Blackpool FC and YMCA girls' football round-up

The girls travelled to the pleasant surroundings of Townley Park and were soon on the offensive.

In the opening minutes, Alice Smith and Gemma Thrower went close and Nyah Cartwright’s effort was blocked by a defender.

Leah Fielding went close twice before Natasha Webster produce an excellent save at the other end to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough came in the 17th minute, when Ellie Spooner’s through-ball split the Burnley defence and Throwers emphatic finish gave the keeper no chance.

Spooner rattled the woodwork before Megan Eadie’s 23rd-minute interception preserved the visitors’ lead.

An excellent flowing move involving McKenna and Spooner gave player of the match Fielding the opportunity to curl a wind-asserted cross into the net in the 26th minute.

McKenna’s through-ball on the half-hour saw Beth Slater hit the right post, with Fielding’s follow-up brilliantly saved. With players tiring in the windy conditions, the second half started slowly until the Clarets’ keeper fumbled a back-pass and Fielding pounced for her second.

Katie O’Donnell’ clearance protected Blackpool’s third successive clean sheet before Hannah Gorman intercepted and her cross was converted by Slater in the 53rd minute.

The home side built pressure and Smith make a last-ditch clearance before Cartwright smashed a loose ball into to the top right corner from 25 yards in the 65th minute.

Blackpool FC Girls Under-12 5 Academy Juniors 4

Player of the match Beth Craig scored a first half hat-trick before Academy pegged them back to 3-3.

Mia Lewis restored Blackpool’s lead just before half-time.

In an even tighter second half, Emma Siddall squeezed the ball into the net from a tight angle before Academy set up a nailbiting finish by scoring their fourth.

Blackpool closed out the match to claim their third straight win. The girls then visited the City Football Academy in Manchester to watch Manchester City clinch the Women’s Super League with a 2-0 victory against Chelsea.

After the match the girls got to meet some of their footballing heroes, including Manchester City’s Jill Scott and Chelsea’s Karen Carney.

YMCA Under-13 4 Cadley Juniors 2

YMCA secured an impressive North Valley and Burnley United League victory at a breezy Seafield Road.

This always promised to be a close game but it was YMCA who started the stronger and took the lead inside two minutes.

Ellie McNally’s corner broke in the box for Honey Griffith to rifle the ball home.

The visitors put YMCA under pressure but the rearguard of Olivia Neal, Megan Lewis, Lara Pilling and Phoebe Davies stood strong.

YMCA had a chance to increase their lead but missed a penalty and it remained 1-0 at half-time.

With the breeze at their backs after the break, YMCA began to take control and some great work from Isabelle Kells on the left saw her beat three defenders before firing home.

Cadley responded well and pulled a goal back but Annabelle Jackson restored YMCA’s two-goal lead when she fired home a cross from her strike partner Kells.

Still the visitors did not give up and scored again with 10 minutes to go to. However the final say was YMCA’s as Jackson capped a fine display with a goal after good work from McNally. In an impressive team performance, Georgia Norman was outstanding.

YMCA Under-16 3 Haslingden 5

YMCA welcomed free-scoring league leaders Haslingden to Seafield Road and made the stronger start.

After a couple of missed opportunities, they deservedly took the lead through a Faith Wood strike and midway through the first half another Wood effort struck the crossbar.

Haslingden then went on the attack and equalised with a penalty before taking a 2-1 lead at half-time.

The visitors increased their lead but YMCA responded well and grabbed a deserved second goal when Molly Dyer showed great determination before slotting the ball home.

The game continued to swing from end-to-end before Haslingden made it 4-2.

Within two minutes YMCA had a third as Beth Martin fired home after some brilliant work down the right from the impressive Keira Rouse.

However, while YMCA were pushing forward for an equaliser Haslingden broke clear to add a fifth goal and seal the points.