great awareness to pounce on the ball and take advantage of an open net. The Tiger’s tails were now up and Bodhi nearly doubled their goal tally soon after with a long range shot that went just wide. Tigers kept the ball in their opponent’s half but were almost caught on the break with a shot that hit the crossbar after an audacious chip over keeper Joe.
4-1 down with just 10 minutes to go and dominating play, the supporter were more hopeful than in the last few weeks. Sadly the game slipped away in the last quarter with 3 quick goals for Seedfield as the Tigers bunched up and lost their previous balance and shape. Kieron’s re-introduction steadied the ship as he showed his ability to keep possession and run with ball but the Seedfield goal was not breached again.
Man of the match awarded to Elliot for his strength, tenacity and a goal which had the supporting parents jumping up and down with delight.
–Nigel Holmes
Match Photo’s – Bridge Eagles v PFC U7 Pumas
Match Photo’s – Seedfield v PFC U7 Tigerss
