Under 9s:
YMCA A 7-0 Kirkham Juniors All the early pressure came from YMCA who where camped in the Kirkham half and kept up a steady stream of shots and corners. After 3 mins the first goal arrived although Daniel Robertson made a brave slide attempt to clear the ball. The remainder of the first half was continual YMCA pressure with only Elliot Smith and Ritchie Hall making any impression. Kyle Fuller came on for the 2nd half at centre back and was under immediate pressure as again Kirkham began sluggishly. Kyle, Ritchie and Elliot continued to battle away and Brandon Carrol had a lone break and shot up front which was well saved by the YMCA goalkeeper. For 13 mins of this half KJFC managed to keep YMCA at bay but as the teams tired opportunities opened up and so did the floodgates with YMCA tapping in a further 3 soft goals and one great shot from outside the penalty area to make the final score 0 - 7 to the visitors. Man of the Match: Elliot, for 100% commitment and some surging runs down the right wing. YMCA B 0-0 Kirkham Juniors This team put in another great performance. Last week they trounced the third in league and this week they held the 2nd in the league to a goal-less draw in a fast-paced game of high quality and great commitment. KJFC applied most of the early pressure with Matt McCormick distributing the ball well and both Callum Fidling and Jack Stainton harassing and passing well. Charlie Cottam came on in left midfield and kept the pressure on YMCA with some good runs and passing. The second half began with tremendous KJFC pressure. A free kick from Man of Match Russell Townsend led to a prolonged goalmouth scramble and several desperately close shots with YMCA eventually clearing. Both teams began to look tired on the soft pitch; Matt had dropped back and along with James Pickervance did some tremendous defending. Russell and Callum continued with surging runs and several shots which were well saved by the impressive YMCA goalkeeper. Both teams had further opportunities but the game ended in an honourable draw with Kirkham grabbing what may end up as a very valuable point. Man of the Match: Russell, for loads of hard work up front, holding the ball up well and getting back to help out the defenders. Under 15s:
Kirkham Juniors 4-2 Spirit of Youth The game came to life in the 11th when Kirkham made the breakthrough. Wensley played a ball over the visitors defence for Mayor to chase. As he broke into the area the SoY centre half managed to get back with what appeared to be a goal saving challenge. Mayor had other ideas, and as the ball ran into the middle of the penalty area he managed to keep his feet, get to the ball first and curled a great shot into the top corner, leaving the keeper stranded. The Kirkham back four were solid, Schofield, Ryde, Wensley and Morgandone ensuring that nothing got through to Wyke in the Kirkham goal. On 30 minutes Hanlon shot early from the edge of the area and although the keeper managed to parry, he couldn't hold it and Mayor reacted quickest to tap in his second. Spirit came back strongly and it took a desperate challenge from Morgandone to clear for a corner Five minutes into the second half, the ball reached Baines on the edge of the area he struck a great shot that beat the keeper and went into the net via the post. It was no more than Kirkham deserved at this point. Wyke had to be alert on 51 minutes as he got down well to parry a shot, and he was up sharply to block the rebound. Kirkham then hit their visitors on the break. Hanlon played a great ball from the left into the centre for Baines to chase. Baines took the ball in his stride outpaced the defence and slotted under the advancing keeper. All credit to Spirit. Instead of folding, they redoubled their efforts to get back into the game. It became increasingly physical as neither side were prepared to give an inch. The Kirkham defence came under increasing pressure and it took some last ditch clearances from first Collier, then Ryde and Wensley to prevent further breakthroughs. Spirit thought they had scored on 76 minutes when a tremendous strike from the edge of the area looked destined for the top corner until Wyke spectacularly flung himself to his right to palm the ball away for a corner. Unfortunately, everyone bar the Spirit forward stood still for the corner and he had the simplest of tap-ins. This was a tough test for Kirkham against a good, strong physical side. Man of the Match was Wyke who had little to do in the first half but certainly had to be at his best in the second as the visitors put in a strong performance. Under 16s:
Lancon Juniors 1-3 Kirkham Juniors Kirkham faced a tough away game at the mid-season leaders. A competitive first half saw honours even at half time with a goal each. Kirkham took the lead through Shaun Till and the home team equalised just before the break when Kirkham failed to deal with a long free kick that bounced in the area and finished in the net. The home team played the second half with only ten men following an injury. Kirkham dominated all over the pitch and got the goals they deserved from Sam Roberts and a first for the season from James Andrew who found the net from a fantastic corner delivery. A competitive game played in great spirit by both teams passing the ball well on a very heavy pitch. The referee Mr Foster had a good game in control. No man of the match for Kirkham, but an excellent team performance, well done lads. Special mention to the home keeper who pulled off numerous saves to keep his team in the game. Under 17s:
Spirit of Youth 2-5 Kirkham Juniors On a perfect afternoon for playing football, Kirkham produced one of their poorest performances of the season before redeeming themselves in the final quarter of the game. On twelve minutes, Brown was brought down just outside the area and this time Clarke's floated effort found the top corner to put Kirkham in front. When Brown ran through the home defence to stroke the second goal home seven minutes into the second half, it seemed as if the game was won, but Spirit lived up to their name by coming back with two goals in two minutes to level the match at 2-2. The double setback acted as a spur to Kirkham, who immediately raised their game. Lenehan hit a superb shot from the right side of the area just after the hour, the ball arrowing just past the post, and on sixty-four minutes Kirkham retook the lead when Brown ran on to Calland's long ball down the right wing and pulled back a perfect low cross for Rochford to blast home from close range. With seven minutes remaining, Rochford almost scored another goal after a fine run and shot, which the 'keeper dived to save, but a minute later he gave the 'keeper no chance as he hit the fourth goal. Brown added a fifth with a fine individual goal with the last kick of the match, and although the 5-2 score-line rather flattered Kirkham, it's a sign of a good side when they still win games despite not performing at their best. | 
