NAYFC U9 Eagles travelled to Riverside Juniors on a cold and wet morning last week. The boys started slowly and found themselves behind after a deflected shot found the back of the net. That’s how it stayed until HT.

After a HT team talk, the boys played the football we knew they could. It didn’t take long to find an equaliser when Dan sent over an inch perfect cross which found Krystian who managed to beat the keeper. Soon after another great cross from Dan found James at the back stick for a simple tap in.

We were now in our stride and added a 3rd through Nathan. Straight from kick off Riverside created a good opportunity but Carter made a great save to keep our lead at 2 goals. This spurred the lads on and James added a 4th. Pep made changes and was rewarded instantly when Evan scored with a nice side foot finish across the keeper to make it 5.

The scoring was rounded off when Brandon smashed a shot into the top corner. FT was 1-6 and the Eagles march on.

NAYFC U11 Eagles Win Over Shotton Colts

Team: Kian, Finn, Zac, Liam, Olly, Kayden, Kai, Adam, Will, Harvey and Kaiden.

From the kick off the Eagles started well and were battling hard. Goals from Kaiden, Will, Harvey and Adam – all of the goal scorers did so well today but it really was a spectacular team performance. Kian did great in goal when called upon and continues to improve every time we watch him play, being forced to make some difficult saves today.

Finn, Kai, Zac, Olly and Liam in defence/midfield worked together so well, getting their heads up and passing to their team mates. Finn, Olly and Zac, who are fairly new to the team, all had their best games yet and we are so pleased with how much they are progressing. They all had outstanding games. Kai and Liam continuing to do what they do best, using their skills and strength going forward, but just as much effort getting back, Kai was unlucky not to get a goal today and Liam worked so hard in defence. Kayden upfront trying his best to cause the opposition issues from the kick off.

We couldn’t be more proud of these boys, not only with their performance today, but their attitude and effort could not be faulted against a very physical opposition.

Great to get a win but more importantly was the performance from every single player. Playing like we did today we really were unstoppable and second half took control of the game giving the opposition no chance.

MOM was difficult this week as could have easily been any of the lads, however went to Kaiden for the 2 wonderful goals he scored and his brilliant attitude. Kaiden played upfront however dropped back to help out his midfield when needed and played this role outstandingly.

NAYFC U9 Angels Win Over CLS Amazon Stompers

Ava from U8 Wildcats made her U9 debut, stepping up for some 7v7 experience. It was clear from the start that the Stompers were an inexperienced team and so we tried to manage the game as well as we could whilst enabling the Angels to express themselves.

Maddy took her usual turn in goal, this time in the first half, moving up front in the second to score her second goal of the season. Marley started in defence and again worked her way forward as the game moved on, also scoring a nice goal. It was Hannah S, however, that opened the scoring after a couple of minutes. Hannah also closed the scoring.

Yasmin enjoyed her most effective game yet, with lots of touches on the ball and some solid tackling. Sophie in defence and Hannah in the centre of midfield gave a strong backbone to the team. Lily had a run in most positions and even took a turn in goal (it’s great when they offer). Peyton had a good game, chasing the ball and showing a willingness to run with and without the ball. Ava didn’t take long to settle in. This was her first match on a bigger pitch playing 7 v 7. She didn’t know her teammates to play with, though she will have met some through Wildcats.

If she was nervous, she didn’t show it. She scored 6 and got at least one assist.

We ensured the Stompers put on an 8th player after 4 and a 9th after 6. We then reduced our numbers to 6 and restricted some player movements to enable the opposition some time on the ball. It’s a tricky balance, but the players from both teams were clearly enjoying the game which is all that matters.

Star Player: we don’t normally give star player awards on debut games, but many of our players were noting immediately that Ava should get the award and who were we to argue. She deserved it.

Well done Ava.

NAYFC U8 Wildcats Win Over Pools Youth Whites

Mia and Lucy G started as subs and we set up with Skye, Sofia, Kaitlyn, Nyah and Brooke.

The game started off with the girls pressing and trying to win the ball back quickly. Also they were trying to pass the ball from the back in triangles, as we have worked on in training.

The effort in the first 6/7 minutes created chances for Brooke and Nyah but their keeper was in good form.

Pools also had chances which we did well to block and Skye saved well when required. Our hard work was rewarded when Brooke won a tackle then Nyah took the ball and hit a lovely shot beyond their keeper for a well deserved goal, her first of the season on her return.

Lucy and Mia were on for Kaitlyn and Brooke and the team continued to work hard and put the opposition under a lot of pressure forcing more saves from Nyah and Lucy.

Nyah won a tackle and the ball fell to Lucy, who used her weaker left foot to move it wide of the defender then hit a sweet right foot shot into the bottom corner for her first of the season.

We scored a super team goal for our 3rd when Skye took a goal kick to Mia. She took a touch and passed to Nyah who played a lovely pass to Lucy. Lucy took a touch forward and as the keeper came out struck a great shot into the bottom corner. Skye then pulled off a great save from their forward from point blank range to keep us ahead.

Despite Pools getting goals, we kept pushing, with Brooke and Lucy linking up well together and Kaitlyn and Mia winning tackles in our defensive area. This allowed Brooke to edge the ball to Lucy who took on a defender and hit a carbon copy shot of her second to complete a well deserved hat-trick at FT.

Well done girls, we are seeing some rewards from your efforts in training.

Keep it up.

Lots of games were called off last weekend due to the pitch conditions. Those that did play enjoyed the sunshine!

MAIN PHOTO :NAYFC U9 Eagles

NAYFC U9 Angels