FOOTBALL — Update From Port Juniors Community Sports ClubUnder-13s Girls — The Under-13s girls had their first home match of the season against Renfrew at Parklea in wintry conditions. The girls should have been out of sight in the first ten minutes as they completely dominated the opening spell. Some good play by the opposition goalkeeper prevented the girls from going ahead. The girls surprisingly found themselves two-nil down when Renfrew hit them on the break twice.
However the Juniors pressed and got one back, set up by Julie and finished by Ellie Anderson. The girls worked hard and Roma added another to make it 2-2. Erin Stuart scored a crucial goal just before half-time and the girls went in 3-2 at the break. In the second half, the passing and movement were better. Julie pressed straight from kick-off to make it 4-2 to the Juniors. Elle Dinning came out the area to avoid a sure goal to the opposition. This was a great stop from Elle.
This seemed to kick-start the girls. Julie grabbed her second of the day to put the Juniors up 5-2. Not to be outdone, Ellie Anderson got her second and third of the day to make it 7-2. Julie and Roma caused problems on the wing and Erin Stuart did well out of her comfort zone in central midfield. There was great attacking from the girls. Neaveh and Mhairi did well in defence. Ellie McFadden also did well on her competitive debut. Julie got her hat-trick with a few minutes to go. A few changes where made because of injury.
The girls knew the game was won and took their foot off the gas. There were a few good clearances from Darcy who moved into defence. Ellie Anderson got the ninth and final goal. Referee’s player of the match was Ellie Anderson. The team missed Casey Leigh who is out injured.
The Under-13s are on the lookout for additional players and a sponsor — if interested contact Mags on 07908 206 262. Scorers — Ellie (4), Julie (3), Erin and Roma
2003s — The Juniors were away from home for a league game against St Cadoc’s. It was clear from the off that the Juniors had brought their passing game. This was to prove pivotal as the conditions were extremely harsh with an icy wind blowing up and down the park and frequent snow showers. The Juniors were playing a 4-2-3-1 and were bossing the mid-field.
The breakthrough for the Juniors came after seven minutes from a move that started midway in their half. The ball was worked up the field from one-touch passing and out wide to Conner. He skipped past his marker and crossed low and hard for Callum to side foot towards the goal. The keeper got a touch but Callum followed up and hammered the ball high into the net.
The Juniors kept on the front foot and it was only the adverse conditions that kept the score the same for the next 10 minutes of so. Jack F was on the end of another swift move and he finished with clinical ease. The Juniors maintained their control and Jack W in goal was a frozen bystander. As half-time approached, the Juniors worked the ball on to the left flank again and Conner arrowed it into the box. A defender managed to get a foot on it but played it directly back to Conner. He sent in a great cross that found Callum unmarked to nod in his second and the Juniors’s third.
The coaches had made three changes just before half-time but the boys fitted right in and, as the second half started, the Juniors just marched on. The game was now almost totally in the St Cadoc’s half. From a corner early on, the ball fell to Juniors captain Justyn to fire home the fourth goal. The boys were playing as if unaware of the conditions. Jack F rammed home his second after cutting in off the left.
Not long after, the Juniors got yet another corner and, as the ball was swung in, Justyn got his second and the score went to 0–6. The next goal came from speed-merchant Conner. He picked up the ball about 30 yards from goal and turned on the after-burners with one thing on his mind. He arrowed towards the goal and slotted past the keeper with ease. Big Seb had a few chances that went unluckily wide or high but he stuck to the task and eventually slammed one into the corner and got his name on the score sheet.
The boys of St Cadoc’s kept trying and pulled one back. The Juniors took the centre and made a bee-line for St Cadoc’s goal. After a melee in the box, Giacamo poked the ball home. The Juniors had the taste of blood and wanted more goals. They changed to three at the back and Juniors were looking for their hat-tricks. That accolade fell to Justyn as he squeezed a shot in from a tight angle.
The final score was St Cadoc’s 1–10 Juniors. This was a really strong team performance. The team was well balanced and, although coaches made numerous changes of personnel throughout, the drive, spirit and team work were evident. This was the third time in the last five games that the boys have reached double figures. Jack F was man of the match.
