Match of the week: Foxhall Under-12 1 St Annes Under-12 0
Holidays can be such hard work
NEVER trust the formbook!
The one written about the domino division of the under-12 league suggested a straight forward victory for high-flying Foxhall at home to St Annes, but the visitors made them battle all the way for the three points.
In the end, a solitary strike 18 minutes from the final whistle left Foxhall still tied with leaders YMCA and St Annes still in search of their first win.
And if Foxhall manager Darren Ormerwood was less than delighted with his own side’s performance, he agreed with St Annes counterpart Trevor Remnant that the visitors had given a very good account of themselves.
They say the weather is a great leveller in football matches but so are school half-term holidays, which can force clubs to make emergency team changes as key players go away with their families for a break.
Foxhall’s Mitchel McKeown
Both Sunday’s teams at Fishers Field were affected by holidays but the enforced switch which paid off best was made by the Foxhall side.
A striker shortage resulted in Daniel Wilson moving up from the midfield and it was he who made the all-important breakthrough, racing on to a ball over the top and picking his spot with an accurate shot.
It was a fine striker’s goal by someone unaccustomed to the role.
Stretched
Wilson had other chances and it didn’t look as though the ball wanted to go in for him, but he refused to let his head go down and eventually got his reward.
St Annes’ resources have been stretched by players leaving as well as holidays, and they were forced to go into this game without substitutes.
In such circumstances, it’s hardly surprising that manager Remnant hailed this “our best performance of the season” and was reluctant to single a man of the match in a team display of great determination.
He said: “The game was played at a fast pace and it was no surprise that we were tiring by the time they scored.
“When everyone plays so well you really don’t want to pick anyone out as being better than the rest.”
And he is hoping this performance convinces his players that the elusive victory is not far away: “Let’s hope it is a turning point for us,” he said. “We are desparate for players but we have proved we can compete.”
Foxhall boss Ormerwood said: “I was a bit disappointed but we are joint-top and we have had a fantastic season so far with a small squad.
“We were the first team to beat YMCA in two years and we beat Fleetwood, who beat us three times last season, so we are obviously moving in the right direction.”
Foxhall’s Mitchel McKeown on the ball challenged by St Annes’ Fraser Flegg
THE MANAGERS’ MATCH VERDICT
DARREN ORMERWOOD (Foxhall)
We did not play well but St Annes were excellent. They came to do a job and came close to pulling it off. Their keeper was fantastic and kept them in the game. We had plenty of chances but didn’t have our shooting boots on on the day.
TREVOR REMNANT (St Annes)
It was a brilliant game played in a great spirit, and I’m ever so proud of all the players. We had no substitutes, so everyone had to play for everything. Foxhall are a really good team and it was never going to be easy for us, but all the players were outstanding and battled really well.
THE MEN OF THE MATCH
DANIEL WILSON (Foxhall)
The midfielder worked extremely hard when pressed into service up front. He could perhaps have scored more but one was all his side needed and Daniel kept plugging away to make sure he got it.
JAKE HIGSON (St Annes)
Manager Trevor Remnant faced a really tough choice as he was delighted with all his players, though both bosses agreed the goalkeeper was in exceptional form, making a string of superb saves.
Jake Higson handled superbly, and team-mate Stephen Oberman looks assured on the ball
ST ANNES (from left) Back row, Stephen Oberman, Nico McFarlane, Jake Higson, Lewis Potter and Joe Welch; front row, Adam Chapman, William Pollock, Jed Jackson-Porteus, Fraser Flegg, Daniel Yates and Daniel Clarkson
St Annes’ William Pollock contests a high ball with Kurt Willoughby
Foxhall goalscorer and star player Danny Wilson
Foxhall (from left) Back row, Reece Fisher, Ryan Ormerwood, Connor Ratcliffe, Andrew Clark, Mitchel McKeown, Jack Harrison; front row, Daniel Wilson, Kurt Willoughby, Danny Warren, Mitchell Bolus, Jack Scarlett and Josh Smith
Squires Gate get £500 boost
Squires Gate junior football club have come a long way since being formed in 2004.
Their efforts in providing competitive football for more than 100 children aged seven to 13 have earned them Charter Status.
And their latest boost is a £500 donation from bakers Warburton’s, enabling them to buy new kits.
Head coach Alan Hughes said: “Without the support of local companies, community children’s football and the development of the football heroes of the future would not be possible.”
Warburton’s Brinwell Road manager Martin Walmsley is pictured with the kids
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