Under 9s: Kirkham Juniors B 0-3 BJFF The final score line did not reflect the balance of this game. The Kirkham team more than held their own against one of the league's leading teams and made as many, if not more, scoring opportunities. After only five minutes, poor marking from a BJFF corner allowed their striker to hit the ball into the roof of the net from close range giving Nathan no chance. However, BJFF had a good solid defence and all of Kirkham's attacking came to nothing until Josh was bundled over in the area as he was about to score. Ritchie, the captain, stood up for the penalty and hit a good hard shot which went just wide of the post. BJFF swept the ball down the left wing and a hard low cross saw their centre forward side-foot the ball into the net for a fortuitous 2-0 lead as the half time whistle sounded. In the second half the BJFF pressure resulted in a well taken corner and a powerful headed goal making it 3-0. Although tired, Kirkham came back at the opposition with a shot by Josh hitting the side netting. The team did not let their heads drop and for the final 5 mins of the match it was Kirkham doing all the attacking searching for that elusive goal. If this team keeps up their passing game and continues to play with the level of commitment shown in this game then it is only a matter of time before they win - and win heavily. Man of the Match: Josh - for loads of hard work, great commitment and some good dribbling skills. Kirkham Juniors A 6-1 BJFF What a game and what a team performance - BJFF had only dropped 3 games this season and they were played off the park. Within 2 minutes of the start of the game a slick midfield passing move saw Bradley hit a good cross-cum shot which Callum followed up to force the ball over the line. Kirkham continued with their high work rate and good passing and were rewarded with a goal mouth scramble and Kirkham’s best goal poacher, Russell, darting in to score his 13th goal of an injury hit season. Kirkham now began to dominate the game - their terrific work rate and commitment keeping a good BJFF side pinned back. The half time whistle went with Kirkham in a good position but BJFF looking for goals. The second half was only 50 seconds old when Russell lined up a long shot which bounced awkwardly in front of the goalie and into the back of the net. BJFF had not given up and only some crunching tackles by James kept blunting their attacks. On a Kirkham attack, Bradley took a quick throw-in to Matt who ran at goal and calmly slotted in his second left-footed goal in two games. James did yet another great tackle and a thumping clearance up-field which Brandon latched on to and then shot the ball into the net for his second and Kirkham's 6th, before BJFF broke clear to score a consolation goal on the stroke of full time. A terrific team performance by Kirkham. Man of the Match: Bradley, for tireless work down the flank, some good passing, great shots and quick intelligent throw-ins. Under 14s:
Kirkham Juniors 1-1 Foxhall Juniors Despite players out and others struggling with fitness Kirkham were unlucky not to take 3 points. Kirkham went a goal behind early in the first half but soon recovered and Watson scored the equalizer, despite numerous shots on target the ball never reached the back of the net and it remained 1-1 at the half time whistle. Kirkham had further chances in the 2nd half and lost their keeper Mark to injury, Jack T stood in and made some good saves, but the winner never came and the match finished a draw 1-1. Under 15s:
South Shore Youth 0-7 Kirkham Juniors It was soon clear that South Shore were well drilled at the back and would make it difficult for Kirkham to play through them. Kirkham got the breakthrough on 20 minutes. Mayor made a great run down the inside left position drew a defender then shipped the ball out to Miller on the right of the area and he crashed a great shot into the roof of the net. The second half started where the first left off with Kirkham struggling to find the spark that would ignite their performance. Two minutes later, however, they had their second of the game. Mayor broke down the right and played in a great ball for Baines who provided an excellent finish. Two minutes later McCulloch played the ball forward and Baines was a clear second favourite but took advantage of a moment's indecision to prod the ball into the corner of the net. Suddenly Kirkham were well and truly in the driving seat and they at last came out of their shell. Baines completed his hat-trick on 52 minutes when he met a wicked inswinging corner from Mayor on the goal line. Ryde and Wensley in the centre of the Kirkham defence were now spraying the ball forward and there was much more bite from McCulloch and Gallagher in the central midfield. Schofield and Morgandone were cutting off the South Shore supply line and Kirkham were now able to press forward seeking to kill the game. On 62 minutes, McCulloch stepped up and hit an unstoppable shot that flew into the net. At the other end a last ditch tackle by Collier prevented a clear run into the box, as Kirkham looked to preserve their clean sheet. On 75 minutes, Miller popped up on the left and delivered a good ball into the box, where McCulloch had time to pick his spot for his second. Then on 77 minutes Baines scored the final goal of the game as once again he chased a seemingly lost cause and managed to nip between a defender and the keeper to squeeze in his 4th and Kirkham's 7th. Credit to South Shore too who proved to be tricky opponents and difficult to break down. Man of the match this week was Baines who was pressed into an emergency striker role and weighed in with four goals. Under 17s:
Kirkham Juniors 2-2 South Shore Youth The home side made a poor start, conceding a bizarre goal after just three minutes. A South Shore free kick should have been easily dealt with, but the ball skimmed off Curran's head and into Doughty's face before rebounding into the net. Shortly afterwards, the rain started, and for all of Kirkham's dominance of possession for the rest of the half, they were restricted to long-range efforts that flew high or wide, with not a single on-target shot in the first half. After six minutes of the second half, Kirkham were level when Brown's low shot went under the South Shore 'keeper, but within a minute Shore were in front again with a superb strike from the left edge of the area that found the right-hand top corner of the net. Kirkham continued piling forward, winning a succession of corners, and from one of Clarke's teasing flag-kicks, Doughty put a header inches over. The equaliser came nine minutes from time, Rochford nipping in to tuck the ball under the 'keeper, and Kirkham almost claimed a winner when Calland's shot from the right came back off the face of the bar. But, despite a couple more goalmouth scrambles, the packed South Shore defence held out to claim a point that their effort on the afternoon warranted. | 
