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Match of the week: Clifton R Under-14s 1 Blackpool R U14s 3
Good Evans strikes Blackpool double
THEY say bad luck comes in threes but the same applies to good fortune as well, at least as far as this Blackpool Rangers team is concerned.
They have won all three AllStars matches of the week in which they have featured – and they have won all three so far this season as the club’s under-14s.
Both Blackpool and hosts Clifton Rangers have several new players this season who are quickly finding their feet with their new team-mates.
And they helped to provide a competitive, end-to-end contest at Mereside. Indeed, both managers named one of their new boys as man of the match.
Rangers had the wind in the first half and were quick to take advantage, scoring inside 10 minutes to stamp their authority on the game.
Striker Matthew Evans showed a devastating combination of pace and power, scoring both Blackpool’s first-half goals.
Evans’ power was particularly evident for the opener as he raced on to a ball over the top to fire past the Clifton keeper.
The second goal later in the first half was similar, Evans again latching on to a through ball to power away from the defence and finish clinically.
Clifton gradually got a foothold in the game and began to create chances, though they found the visitors solid at the back.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, all was not lost for Clifton.
Blackpool Rangers U14 v Clifton Rangers U14 at Mereside.Clifton Rangers U14 team. Back, from left, David Stawczyk, Austin France, Zak Sharp, Paul Drinnan, Sam Crilley, Ben Rossall and Kieran Harrison. Front, from left, Steve Wilson, Josh Whitaker, Matt Cullen, Adam Cutts (captain), Paul Booth, Jack Fear and James Murphy
However, they did have to push up and chase the game, leaving themselves vulnerable on the counterattack.
And Blackpool seized an opportunity to end any home hopes within 10 minutes of the restart as Alex Dunkerley scored a tap-in.
Both sides rang the changes in the second half and Clifton began to apply more pressure, which was rewarded when they scored the game’s final goal.
It was James Murphy who took a leaf out of Evans’ book, latching on to a ball out of defence by exceptional new signing David Stawczyk to finish with a flourish.
Clifton boss Andy Murphy applauded Blackpool’s confident keeper Paul Stoney, who controlled his penalty area behind a defence well marshalled by Mathew Snape and Harry Taylor.
Midfield man Leigh Clarke was Blackpool’s most influential player.
Blackpool Rangers U14 v Clifton Rangers U14 at Mereside. Back, from left, Back, from left, Mathew Snape, Thomas Kershaw, Campbell Simpson, James Wilson, Sam Hodgson, John Davis, Rhys Tucker and Alex Dunkerley. Front, from left, Michael Gaynor, Marshall Maggs, Harry Taylor, Paul Stoney (captain), Leigh Clarke, Matthew Evans and Jack Goodridge
Besides outstanding Polish recruit Stawczyk, Clifton’s other impressive newcomers were Paul Drinnan and Jack Fear.
Kieran Harrison also had a strong game and distributed the ball well for Clifton, operating wide on the right and later in midfield.
With Blackpool sitting pretty joint-top of the Pizza Division after three matches, it’s no surprise that manager Gary Stoney approves of the Youth League’s new structure this season – and Clifton approve of the revamp too.
Clubs at the various age levels are again split into Domino and Pizza divisions, though its no longer a case of north Fylde teams occupying one division and those from the south entering the other.
Instead, the split is based on last season’s performances, with the stronger teams contesting the Domino division.
The aim is to create more competitive leagues and fewer one-sided scorelines, and so far it appears to be working well.
Despite having just the one point – from a draw with Staining – to show for their efforts so far, Clifton boss Andy Murphy says his side has improved with every game.
He said: “It was our first season last year and we learned a lot. It was very difficult in the league we were in but the players learned not to let their heads drop if they conceded a couple of goals.
“I’m sure we can look forward to more close games this season.”
Leigh Clarke (left) and James Murphy
The men of the match
DAVID STAWCZYK (Clifton Rangers)
The defender competed well throughout, laid on the Clifton goal and got forward well.
One of the new signings who have made an instant impact at Clifton, May have scored a spectacular goal himself had he shot instead of passing at the end of one excellent break.
LEIGH CLARKE (Blackpool Rangers)
IT was also a new signing who made the biggest impact for the winning side.
The central midfielder is set to play a key role this season on the evidence of his outstanding displays so far.
He trod on every blade of grass and ran the show for Blackpool on Sunday.
The managers' match verdict
ANDY MURPHY (Clifton Rangers)
IT was a good game but Blackpool had the edge. They controlled the first 15 minutes and the early goal put us on the backfoot, but I felt the rest of the first half was even. We had chances but they capitalised on our mistakes.
After they went 2-0 ahead I didn’t think we’d get back into it and I made sure everyone got a game. But I couldn’t fault any of our players and we are getting better week by week.
GARY STONEY (Blackpool Rangers)
I thought we dominated the game. Clifton are a good dogged side and they came at us more with the wind second half, though we did make quite a few substitutions.
We lost four of last season’s squad but the new recruits have fitted in straight away and done well.
Overall I think we have a stronger squad than last season and I have to be delighted with the start we’ve made.
Sam Hodgson
Clifton Rangers keeper Zak Sharp
Paul Booth
Alex Dunkerley (right) and Leigh Clarke
Foxhall achieve charity goal
FOXHALL Under-9s have made an instant impact on the Poulton Primary League – not just with their winning start but also with a caring ‘sponsorship deal’ with a difference.
Their shirts don’t bear the name of a company investing in the club – instead they promote a charity the club is raising money for.
Co-manager Neil Wealthall explains: “My wife’s mother was in Trinity Hospice in Bispham.
“All the nurses were really great and we were so impressed by everything about the place that we decided to adopt the hospice as the team’s official charity.”
And so Neil’s wife Pam paid for the name of Trinity to have pride of place on the shirts, where a sponsor’s logo would normally appear.
The club also hold various fundraising events for Trinity Hospice and plan to make regular cheque presentations.
They handed over one for £500 on Saturday ahead of the opening league matches against Warton Typhoons.
And an excellent day for Neil and fellow boss Rob Connolley was completed when the under-9s stormed to two victories over Warton Typhoons, the A team winning 3-1 and the B team 11-2.
CHEQUE MATES: Roger Wolstenholme with the under-9s players (from left): Back row, Rob Connolley (manager), Ian Drinnan, Phil Watts, Neil Heatherington and Neil Wealthall (manager); middle row, Matthew Watts, Adam Warrington, Connor Slade, Jake Barrett, Matthew Callagher, Matthew Graffin, Declan Fisher, Jack Burgoyne, James Wolstenholme and Ashley Wealthall; front row, Reece Ormerwood, Josh Connolley, Ashley Barron, Ross Minshull, Joshua Walsh, Cirain Yates, David Sanderson, Elliot Lake and Joe Seear
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