Peninsular Pythons

A run of good form from Peninsular Pythons was dramatically halted with an emphatic victory by Glenavon,they too in a rich vein of form.

From the offset, both teams started with some feisty but fair challenges, Glenavon’s midfield just coming out on top. This possession was used to full advantage to release the wide men On both sides of  the pitch, one of these balls broke to Hurley who went on a run at defence and getting round the back, was faced by the keeper and blasted the ball at him which he could not handle, 1-0. The second came 13 minutes later, when Hurley  released the ball to Atherton, whose first shot was parried away, Atherton with his back to goal, quickly turned and hit hard and low to the keepers right, 2-0.

The next few minutes were a bit nervy for Glenavon, causing a rare mistake from defence after a clearance was hit into our own player and deflected into the path of an oncoming Pythons player, Travis’s rapid response forcing Python’s players to slide a toe poke midges past him and into the net, 2-1.  This score remained until half time.

The second half started from a team talk that reminded our players that another goal would result in Pythons needing three goals to win. This encouraged them to attack the opposition relentlessly. A great period for us in the second half seeing us battling and scrapping, edging Pythons onto the back foot, and frustrated by this ,the opposition conceded a free kick from about 22 yards. Killen delivering a ball across the back line saw Hurley stick out his foot to guide the ball calmly into the net, 3-1. That was the real turning point for our boys, more so because they were not to let them off the hook by backing off. Glenavon pushed and pushed hard they did, no player falling short of his duties and responsibilities. The weary Pythons players fell foul of quick footed Anson, who dribbled his way into the box and striking across the keeper, forcing  him to side foot into his own goal, 4-1.

This is where we should be at, this is the direction in which we are going. This was a very satisfying performance from 11 players, who, without the aid of a substitution fought hard and ground out this deserved victory. You should all be proud of yourselves, Well done and keep going.

Wallasey W.

A good result today for our boys. Starting off with a couple of goals to get them going,which was a long time coming due to some bad weather over recent weeks. However this game was badly needed to get us back into a rhythm. More goals followed and by half time it was 9-0.

Wanderers made changes to thier team for the second half and this seemed to halt the advancing  Glenavon players, they too notching up a pair of goals for thier efforts. But this was Glenavons game and they drove home a further three goals to make it a dozen.

Well done lads. Thanks go to Wanderers and their parents for getting the game on at our place and thanks to everyone for getting the goals up and down in record time.

Reporter - John Killen

Parkfield Liscard

Man of the Match Anson Inspires fellow Glenavon players to a memorable cup win.

A great game of football today with some slick passing and movement coming from midfield.

Once again the wide men, Smith and Hurley really pushing the Liscard defenders right back into thier eighteen yard area. The defence of Hurst and Kendrick-hall stopped any central advances, but as a defensive unit of four, nothing was getting through.

Teamwork was today’s priority, and I have to say that without the pre-match team talk, this game might of been another average comfortable win, but today, this was a convincing win with  each player doing thier job effectively.

It pleases us to see smiling faces during a game which clearly shows that our boys are enjoying themselves. This was our day. This was what our team is about, now let’s keep it rolling and continue our cup run. Well done.

Reporter - John Killen

Peninsular Stars

A better game for us this week resulting in chances galore! Creative play from midfield spreading the ball to the wide men really did pay off, something we have been lacking in recent games,this was a good chance to experiment again, to give Carl and I another look at players, to root out any hidden strengths they may possess.

A good solid performance got us the goals and the win today, but just think what it could of been had we of taken all of our chances.

A good performance considering the howling winds and well done to Ryan for his mom contribution. Thanks also to Brian for reffing the game. Good job. Stay focussed on the games ahead and lets not lose any concentration.  

Reporter - John Killen

Glenavon

A nervy start for the lads in white today. AC Hoylake intent on closing down our players to stop them inflicting damage in their goal area. Glenavon just couldn’t settle, whether it was down to the pitch being smaller who knows. 16 minutes passed until Jones hammered one home from 8 yards, frustration clearly showing from two missed chances 5 minutes earlier, 1-0.

Moments later the ball was deflected onto the hand of the Hoylake captain. A penalty was inevitable, Killen with his second penalty in as many weeks, stretched the lead 2-0. A series of misguided shots followed until, after an adjustment to his sat-nav, Atherton found the back of the net 3-0.

The score remained until half time when our boys were gently reminded that the standard of play that we yearn for in training, is applied at all times and with that, they started the second half more hungrier.

Lee determined he would get himself on the score sheet, unleashed a toe poke into the keepers left corner 4-0. Still Glenavon pressed and the real football then took its reward, with some slick passing resulting in a Smith whopper, crashing one into the back of the net 5-0.

Glenavon were working the ball better in wider areas now and breaching Hoylake’s defence. Lee calmly side footed his second goal, 6-0.  Tired legs from the Hoylake midfield let us back in, and Atherton with an overhead kick, watched it sail all the way over the keeper for his second and Glenavons 7th. 7-0

A last five minutes saw the ball once again go across the Hoylake six yard box and waiting at the back was Smith.

8-0 this was a good result despite players missing, but under no circumstances must we let our guard down in these games, keep it up lads.

Reporter - John Killen

Smith, Jones, Kendrick-Hall, Atherton

Upton

Superb!  A solid performance from this team today All over the park, an unusually disorganised team from Upton today, clearly lacking the authority of their regular manager, never the less Upton were prepared to fight  with the battles going on around on them.

First up was a fine defensive display from our back four. Hurst and Hurley clearly gelling well together during the game, both of them never put a foot wrong.  Howe and Kendrick-Hall putting in excellent performances as attacking defenders. Working their way up and down the pitch all day, Kendrick-Hall eventually notches up his first goal for the season. Midfield ground again won by Jones and Killen, good movement by the strikers, Atherton with a fine strike from about 26yds, the keeper had no chance.

Anson and Smith as always providing tricky and mesmerising runs at defences.  A great input from Lee and Owens causing problems for the Upton defence. Finally two impressive goalkeeping displays and shot stopping from Travis and Sullivan.

This was a hard earned result in a game with another reputable team, but on the day we were just too strong, some strong criticisms recently from the management,but credit goes to all the boys this week,well done, a very pleasing result.

Good luck in the next  cup game.

Reporter - John Killen

Wallasey W.

Another slow start! When are we going to come out of the blocks like a team trying to win a game in the opening 20 minutes, poor passing and poor finishing, Despite a good score line. Not much action for our wide players, choosing instead to try to go down the middle only for the persistent offenders finding themselves in an offside position time and time again. When an opposition plays a flat back four, the time to exploit them is with pace across the line from attackers. This didn’t happen today. Against stiffer opposition we may have conceded more. Credit to Graham and his team for putting up a brave battle and maybe we should learn something from that, no matter who you are up against you must give 110% which is what they did. A good result on paper! Another important win in the campaign, but a disappointing performance. We must do better against Upton in the Wirral district cup next week Good luck lads!

Reporter - John Killen

Smith 3, Atherton

Glenavon

Phew! What a result, 1-0 down in the first 10 minutes from a slow, sloppy start. A hard fought game was on the cards, until Atherton equalised on the 20 minute mark.  Four minutes later, Smith took his chance to put Glenavon’s noses ahead 2-1.

A dogged Rangers side would not lie down despite the away team notching up another goal courtesy of Smith, 3-1. Substitutions were inevitable, to rest weary legs but that changed when we didn’t clear our lines and allowed Rangers back in, 3-2.

With 15 minutes remaining Glenavon looked nervy and on-edge. Maybe this had something to do with the midfield battle still raging, Jones as always with the upper hand. Smith, completing his hat trick calmed us down again, 4-2.

Fine displays of keeping during this game kept us in it, but a defeat was kept at bay through recovering after mistakes during the game. A good outcome, keep pushing.

Reporter - John Killen

Hurst, Smith 2 , Atherton 2, O’Keefe, 1 O.G

Irby

Physical! I would say so. The boys did not need an invite today to match some of the towering specimens Irby had on show. The opposition seemed somewhat fired up for the occasion, can’t think why! A game of chess then ensued for best part of fifteen minutes before the deadlock was broken, a rare header from a corner from Hurst 1-0.

A scrap then emerged in all areas of the pitch, Glenavon just on top, pressed for goal number two, Smith adding to the score line 2-0. That score stood until the referee blew at the end of the thirty five.

Irby came out of the traps early searching for a way to get back into the game, they almost did, after a couple of defensive mistakes were made, but these were redeemed in an overall defensive display that was commendable. Glenavon had to drive forward for the third goal to diffuse the attacks from the opposition; as a result Atherton knocked one in 3-0.

A couple of attempts by O’Keefe went westward until, on the edge of the six yard box, he turned his man and cushioned the ball around the advancing keeper 4-0. Irby responded with a scrappy goal after a lapse in concentration, 4-1.

The next goal, again coming from Smith was rather bizarre, turning onto his left he hit the ball early, the keeper rooted to the spot, could not do anything about it, good strike 5-1.

Several corners were fired in during the game, one of these bearing down on the keeper, and totally unopposed, struck him full in the face, rebounding into the goal for an oggy, 6-1.

Atherton finished off the job with a neatly taken goal, perseverance being the key, 7-1.

A mixture of football today lads, not your best today by far, but nevertheless a very good result. Best of luck in the next round.

Reporter - John Killen

Parkfield Liscard

Pride! Order of the day for starters.  

After Sunday’s demoralising defeat by Saints, we were eager to kick off against Parkfield to restore some confidence.

The game got off to a slow start, not surprising really as several of our players had just come off the pitch having played for their school.

Without being disrespectful, Parkfield were there for the taking in a game where we often come out on top.

Glenavon pushed hard for the last 20 minutes of the first half, and during this period we scored five. Smith, Lee, Hurst and Anson grabbing the goals through some well worked football.

A penalty was awarded against Sullivan with what seemed like a 50/50, but we can’t win them all can we?

The second period saw some changes in various positions which had immediate impact on the game, more goals followed from Anson, Jones and Smith.

A comfortable victory resulted in a lot of smiling faces which was a good sign just lately. Now let’s bring on Irby in the District Cup on Sunday and keep this team rolling. Good Luck!

Reporter - John Killen

Glenavon

Last week’s headline was 'Six of the Best'. Not this time round, as saints were to hot to handle. Showing us why the holding champions wish to continue with their success by grinding out the result they deserved.

Passion, commitment, hunger, desire, communication, authority, self belief, yes! They brought that with them to the game today, ours were clearly left at home.

Too many times during a season this team will switch off and trigger the self destruct button.

Roll up your sleeves for Wednesday’s game lads, and inject some pride back into yourselves, Carl and I have a lot of belief in you, please apply it!

Reporter - John Killen

Glenavon

A desire to kick start the season with a win was scuppered with news that the Glenavon squad was thinned for the day with illnesses and players with prior engagements. Nevertheless, the eagerness of the remaining squad was a joy to behold, with what resulted in a mammoth effort for a mammoth task.

The squad was arranged to take on a Manor team that had noticeably strengthened for the coming season, the opposition manager beaming with confidence, not surprising.

After a slow start by both teams Glenavon handed the advantage to the home team after conceding a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box.  A fine strike to the top of the net leaving Sullivan no chance at all, 1-0.

Moments later an equaliser was clawed back from a goal mouth scramble from Smith, 1-1. Glenavon fought hard in midfield and dominated with frustration from the Manor side showing. They too conceded a free kick 35 yards out, Jones hitting hard expecting a rebound, fooled the keeper who could not handle it, the ball coming straight out of his hands into the net, 2-1.

Manor didn’t recover quickly enough and during this period, Smith capitalised again, neatly slotting home his second, 3-1. That score remained until half time.

A shuffled squad within the Manor ranks saw the central defender try to impose himself on our own midfielders to no avail. As the demolition job of Lee and Anson put paid to this. Manor lost their shape and discipline with cracks starting to show, Smith with his hat trick making cracks bigger, 4-1.

A neatly crossed ball from Anson was destined for a Glenavon head until the dreaded hand of God gifted Glenavon with a penalty.

Killen calmly slotting home hard to the keeper’s left, 5-1. By this time Manor were shell shocked and picking up a loose ball O’Keefe turned and seeing the keeper of his line, lifted the ball over him, 6-1.

This was a gutsy display from a squad willing to fight for the cause all the way by punishing any weaknesses that opposing teams show. Keep it up boys.

Reporter - John Killen