Match of the week: Squires Gate (U-13) 0 Blackpool Ranger (U-13) 12
Rangers a ray of hope for Squires
HIGH-FLYING Blackpool Rangers had some words of comfort and reassurance for the Squires Gate side they scored a dozen goals against on Sunday – “We know exactly how you feel”.
Struggling Gate need look no further than Sunday’s opponents for inspiration in their bid to turn their fortunes around.
No team better shows how determination, dedication and team spirit can triumph over adversity than Rangers and their manager Graham Smith.
When Smith’s side were representing Rangers at under-11 level two seasons ago, they finished bottom and lost all three games to Gate.
Their improvement has continued steadily since and as early under-13 title contenders they have already amassed more points than last season.
The key to their success, Smith believes, is sticking together through thick and thin.
He explains: “We have had most of these players together since under-sixes and as a team they have notched up almost 1,000 appearances.
“What is important is that these players know what it’s like to be beaten. They know it isn’t a nice feeling and they have turned it around with the right attitude and determination.”
And the genuine team spirit at Rangers is demonstrated by Sunday’s scoresheet, with eight different players on target.
These are certainly tough times for Gate manager Dave Tebbutt, who has had to build virtually an entire new side since last season. They are short of players – their 12 on Saturday included two goalkeepers – and if rewards are earned for battling bravely against adversity Gate will get theirs soon.
Gate defended well early on, but after Rangers captain Jamie Gibson had opened the scoring on 10 minutes his team never looked back.
Ashley Calland doubled the lead five minutes later with a great individual strike.
Striker Declan Lynch and Chris Davis were next on the scoresheet to make it four at half-time, enabling Rangers to experiment with different formations in the second half.
The reshuffle worked a treat as they scored twice more in the first five minutes, with Tom Kitt’s goal followed by Gibson’s second.
Central midfielder Gibson went on to add two more, taking his match tally to four and receiving the ultimate accolate from his manager: “Jamie is probably the best player in the league.” Though on this occasion it was central midfielder Davis who took the man of the match accolades.
Reece Evans scored a cracker from 25 yards and Kitt netted a second.
Josh Rieley deserved his goal for a hard-working performance and George Miaris got forward from left-back to score his first for the club in style.
Gate refused to stop trying and plugged away until the end, with their central defensive duo of Jamie Clements and man of the match Liam Rich earning particular praise.
Rangers’ only defeat so far this season has come against leaders Staining, though they have played two fewer matches and manager Smith is already looking ahead to their rematch in a fortnight as one of the season’s defining matches.
THE MANAGERS’ MATCH VERDICT
DAVE TEBBUTT (Squires Gate)
This was always going to be a difficult game for us against one of the top sides.
We had a couple of chances but they were just too strong. The lads are trying ever so hard but we dod need new blood
GRAHAM SMITH (St Annes)
Credit to Squires Gate for keeping on going but we were just too strong for them. The points were the most important thing to keep us in contention at the top but the goals will be a useful confidence-booster with some difficult games ahead.
THE MEN OF THE MATCH
LIAM RICH (Gate)
The central defender had a busy afternoon but never stopped running from first whistle to last and never allowed his head to drop.
CHRIS DAVIS (Blackpool Rangers)
The midfielder really stuck to his game on the left side. His workrate, hold-up play and ball retention were all first-class.
WELL HELD: Gate keeper Danny Hall makes a save
SQUIRES GATE (from left): Front row, Chris Blackburn, Peter Riley, Danny Tebbutt, Liam Rich and Matthew King. Back row, Ashley Capstick, Grant Whyte, Adam Raybould, Danny Hall, Jamie Clements, Aidan Parr and Jonathan White
RANGERS (from left): Front row, Josh Rieley, Jordan Bullen, Jamie Gibson, Lee Smith, Reece Evans and George Miaris; back row, Calum Wilson, Ashley Calland, Robbie Corner, Liam Rattray, Chris Davis, Declan Lynch and Tom Kitt
COLLISION COURSE: Chris Blackburn (front) and goalscorer George Miaris
FINE FINISH: Ashley Calland gives the Gate defence no chance as he fires home Rangers’ second goal
STRETCHING HIMSELF FOR RANGERS: The outstanding Jamie Gibson challenges Gate's Jamie Clements
Jamie Gibson challenges Gate's Jonathan White
Kirkham’s climbers hit summit
KIRKHAM Juniors have taken over at the top of the under-10 league, replacing Fleetwood Town who were without a fixture as half-term holidays caused several postponements.
Thomas Gargett got the only goal in a hard-fought A game against Poulton Youth, while Adam Dinsley, Matthew Neill and an own goal wrapped up a 3-0 B win.
The only other game in division A saw Thornton Cleveleys take maximum points against BJFF with two 3-0 wins.
The A marksmen were Jack Smith (2) and Thomas Burshini and the B scorers were Liam Sharpe (2) and Harry Rowe.
Blackpool Rangers Whites have gone three points clear at the top of division B following a maximum at JFC Kirkham.
Lewis Christy (3), Taylor Gradwell (2), Ellis Jolly (2) and Luke Stevenson were on the mark in the 8-0 A outcome.
The B contest was much closer, with the Whites edging it 2-1 through Kyle Harris and Josh Stanton. Matthew Bamber replied.
FC Rangers are joint-second with Foxhall after sharing the points at Blackpool Rangers Blues. Christy Donnelly’s hat-trick was the feature of the Blues’ exciting 4-3 win in the A game, in which Ben Webster got the other goal, and Elliot Green (2) and Jamie Cleland replied.
Rangers B were 2-0 winners through Ben Adams and Matthew Siddall.
Form team Foxhall can go top if they win their match in hand following 5-0 and 2-0 wins over Spirit Of Youth.
Callan Rae (3), Joshua Casson and an own goal made up the A tally and Jordan Ratcliff got both in the B game.
Early-season strugglers Layton Juniors continue to pull away from the bottom after sharing the points at Warton Typhoons. Warton won the A game 3-1 through Matthew Maynard (2) and Samuel Walsh, with Jamayne Rodaway replying.
Layton B turned the tables 6-1 through Zac Gayton (3), Ben Harrison (2) and Dillon Conlon, with Connor Langley getting the consolation.
Despite a determined display by St Annes A, a double by Sammi Lee gave Poulton Town a 2-0 A win. A hat-trick by Aaron Cooper-Bowes was the feature of Poulton B’s 7-1 win. Luke Clemson (2), Rhys Oates and Connah Warmisham got the other goals and Isaac Fluss-Tramontano the consolation.
'B's ARE BUZZING: Action from the Under-9 B match between Lytham Juniors (maroon kit) and YMCA
CLOSE CONTROL: Ryan Hadley on the ball for YMCA B
Lee Casey for Lytham B
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