Results Feb 19th & 20th
The weather again saw a number of games off but there were some great results from the girls teams this week
The Under 10′s game was postponed
Under 12s had a tough second round draw against league leaders Rakers, who had a 100% winning season going into the game. Upton got off to a really good start, and were unlucky not to score in the first 10 minutes, bringing a handful of good saves from the Rakers’ keeper. We kept the pressure on and dominated the first half. Late in the first half, against the run of play, we conceded from Rakers’ only shot on target, a close range shot to go in at ½ time 1-0 behind.Our girls were really pleased with the way they were playing and couldn’t wait for the second half. 5 minutes in they were rewarded when Elizabeth Sullivan delivered a beautifully flighted corner which was put away at the second attempt by the outstanding Jessica Farrell to make it 1-1. The game was less ordered after that, with a massive midfield battle and solid defending from Upton. At full time the scores were level and the game went into extra time. Rebecca Pritchard-Howarth came out of goal to help Emma Johnson with defensive duties, Charlotte McNay bravely took on the keeper’s role, allowing Charlotte Carroll to play further up the pitch. This turned out to be the key in winning this tie, as Charlotte smashed the ball from 20 yards, hitting the underside of the bar before bulging the net to take us through to the semi final of the Knockout Cup. 2-1 Upton. Jessica Farrell capped a tremendous first game for the club with the player of the match award, but credit goes to each and every player for working tirelessly for each other to win against what is undoubtedly the best team in the division. It must be remembered that most Upton players are year 6, and were playing against a team that is all year 7. Many thanks to Mike, the Rakers’ manager, for his words of praise to the team after the game, and his wishes for their future success in the competition.
Under 14 Rangers were also involved in the second round of the cup,and took on Irby again after two draws in the league. Irby were only able to field 6 players, but our performance today was excellent. Some of the passing and movement, on a sticky pitch, was brilliant to watch, and the supporters were treated to some excellent goals. Irby ,to their credit, worked hard throughout the game, but Brittany and Nifa at the back kept their chances to a minimum. Isabel Nolan was at her best up front, scoring 6, with Poppy Buckley (2) and Leah McNay completed the scoring. Any of a number of players deserved player of the match, and Irby chose Leah McNay.
Under 14s were in league action against our old friends at Ridgewood Rangers. This was the first game since keeper Charlotte decided to hang up her boots, and to their credit, the girls took turns in goal, Despite the long grass, the team played some great football and ran out 10 – 1 winners – Aira Temporal and Emily Sullivan scored 3 each; Ellen Harding 2; Georgia McGeough and Hannah Smith 1 apiece. Emily Sullivan was player of the match.
The Under 16′s game was postponed.
Boys
The Under 11′s had no game
The Under 12′s put up a brave fight with only 9 men for large parts before going down 4-0 to current leaders Wirral Scorpions. Joe Gilbert was Man of Match.
The Under 13′s was postponed.
The Under 14′s staged a great comeback from 2-0 at half time to score the winner with 2 minutes to go 3-2 against Wallasey Wanderers. George Thomson, Alex Pitt and Mitchell Duggan also Man of Match got the goals.
The Under 15′s seem to have an injury curse at the moment and went down 7-0 to Glenavon in the cup
Results Feb 12th & 13th
The weather had a major impact this week with all mini soccer games cancelled
Girls
Only one game played this weekend, and Under 14 Rangers ran out 5 – 3 winners against Ridgewood Rangers. Without Sarah, our regular keeper, Isabel Nolan and Brittany White took a half each in goal and both did well. On a heavy (and quickly deteriorating pitch), Rangers controlled the first half, and took a 2 – 0 lead at half time through goals from Leah McNay, and a header from Brittany White. Ridgewood pushed players forward throughout the game and reduced the deficit early in the second half. However, the two goal cushion was quickly restored as Isabel’s perfect lay off was put away from 20 yards by Leah. Both teams traded goals, Upton scoring through Jodie (with the help of a defender’s boot) and Isabel. We seemed to tire a bit in the heavy ground, leaving Ceri and Nifa exposed at the back, but the result was well deserved for a great effort in difficult conditions. Jodie Williams was voted player of the match by the opposition. Games against Ridgewood are always played in a great spirit and their players are a great credit to their manager, Graham Moore
Boys
The Under 11′s suffered a 7-4 defeat to Greenleas in the Knock out Cup with goals from Ewan Nolan 2, John Adediran & Aaron Fimlay who was also Man of Match.
The Under 12′s were also knocked out of the cup 3-0 to Peninsular Stats despite a spirited second half performance. Jonathan Turk was Man of the Match.
The Under 13′s had a bad day at the office going down 6-1 to Birkenhead Youth with Adam Sunners grabbing the goal and Liam Siddorn Man of Match.
The Under 14′s got back to winning ways 4-2 against Glenavon with goals from Scott Billington, David O Brien, Joe Murray & Morgan Woods with Mitchell Duggan Man of Match.
The Under 15′s had no game
Results Feb 5th & 6th
The bad weather won the main victor this weekend but some games did take place
Mini Soccer
The Under 7′s went down 5-1 against New Brighton Saints Rovers with Mathew Cubbin scoring and William Parry Man of Match
Girls
The Under 10s played top of the table, and showed the tremendous strides they have made so far, losing narrowly 3-2. In the first fixture of the season, against Manor, the girls were losing 6-0 after 15 minutes when the referee abandoned the game because of the rain. This time, 2-0 down at half time, they stormed bac kto 2-2 with goals from Emily Cardus and Taylor Mayes, before Manor scored a late winner. Ian Bridge, the Manor manager, was full of praise for the Upton performance, especially player of the match Yasmin Deplidge, who had another great game in goal.
The Under 12s displayed their great team spirit in winning 4 – 1 at Heygarth United. Mid way through the first half Olivia Radford was on a trademark run down the right wing when she was bundled to the ground by a challenge, Rebecca Pritchard-Howarth stepped up to take the resulting free kick from 30 yards out. She struck it really well and had a little good fortune as the ball bounced just before the keeper, then nestled in the bottom right corner of the net. 0-1 Upton. Soon after the restart Heygarth struck back, unlucky for our keeper as the wet ball spun from her hands and rolled over the line in slow motion. However, within 2 minutes Emma Johnson dispossessed an attacker in our box and ran the length of the pitch, shrugging off challenges from the midfield, before unleashing a sweet shot from 20 yards out which gave the keeper no chance and restored the lead.
Upton pressed and caused chaos in the Heygarth defence, the ball was half cleared to the edge of the box where it was met by ‘in form’ Katie Murray who struck an accurate shot past the keeper to make it 3-1. The icing on the cake came from a corner delivered by Elizabeth Sullivan, curving towards the goal it was forced home by Emma Johnson, who collected the ball on her tummy and moved towards the line until the ball dropped into the net 1-4 Upton. Player of the game was Rebecca Pritchard- Howarth
Under 14 Rangers took on table leaders Wallasey Wanderers on a sticky Overchurch pitch. The opposition are all a year older, and a far more physical side. Upton were 3-0 down at half time, but had hit the bar (another Jodie Williams strike from distance), and had 3 or 4 good chances to score. In the second half, Upton worked really hard and deservedly brought the game to 4 – 1 with another well taken goal by Jodie. However, as Upton tired later in the game, the league leaders scored three more to leave with a 7 -1 win, which really was not a true reflection of the game. Sarah Buckley made a number of excellent saves and brave blocks, and was voted player of the match by the opposition.
Under 16s played top team of their division, Wallasey Wanderers White, in muddy conditions at the Delph. Despite playing some good football, they ended up losing 12-4, with Katie Rutter scoring 2, Louise O’Brien and Freya Mumford one each. Goalkeeper Jess Taylor was voted player of the match by the opposition.
Boys
The only boys game to beat the weather was the Under 13′s who beat Peninsular Stars 3-1 with goals from Joe Abraham, Jordan Taylor and new signing Ciaran O Loughlin with Christian Rule Man of Match
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