Archived Under
11's Match Reports
Match 1
Sun 9th Sep New Brighton Saints 1 A C Hoylake 9
Played at Tower Grounds 1pm ko
Squad Williams, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Corkill, Allen, C Smith, Whate, W Smith, Stone, Richardson, Neville, Jones,
Goals C Smith 3
C Stone 2
S Allen
W Smith
D Neville
A Jones
Hoylake managers Motm Cal Smith
Oppositions Choice Cal Stone
It was our first 11 a side league match and we were all quite excited and hopeful after a run of reasonable performances in friendlies.We had a squad of 14, but Saints had the bare 11. Within the first minute we had scored, the ball came in from the left and Dom turned beautifully to rifle a shot in the bottom left hand corner, 1 nil to Hoylake what a start. Two minutes later Saints were level a shot came in from the right hand side after two of our defenders failed to challenge the on coming saints striker and Luke was beaten by a low shot to his near post and it was 1-1. Hoylake then began to take control with some nice passing Cal Smith, Harry and Sam Allen were moving the ball forward nicely. A Sam Richardson corner was headed narrowly wide by Cal Smith. Joe Haste had a long shot that just missed the far post and a little later Dom was put through but his shot just rose over the bar. Our second goal came 5 minutes before half time, another Sam corner found Cal Smiths head, this time he headed home, Ht 2-1.
The boys where told at half time to dig in and be patient and hopefully we would create chances just like the first half, sure enough chance after chance came and lots of goals as well.
Calum Stone came on at half time and looked very fresh and full of running within 2 minutes of the restart he out paced a defender wide right and crossed low into the box and Sam Allen slotted home. Five minutes later Cal Smith probably got the best goal of the game with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area that flew into the roof of the net. On the rare occasions Saints broke forward, our defenders were solid at the back all of them doing a good job. Most of the action was happening at the other end. Cal Stone made the score sheet with a strong run down the center, the ball seemed stuck to him as he charged through the Saints defence to slide it past the keeper, that was 5-1, and Saints heads had dropped. Will tapped in at the far post after another Cal Stone cross. Then Cal Stone got his second after good work from Alex. A hat trick was chalked up when Cal Smith found the net yet again. It was waves of attacking football from Hoylake there was nothing Saints could really do , they did break a couple of times ,Luke was always alert to charge out and clear if needed and Harry Whate seemed to run miles in this game always on hand to throw a tackle in when needed. Joe C was outstanding at the back not putting a foot wrong and playing some nice forward passes. Our ninth and final goal fell after a lovely long pass from Cal Smith found Alex who pushed it past the keeper.
A brilliant performance from the whole of the team, Lets hope we can keep this kind of form up.
Match 2
Sun 16th Sep A C Hoylake 5 Manor Royal 1
Played at Newton Park 2.30pm ko
Squad Williams, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Corkill, Allen, Whate, W Smith, Stone, Neville, Plante, Lamb, Mccdonnell,
Goals C Stone 3
T Plante
D Neville
Hoylake managers Motm Joe Lamb
Oppositions Choice Harry Whate
Our first league match at our home pitch, could we continue our good early league form? We fell a goal behind after 2 minutes when our defence failed to deal with a Manor attack, and they squeezed the ball over an out running Luke, not a great start. Five minutes later Joe Lamb playing wide on the left threaded a ball down the line and Calum out ran a defender and slotted the ball into the corner leaving the Manor keeper no chance. The game then fell into a fairly even ten minutes with lots of battling in midfield. Will and Harry were in particularly good form chasing everything. On 22 minutes Calum got his second goal again a lovely shot slid low in the corner of the net. Manor pressed to get back in the game but our defence of Ben, Matty, Ben, Nathan and the 2 Joes were not letting them get through. On the one occasion Manor did press, Luke sprang out and dived well at the strikers feet. Two minutes before half time Calum sealed a lovely first half hatrick, a lovely long pass over the top from Will found him. From his first shot the keeper saved well but Cal followed up to put us 3-1 up at half time.
We pushed forward more and more in the second half, Joe Lamb was causing havoc threading some lovely balls forward. The keeper saved well from a Toby shot and Elliot had a shot that just rose over the bar. It took us 15 minutes to find our fourth goal and it was number nine Toby who slammed it in the goal. Sam Allen had a long range shot that just went wide, and the Manor keeper saved well with shots from Harry, Joe Lamb and Dom. Our defence were pushing forward as well, and when they did have to defend they all kept their concentration, we never looked in any danger of conceding a second goal. We had corner after corner and kept pressing. We wrapped it up with 5 minutes to go, another nice pass from Joe lamb found Toby who charged forward and with only 1 defender left to beat he squared the ball for his strike partner Dom who slammed it in the back of the net for our fifth. Another great performance with all the players doing their bit for the team.
Match 3
Wed 19th Sep Future Stars 2 A C Hoylake 8
Played at Fender School, Woodchurch 6.00pm ko
Squad E.Jones, Williams, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Whate, Stone, Plante, Lamb, Mccdonnell, A Jones, C Smith, Richardson,
Goals A Jones 5
C Stone 3
Hoylake manager’s Motm Alex Jones
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Our third league game of the season was against tough opposition in the shape of Future Stars. For the first fifteen minutes we struggled to get the ball out of our own half. Euan was commanding his penalty area brilliantly shouting for everything, he made an excellent double save on ten minutes. Our defenders worked hard to keep Future at bay ably assisted by the ever-chasing Harry. When we did break the ball fell to Alex who shot well from the edge of the area and the ball slid under the keeper, we were one up totally against the run of play. Five minutes later we were two up, Joe Lamb fed Toby beautifully down the left who in turn sent Alex a lovely pass and he made sure putting us two up, it was a well made goal. With 25 minutes gone Future tried to clear another attack but the ball fell to Harry on the right who volleyed a brilliant ball across the face of goal and Alex was on hand to tap in at the far post for a lovely first half hat-rick. Two minutes later Future beat our offside trap and made it 3-1. Our forward line responded immediately this time Alex was provider for Calum Stone to put us 4-1 up at half time.
At half time the boys were told to keep working hard as Future were a very physical side and the game was far from over. Early in the second half they did come back at us but found it hard to break our defence and midfield down. On 36 minutes Cal Smith threaded a ball through for Cal Stone for his second and two minutes later he sealed his second hat-trick of the season. We were now creating lots of chances; Sam Richardson was supplying some lovely passes. On 43 minutes the pacey Alex slid our seventh past the keeper. Future got another one back with a shot that just dipped over Euan and went in off the bar. We were not finished and Alex wrapped it up with his fifth of the game to finish it at 8-2 and put us top of the league. This was a very good result against one of the stronger teams in the division.
Match 4
Sun 30th Sep A C Hoylake 6 Peninsular Stars 6
Played at Leasowe Road 2.30pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Corkill, Allen, Whate, W Smith, Stone, Lamb, A Jones, C Smith, E Jones, Richardson,
Goals C Stone 3
A Jones 2
J Lamb 1
Hoylake managers Motm Will Smith
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Today we were up against a Peninsular team that beat us 2-1 in a cup semi final last season, we knew we were in for a tough encounter again. Within 4 minutes Sam Allen had put Cal Stone through and our leading scorer was on the mark to put us 1 up. Three minutes later it was 1-1, our defenders failed to challenge a Peninsular striker and he ran right through to slide the ball past Luke. On 18 minutes Cal Stone found the net again after Alex had played a lovely ball through, 3 minutes later Sam Allen rattled the bar and Cal Stone was first to react and tapped in for his third of the game. Peninsular fought back with 2 more goals, the second of which was clearly offside, Half Time 3-3.
The second half followed a similar pattern lots of attacking football from both teams. With 10 minutes gone the ball fell to Joe Lamb on the left he ran forward and unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty , 4-3 up but not for long. Five minutes later we where 5-4 down, we struggled to keep the strong Peninsular attackers at bay.
We started our fightback; Cal Smith had a well-placed free kick saved and Cal Stone had a shot that fell inches wide of the post. Will and Cal where battling hard in midfield and Harry had to drop back into defence to cover for the injured Nathan, we were very stretched. On 51 minutes Cal Smith played a lovely through ball Alex swept on it and chipped it over the out running keeper. Five minutes later Joe Lamb put a pin point cross in and Alex nodded home to put us back in front 6-5, could we hang on for the win. Three minutes to go Peninsular beat our offside trap to equalise again and make the final score 6-6. What a game! Still unbeaten in the league but a bit disappointed that we couldn’t keep the Peninsular strikers quiet
Match 5
Sun 7th Oct Manor Athletico 9 A C Hoylake 4
Played at The Delph 1pm ko
Squad E Jones, Williams, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, C Smith, W Smith, Stone, Richardson, Neville, A Jones, Plante, Mcdonnell,
Goals A Jones 2
B Eyre Jones 1
S Richardson 1
Hoylake managers Motm Alex Jones
Oppositions Choice Elliot Mcdonnell
Today we were up against a Manor side that had previously beaten us in a friendly. They had lost two games in the league but to the top two sides by only a single goal, so we knew it was going to be a hard fought game. With Harry and Sam Allen missing and Cal Smith arriving late we were very stretched in midfield. Within minutes Manor broke through and scored, two minutes later they had another but this one was well offside. This wound up the players and parents alike and it affected everyone. We battled hard but still managed to concede two more before we got one back when Alex blasted past the keeper. At half time we trailed 5-1. The boys were looking for every excuse in the book but we had been undone in midfield however hard we fought. The boys were told just to get on with it and show Manor what we could do.
Second half started and we let two more quick ones in, the Manor number 9 was very fast and his finishing was superb. Ben moved into midfield and Elliot moved back in to defence. Five minutes later Toby squared to Ben and he rifled a shot from well outside of the box and it flew over the keepers head. This half we were playing much better with Cal Smith controlling things more. Alex banged in his second of the match. With five minutes to go the ball fell to Sam Richardson who unleashed a long range shot that the keeper could just not keep out. Was an amazing comeback on the cards? Unfortunately not, time was running out and Manor squeezed another one in before the end to finish it 9-4. Second half we played well but the game had been lost in the first half.
Match 6
Sun 14h Oct A C Hoylake 2 Wallasey Wanderers 2
Played at The Newton Park 2.30pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, C Smith, W Smith, , Neville, A Jones, Plante, McDonnell, Lamb, Allen, Mcrudden, Neville
Goals A Jones 1
T Plante 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Elliot McDonnell
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Today we were up against a Wallasey side that had only won one league game so we were hoping for another win and keep the pressure on the league leaders. With leading scorer Cal Stone rested, in came Toby Plante who is another who knows where the back of the net is. The first fifteen minutes there was not too much pressure on either keeper, with most of the game was being fought in the middle off the park. We struggled to get the ball through the strong Wallasey defence. Our defenders were not being troubled too much, and Joe C was looking very alert, first to every ball when needed. On 17 minutes Joe Lamb threaded a lovely ball though to Alex ,he sent the ball on for Toby who smashed it past the keeper one Nil ! The game continued to be a midfield battle but Hoylake looked the stronger side Cal and Harry fought hard to keep the ball but we still struggled to really threaten the Wallasey goal. Ben did put a lovely long ball through but Alex shot narrowly wide. Ht 1-0.
Second half we were hoping for more goals as we looked the stronger side but after a few minutes the ref blew up and awarded a free kick to Wallasey it was a very harsh decision, The Wallasey player struck it well and it flew into the top corner giving Luke no chance 1-1, (It was never a free kick). We felt hard done by but we battled on creating more and more chances. Dom found himself in a good position but a defender put a good block in. Then with about 10 minutes to go the ball fell to the very in form Will who dinked a lovely cross in and Alex headed home beautifully to put us back in front. Yet again Wallasey fought back. A ball came in from the left and three defenders managed to let it slide past them straight to a striker 2-2, terrible defending. We really pushed hard now Elliot was battling for everything and winning every ball. We pushed and pushed corner after corner. A shot ricocheted off a defender but the keeper who had an excellent game managed to scramble it clear. More corners and an Elliot shot was well blocked. Alex shot narrowly wide again, it just wouldn’t go in. Final whistle 2-2. Yet again we felt undone by a dodgy refereeing decision. Never mind a point in the bag but it should have been three
Match 7
Sun 21st Oct A C Hoylake 2 Upton 3
Played at Overchurch School 2.30pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Corkill, Allen, Whate, , Stone, Lamb, A Jones, C Smith, Richardson,Plante, Mcdonnell
Goals Sam Allen 1
Elliot Mcdonnell 1
Hoylake managers Motm Joe Lamb
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Today we were up against unbeaten table toppers Upton, so we new we were in for a difficult game. A major change at the back today with Joe Lamb filling in at the centre of defence. The first ten minutes were evenly contested. Hoylake’s best early chance fell to Cal Smith who headed narrowly over after Sam R had sent in a lovely corner. Upton broke the deadlock on twelve minutes, after an Upton corner was only half cleared it fell to an Upton player who was unchallenged by a static Hoylake back line and shot well into the corner of the goal. We kept are heads up and fought back well with some good possession and excellent chances. Cal Stone broke through and shot fiercely but the Upton keeper saved brilliantly. We had numerous corners all floated in beautifully by Sam R. We were in control but struggled to find the back of the net. An Elliot shot just dipped over the bar. A Ben free kick went narrowly wide. The Upton keeper made 3or 4 excellent saves and kept them in the game. Minutes before half time Cal Smith had a thunderous shot that clipped the bar. Half Time 0-1.
Second half Upton pressed for another goal but our defence battled well in particular Joe Lamb who played superb right through the game. Luke was tested on a few occasions and made some good saves. Our equalizer came after some good work from Joe C, the ball found its way to Sam Allen who rammed it home from a tight angle. Now it was game on, Sam R had a good shot that just rose over the bar. Upton edged back in front when a long-range shot kept low and went right through Luke. Five minutes later the ref gave Upton a very controversial penalty and it was 3-1. We still didn’t give up; Harry went close with a shot, as did Alex. We kept sending it forward on every opportunity. Our second goal came when Sam A found Alex who sent it wide for Elliot who sent a shot over the keeper’s head. Five minutes left and we pressed harder for an equaliser, our best chance fell to Cal Smith who headed narrowly wide. We had a huge penalty appeal for a handball turned down in the dying seconds. Final score 3-2 we had played very well and had been the better team on the day creating so many chances, yet again we were undone by controversial decisions. One week they will all go our way!!!
Match 8
Sun 4th Nov A C Hoylake 2 Wirral Rangers 3
Played at Acres Road 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, W Smith, A Jones, Plante, McDonnell, Lamb, Allen, Mcrudden, Stone, Richardson, Whate,
Goals J Lamb 1
T Plante 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Toby Plante
Oppositions Choice Alex Jones
Today we faced Wirral Rangers at Acres Road in Meols. Looking at the league table it seemed like a game that we should win. Within a minute we were a goal to the good; Cal Stone made a surging run and was brought down in the penalty area. Up stepped Joe Lamb who placed the penalty beautifully in the corner of the goal, one nil Hoylake. For the next ten minutes we were besieged by Rangers but we defended well, under a lot of pressure. On twenty minutes Rangers had a run of corners and squeezed an equalizer in after a scramble. Two minutes later they were 2-1 up, another corner only half cleared and a shot through a crowded area. We then tried to get back in the game; Alex was working well and had shot into the side netting. Then we had three corners in succession, the latter went straight in the net but it was disallowed!!! It apparently went out of play.Hoylake went on to have a further two goals disallowed. Half Time 1-2.
We seemed to be lacking something today; none of the boys were really shining. The slick passing football was none existent today. We fell a third goal behind after Luke came running out of goal and forced the striker wide but he managed to cross for a Rangers player to score which looked blatantly offside but the ref gave it. 3-1 down ten minutes to go we decided to start playing at last. Toby ran through and dinked one over an out running keeper to make it 3-2. For the last ten minutes we really pushed for an equalizer with some good possession. Sam Allen, Harry and Elliot all had shots well saved. But we ran out of time. Although some decisions didn’t go our way we didn’t deserve to win. Rangers played well and fought hard, we were very poor on the day.
Match 9
Sun 11th Nov A C Hoylake 2 Beechwood falcons 4
Played at Newton Park 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, Corkill, W Smith, A Jones, Plante, McDonnell, Lamb, Allen, Mcrudden, Stone, Richardson, Whate, Neville,
Goals A Jones 1
T Plante 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Elliot Mcddonnell
Oppositions Choice Toby Plante
Today we were up against high flyers Beechwood Falcons who were third in the league, so we were in for a tough ride. Within five minutes we were a goal down, when a Beechwood striker beat an out running Luke to the ball and chipped it over him. Our boys kept their heads up as the opposition were not quite as dominant as we thought they might be. We looked stronger at the back today and worked well as a unit. On twenty minutes it was 1-1 Toby muscled his way through and prodded it past the keeper. Two minutes later we were behind again when Luke failed to keep hold of a shot and the striker ran it in to make it 2-1. Again we kept working well, Alex found some room on the left but his final shot made the side netting. Two or three times we raced forward after balls had been played over the top, but the Beechwood keeper was very fast out of his goal.Ht 1-2
Second half Sam R came on for Dom and Alex came on for Cal Stone. Three minutes gone and we were 3-1 down and it looked like game over. Five minutes later and the ball looped right up and under the bar after a scramble and we were 4-1 down. We pressed even harder spreading the ball around well and looked the better side if it hadn’t been for the score line. With 15 minutes to go Alex found the net. We looked like we weren’t completely out of it. We made lots of chances the Beechwood keeper made 3 excellent diving saves. Toby had a volley that came to him very quickly which just went over. Beechwood then had a double goal line clearance after shots from Sam A and Toby. Dom came back on for the last five minutes and made some excellent space and his shot was very well saved. Time ran out on another day we would have won this game
Match 10
Sun 18th Nov A C Hoylake 4 Greenleas 3
Played at Belvedere Road 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, W Smith, Plante, McDonnell, Lamb, Allen, Stone, Richardson, Whate, Neville, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland
Goals C Stone 1
T Plante 2
W Smith 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Joe Lamb
Oppositions Choice Toby Plante
Today we faced a Greenleas side that is currently one place above us in the league. It was freezing cold with a gusty wind blowing. The pitch was huge and very heavy and we were kicking up hill in the first half. It was going to be a very hard first half. For the early part of the game it was fairly even. On seven minutes Toby broke well but his shot went in to the side netting and on ten minutes Cal Stone had a shot well saved. We had been defending well with a solid back four of Elliot, Joe L, Ben and Nath. But on 22 minutes Greenleas broke and scored. We responded quickly Sam Allen going close after good work from Cal. A minute later Toby equalized ramming the ball home. Harry then had a looping shot very well saved. We fell 2-1 behind when a half cleared shot was banged into the corner of the net. A minute later it was 3-1. Just before half time we got another one back, yet again Toby with a very strong run slid past two defenders and then past the keeper but it was Cal who knocked it over the line. Ht 2-3 but we were pleased as it was a difficult half running up the muddy hill. We were quietly confident that we could turn the score line round.
Second half started evenly again, Joe Haste and Harry in the middle were battling hard for everything. Nathan’s asthma kicked in so the impressive Dom filled in at the back for a while. It was biting cold but the lads were getting stuck in. Luke made a good save diving at a strikers feet to win the ball. Then on forty minutes Will nipped in at the far post to make it 3-3 and we were right back in this game. We were playing some nice football in the poor conditions Sam Richardson and Elliot worked well sending the ball forward with Toby and Cal chasing everything, the Greenleas keeper was kept pretty busy. On forty six minutes Harry threaded the ball through to Toby who was pulled back but the ref played the advantage, he ran through and slotted home to put us 4-3 in front. We never looked like letting the lead slip. Cal Stone missed a great chance to put the game beyond Greenleas but no more goals were to come and we looked the stronger side as the game to an end. Back on the winning trail after a few dodgy results, a very pleasing performance.
Match 11
Sun 25th Nov A C Hoylake 5 Olympic Warriors 2
Played at Newton Park 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, W Smith, McDonnell, Lamb, Allen, Richardson, Whate, Neville, Haste, Mccrudden, Corkill, Jones,
Goals D. Neville 2
S Allen 2
Og
Hoylake Managers Motm Luke Williams
Oppositions Choice Dom Neville
Today we faced Olympic Warriors one of our old foes from last season. We had five players missing today due to various illness and injuries so we were going to have find something special from somewhere. On four minutes our first chance came, the stand in Olympic keeper came well out of his area we won the ball and it eventually fell to Will whose shot was cleared off the line. On seven minutes we fell a goal down when a static defense failed to clear a corner and a shot beat Luke and found the corner of the net. Two minutes later we were back in the game when the impressive Joe Haste sent a ball forward to Alex who put strike partner Dom through and he slid it past the keeper. A minute later we were nearly in front when Alex found some space but his shot was again cleared off the line. Olympic were no mugs going forward and on ten minutes Luke was forced into a double save but minutes later the skilful striker beat him to the ball to put us 2-1 behind. As half time approached we had a run of corners floated beautifully in by Harry one of which Will got his head to and it slammed into the post in the confusion one of the Olympic defenders managed to put it over his own line.2-2. We had other good chances before the whistle sounded Dom Harry and Sam R all going close.
Another fight back on the cards and we took the lead when Will sent a ball in the box for Sam A to slot home, 3-2 ahead. We were playing some good football there were some excellent performances particularly Joe H and Harry in the middle of midfield and Elliot at the back. Olympic put us under a lot of pressure for the next ten minutes but we battled well. Luke made a blinding reaction save. We weathered the storm and sent the ball back up to the other end and Sam A this time sent a ball across for Dom to get his second of the game. Joe H then made a great surging run and his shot hit the post. We sealed the game when a long ball forward from Matty found Sam A he beat his man well and slotted home to put us 5-2 up and kill the game. This was a superb win as we were very stretched for players this week, but those who played gave their all for an excellent win
Match 12
Sun 2nd Dec A C Hoylake 1 Delta Colts 2
Played at The Delph 1pm ko
Squad: Eyre Jones.C Smith, Lamb, Richardson, Whate, Haste, Mccrudden, Corkill, Jones, Mclelland. Plante, Richardson, Mccdonnell,
Goals H Whate 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Ben Eyre Jones
Oppositions Choice Cal Smith
Today we faced second in the league Delta Colts. We only just managed to get the game on as the pitch was a mud bath and the wind was howling, but the ref was happy to give the game a go. Today we welcomed back Cal Smith after a lengthy injury. Last minute illness to Luke meant that Ben would have a go in goal for us. It was difficult trying to keep the ball in the awful conditions and on 6 minutes we fell a goal behind. Ben was well beaten after making two good earlier saves. We struggled to get the ball forward it was very much a midfield battle with Cal, Harry and Jo battling for everything. Our first good chance came when Sam had a shot well saved after some good work from Toby. Another good chance fell to Jo H who had a long effort just go wide of the post. We fell two behind when a Delta corner blew straight in the goal. The wind caught the floating ball and it deceived everybody. Just before half time Cal Smith put a free kick narrowly wide. Ht 0-2.
Second half we had the wind with us and we were confident that we could get back into the game. Nathan came on for Sam and looked lively. On forty minutes the ball fell to Harry who unleashed a low shot which flew into the corner of the net. We were right back in the match. It continued to be a struggle to get the ball out of the mud the ball kept sticking and couldn’t quite reach our forwards. At the back we were solid with Matty, Jo C, Elliot and Joe L all having the best of it. Our best chance of an equalizer came when Toby ran the length of the pitch with the ball, but his final shot went into the side netting.
The final whistle blew, a 2-1 defeat but heads held very high as Delta are definitely one of the best sides we had come up against and the conditions were terrible. All in all some very good performances today, in particular Ben, Cal S, Harry, Joe H and Elliot.
Match 13
Match Postponed against Glenavon
Match 14
Sun 16th Dec A C Hoylake 1 Olympic 1
Played at Leasowe Road 1pm ko
Squad: Williams. Eyre Jones, C Smith, Lamb, Richardson, Haste, Mccrudden, Corkill, Jones, McDonnell, Johnson, Caffrey, Stone, Neville,
Goals J Haste 1
Hoylake Managers Motm Elliot McDonnell
Oppositions Choice Matthew Caffrey
Today we faced old foes Olympic on a very cold Leasowe road. They had only lost one game in the league so for sure this was going to be a test. With a few players missing, today there were debuts for Sean Johnson and Matthew Caffrey. It was a big pitch and it turned out that most of the game was to be a midfield battle. On seven minutes we had a free kick on the edge of the area taken by Ben ,his shot was cleared but the ball came straight back to him ,he shot again and the tall Olympic keeper saved well. On fourteen minutes we fell a goal down after our defence failed to deal with the tricky Olympic striker. A minute later we were back on the attack and Alex had a shot well saved. Five minutes later our equalizer came. Olympic cleared the ball after one of our attacks but it only got as far as Joe Haste and he shot firmly and it just dipped under the bar a great goal and his first of the season. Olympic had another good chance just before the break but the final poke at goal went narrowly wide. Ht 1-1.
The second half followed a similar pattern there wasn’t much to choose between the teams. On forty minutes Olympic had a good attack and the ball flew right across the face of the goal. On forty four minutes we had one of many corners it was half cleared and fell to Matty Mc whose shot went narrowly wide. A minute later after another corner, Dom made some excellent room to fire off a shot and the Olympic keeper dived brilliantly to push it round the post. Two minutes later the impressive debutant Matthew Caffrey made a great surging run, his final ball put Cal stone through and his shot went narrowly wide. Olympic had chances too. Luke was called on to make an excellent diving save and our defence were excellent in particular Elliot with some great last ditch tackles.
It was a good performance on a bitterly cold day, we probably deserved the win, but we can’t be disappointed with a point against a difficult Olympic side.
Match 15
Sun 6th Jan A C Hoylake 6 Manor Royal 0
Played at Wallacre 1pm KO
Squad: Neville. Eyre Jones, C Smith, Lamb, Richardson, Mclelland, Mccrudden, Allen, Whate, McDonnell, Johnson, Caffrey, Stone,
Goals: Whate 2, Allen, C Smith, Stone, Caffrey
Hoylake Managers Motm: Sam Allen
Oppositions Choice: Dominic Neville
Today we were looking to complete a league double over Manor Royal on a sunny but cold day. Last minute illness to Luke meant that Dominic would go between the posts for us today. From the kick off Manor had a good few minutes possession and looked quite bright, but not for long. Cal Smith fed a ball through to Sam Allen but his shot was well saved. Then Harry crossed to Cal Stone but his shot was also saved. Then the ball fell to Sam R on the edge of the area and his shot went narrowly wide. We were well in control of the game and looked in little danger. On ten minutes our first goal came when the ball fell to Cal Stone who shot well into the corner of the net. A few minutes later Cal Stone had a header pushed on to the post by the Manor keeper but Harry acted the quickest and slotted home to put us two up. The next goal came from Matty C (Caffers) his first for the club and well deserved after an excellent opening couple of games. Just before half time Cal Smith decided he needed to be on the score sheet and made it four. H-t 4-0.
Second half saw Sean and Matty M make appearances. We were not quite as clinical with our finishing in this half and Manor did have a good go at us this half, but Dom made a couple of good saves one of which was a brave save diving at the feet of a striker. Sam Allen put us 5-0 up, another well deserved goal as Sam was outstanding today. He turned provider for our sixth goal sending Harry through for his second of the game. Harry almost sealed his hat-trick in the dying minutes but the keeper saved well.
Match 16
Match Postponed against New Brighton Saints
Match 17
Match Postponed against Manor Athletico
Match 18
Match Postponed against Peninsular Stars
Match 19
Sun 3rd Feb A C Hoylake 3 Glenavon 2
Played at The Glen 1pm ko
Squad Neville, Haste, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, , Stone, Plante, Lamb, McDonnell, Caffrey, Johnson, Richardson
Goals C Stone 2
T Plante
Hoylake managers Motm Nathan Mclelland
Oppositions Choice Harry Whate
Today it was our first ever match at the Glen, but we had previously had close games against Glenavon at mini soccer. They lay one place above us in the league table so it as going to be a tight affair. With several key players missing and us kicking into a very strong wind in the first half it was going to be a hard battle. We held our own and had the best early opportunity to score when Elliot sent a ball through for the lively Toby but his shot was well saved. We fell a goal behind on ten minutes when Dom struggled to hold on to a shot in the very strong wind, the conditions were making it very difficult to play football. Our defenders battled hard when they had to, Nathan putting some impressive tackles in. At the other end the Glenavon keeper dived well at the feet of Cal Stone. Two minutes later we got a goal back, Harry made some space to cross after a great run and crossed beautifully for Toby who controlled it well and sliced it home. It was good end-to-end stuff, this time Joe Lamb making an excellent last ditch tackle. Cal Stone shot just wide and Harry shot from long range that went just the wrong side of the post. Ht 1-1.
Second half we had the wind with us but it was so strong it was hard to control the ball. Joe Lamb had a shot that went narrowly wide, and the Glenavon keeper jumped brilliantly to catch a corner that was floating in the goal. Sean came on in the second half and was sending some lovely balls through making things difficult for Glenavon. We were having a lot more of the play in the second half and with fifteen minutes to go we squeezed in front. Toby broke wide and looped a cross up, the wind held it up for Cal stone to get under it and nod it in the corner of the net. Sean had a shot well saved and we had several other good chances. There was still only one goal in it and we needed another for a bit of breathing space. It eventually came when Harry sent another great cross in, this time Cal got on the end of it to slam it past the keeper for his second and just about kill the game off. In the dying minutes Glenavon got another goal after a mix up at the back. The final whistle blew and it was a good away win in tough conditions. The boys battled well and thoroughly deserved the win.
Match 20
Sun 10th Feb Olympic Warriors 3 A C Hoylake 4
Played at The Delph 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, W Smith, McDonnell, Lamb, Richardson, Whate, Neville, Haste, Mccrudden, Corkill, Jones, Caffrey, Plante, Eyre-Jones,
Goals D. Neville
A Jones
T Plante
H Whate
Hoylake Managers Motm Joe Corkill
Oppositions Choice Will Smith
It was a nice sunny afternoon at the Delph, in contrast to last week’s battle with the wind. We were attempting to do a league double over Olympic warriors. Within the first minute we were under pressure and it took an excellent goal line clearance from Elliott to keep the scores level. Two minutes later we did go behind. A Warrior player flicked on a corner into the net, which proved unstoppable. Our best early effort was when Ben rifled a long range shot just past the post. Before long we went two down. A corner curled straight into the net. We attempted to get back in the match; Will had a good shot well saved. Our first goal came when Dom shot from a long way out, which Alex got on the end of, to tap in. Our second came when Alex had a shot and it rebounded out to Toby who slammed it home to make it 2-2. We were back in the game.
The second half began and before long we had fallen behind again, yet another goal from a corner poorly cleared and a shot into the corner of the net, ours heads dropped again. We kept on battling but it was hard to play our normal passing game, as it was a small pitch. Caffers had a shot just wide and Harry had an excellent shot tipped over the bar. We won a free kick just outside the penalty area Harry stepped up and sent it beautifully over the wall and into the corner of the net. It was end-to-end stuff Joe C made a superb goal line clearance. Next minute he was sending an attacking throw in for Toby to flick on and Dom got on the end of it to slam it home to put us 4-3 up. At last we were in front after trailing twice. We managed to hang on for the win it was an exciting tense game with lots of chances at both ends. We didn’t play like we can but deserved the win in the end.
Match 21
Sun 17th Feb A C Hoylake 8 Inter Manor 2
Played at Newton Park 2.30pm ko
Squad: Williams, W Smith, Lamb, Whate, Haste, Mccrudden, Corkill, Jones, Caffrey, Plante, Eyre-Jones, C Smith, Johnson,
Goals T Plante 2
S Johnson 2
H Whate
J Haste
M Caffrey
A Jones
Hoylake Managers Motm Sean Johnson
Oppositions Choice Will Smith
Today the sun shone on Newton Park and had melted the early morning ice to give the game the go ahead. We faced bottom of the league team Inter Manor so were hopeful of a good performance from our boys. Within a minute we were one up, Harry sent a ball over from the right wing and Toby volleyed it in beautifully. Five minutes later it was two when Caffers drove the ball home from close range after some good work from Alex. A few minutes later it was Three, Inter cleared a corner but it fell to Joe H on the edge of the area and he banged it home. We were running the game everyone looked like they wanted to get on the score sheet and Inter could not get the ball out of there half. Our fourth was the best goal of the game, our move started in our own half on the left and after four or five passes it found Harry on the right who ran forward and drilled the ball home. Inter then made a few efforts forward, they won a free kick just outside our area ,the Inter player struck it well and it just beat Luke into the corner of the net. We soon struck back with Sean slotting in well from close range. Yet again Inter showed some fight and managed another goal our defenders failed to throw a proper challenge in and the tall striker burst through to make it 5-2 at half time.
We failed to score for ten minutes in the second half Inter were battling hard. We created lots of chances but couldn’t find the net and Manor were defending much better. Alex had a couple of close efforts well saved by the excellent Inter keeper; he made a stream of very good saves. Harry went close with a couple of long range shots. We finally broke through with another goal after a shot from Joe Lamb was parried and Sean tapped in for his second of the game. Alex finally got his reward for hard work after a long range shot from Cal Smith was pushed out and Alex rammed it home he celebrated in fine style and his earlier misses could be forgotten. He then turned provider for our final goal and sent the ball through for Toby to shoot home and make it 8-2. It was a great result but the performance could have been much better.
Match 22
Sun 24th Feb A C Hoylake 3 Wallasey Wanderers 2
Played at Lingham Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, Richardson, Jones, W Smith, C Smith, Allen,
Goals C Stone
D Neville
A Jones
Hoylake managers Motm Joe Corkill
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Today we faced a Wallasey team that we drew with earlier in the season in a very hard fought match. It was bound to be a physical test on this huge pitch. We changed formation for the first time this season playing five across the midfield. For most of the first half it was like pinball with the ball whizzing all over the place and not much pretty football being played. We struggled to get the ball out to our wide players. Our best early chance came when Harry sent in a lovely corner and Cal Smith nodded it into the arms of the keeper. We took the lead on ten minutes when Cal Smith sent a free kick in to the box and Cal Stone got on to a loose ball and slammed it home. Five minutes later Wallasey equalised when their striker made an excellent run and got on to the end of a long through ball and flicked the ball past Luke. Then we fell behind, we half cleared an attack and a Wallasey player looped a shot high into the top corner. A few minutes later Luke made an excellent diving save after the striker broke through. We trailed 2-1 at half time but were kicking down the slight hill in the second half.
Pretty soon we were back on level terms when Elliot sent a lovely ball forward and Domo found some space and coolly slotted it past the keeper.2-2 Game on! The game continued to be a good battle our defenders worked extremely hard to keep Wallasey at bay; Joe Corkill in particular had an excellent game. There were close calls at both ends with runners just being caught offside. Our winner came with ten minutes to go and it was a lovely move Luke sent a goal kick to Joe C who sent it wide for Harry, he then sent a lovely ball through to Dom who made a strong run forward, fighting off the challenging defender, he sent the ball through to Alex who slotted home. We hung on fairly easily in the last few minutes keeping the ball well. It was an excellent result against a strong in form Wallasey team. Four wins out of four in the month of February and up to fifth in the table.
Match 23
Sun 2nd March A C Hoylake 1 Olympic 7
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Mccrudden, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, Richardson, C Smith, Allen, Haste, Caffrey, Plante
Goals C Stone
Hoylake managers Motm Cal Stone
Oppositions Choice Calum Smith
Today it was fifth versus sixth in the league; we had previously fought out a 1-1 draw. We were on a run of 5 successive wins but were definitely in for a big test today. With Ben unwell we drafted Cal Smith to play at the back. For the first Ten minutes we were playing some lovely football. The midfield were passing the ball around lovely, Harry and Sam Allen were looking dangerous going forward. Joe Haste wouldn’t let the ball go past and he was winning every challenge. Our best early chance were shots from Sam Allen and Harry but the huge Olympic keeper was going to take some beating. A few minutes later Cal Stone absolutely flew past a defender but his final shot slammed onto the bar. Minutes later Sam Allen sent Cal through again this time he slotted it wide of the keeper to put us one up. It was turning into a cracking game of football. Olympic were getting more into it and were looking dangerous. Joe C made a goal line clearance but a few minutes later Olympic won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and it was curled beautifully into the corner of the net. Then we fell behind, we failed to clear a corner and the ball was stabbed home. Our best other chance of the half fell to Cal Smith who had a fierce long range shot well saved. Half time 1-2.
We were confident of getting back into the game as we had played so well in the opening half and Olympic appeared to have no subs, but it wasn’t to be. The Olympic number nine was class, extremely fast and strong. Time after time he broke through and when we fell three behind our heads dropped. That was it then we fell apart, Luke made two or three good saves but each time Olympic were first to the ball. We just fell apart and let in goal after goal. Olympic did tire but it was all too late. A very disappointing performance after looking so good early on, the normal fight wasn’t there, back to work on the training pitch.
Match 24
Sun 9th March A C Hoylake 2 Future Stars 2
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, Richardson, W Smith, Allen, Haste, Caffrey, Johnson, Mccdonnell, Eyre Jones.
Goals H Whate
S Richardson
Hoylake managers Motm Matthew Caffrey
Oppositions Choice Harry Whate
Today we faced Future Stars, we had beaten them 8-2 at their ground early on in the season. We dominated the opening half the boys were passing the ball round well, Will, Harry and Caffers were linking well together. Elliot had our best early chance with a looping shot that hit the bar. Minutes later the very inform Will hit the post. Harry and Sam Allen both had shots well saved. We were in complete control; our defenders sat on the half way line and kept pumping the ball forward. Then with their first attack on twenty minutes a Future forward was tripped in the area and a penalty was awarded. The taker struck it beautifully into the corner giving a diving Luke no chance. This spurred us into our first goal; a lovely long ball forward from Joe Lamb found Harry who with one touch flicked it past the keeper. Sam Allen then sent a lovely ball through for Stoney to chase flying past the defenders but the keeper came out and just beat him to the ball. Half time 1-1.
Early into the second half we edged in front Joe H put a ball across the box and Sam Richardson beat the keeper. Future were getting a bit more into the game but we were creating a lot of chances.Caffers had a shot that hit the bar, and Joe lamb had a shot tipped over the bar by the very impressive Future keeper. We couldn’t find that killer third goal even though we had great possession, two more shots both went very close. With five minutes to go Future broke forward a player ran on to a pass narrowly offside and slotted a ball past Luke to make it 2-2. With only five minutes left the game was just about over. It was a disappointing result as we dominated the game. But on the plus side there were some much improved performances.
Match 25
Sun 16th March A C Hoylake 1 Wirral Rangers 3
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre Jones, Mcddonnell, Corkill, Whate, W Smith, Lamb, Richardson, C Smith, Allen, Haste, Caffrey, Plante A Jones,
Goals C Stone
Hoylake managers Motm Jo Haste
Oppositions Choice Sam Allen
Today we faced Wirral Rangers a team below us in the league but nevertheless a strong side that had beaten us earlier in the season. The game started fairly evenly. Our best early effort was a long-range shot from Cal Smith that went narrowly over the bar. It was Rangers who were to score first, two defenders miss timed their tackles and the striker ran through to poke the ball past Luke as he charged out. The game was well poised we had some good possession and tested their keeper on a few occasions with Alex, Will and Harry all going close. Ht 0-1.
A few changes were made at half time and it made a big difference we were passing the ball round much better, Yet we fell further behind when again we failed to clear the ball when we had the chance, a Rangers player dived in to put them two up. We continued to press at the other end but once more Rangers broke and squeezed in a third goal. This seemed to wake us up into the best football we had played. Sam Allen was creating havoc down the right hand side linking well with Joe Haste and Caffers. It was from some good inter play between the two of them that led to our goal, when the ball was pulled back to Cal Smith who rocketed a shot into the top corner to make it 3-1. We were in complete control now, when Rangers did break, Joe Lamb made sure no one was going to get past him. Toby made an excellent run and shrugged off a defender to poke it past the keeper but another defender ran back to clear the ball off the line in a fantastic manner. Caffers had a shot that dipped just over the bar. Then we had four corners in succession but Rangers defended brilliantly to keep us out. It was an exciting game it was just a pity that it took us until the last twenty minutes to play our best football. Rangers are a very physical side but we definitely deserved something out of the game.
Match 26
Sun 30th March A C Hoylake 5 Manor Athletico 6
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, McDonnell, Mccrudden, Mclleland, Corkill, W Smith, Lamb, Richardson, C Smith, Allen, Caffrey, Plante, Neville, Stone,
Goals Cal Stone 3
Sam Allen
Dom Neville
Hoylake managers Motm Cal Smith
Oppositions Choice Cal Stone
Today we faced Manor; they had beaten us heavily at their ground and are currently second in the table pushing for the league title so this was sure to be a test. We struggled in the opening half falling four goals behind. Three of them we should have defended better and had chances to clear the ball. With ten minutes to go in the first half we got a goal back when Cal Smith sent a ball through for Cal Stone to chase, he latched onto it and finished beautifully. This seemed to spur us on and there were other good efforts form Cal Smith and Cal Stone. Ht 1-4.
We knew it was a long way back but we felt we had finished the half well and could create more chances, just as long as we could keep it more solid at the back. Early in the second half we scored again, another long ball through the middle carved the Manor defence wide open and yet again Cal Stone slotted home. Minutes later we got another, this time Sam Allen got on the end of another Cal Smith pass to slide it past the keeper. At the other end we were looking a lot more solid with Joe Lamb in particular not letting anything past him. Then came our equaliser and a hat trick for Cal Stone, what a fight back 4-4. It was a great game end to end stuff, Manor got back in front with a bit of luck when a cleared ball ricocheted and fell back in the line of the striker and he coolly finished. They then got a sixth with a good shot from the edge of the area. We picked ourselves up, Cal Smith played a lovely long ball through the channel, Cal Stone held the ball up and laid it back to Cal Smith he found Domo with a perfect cross and he rifled the ball into the back of the net for a cracking goal. With five minutes to go we pressed for another equaliser with lots of possession and a couple of good chances, the best a shot from Dom was well saved by the keeper, but we ran out of time.
A highly entertaining game and a great result against one of the top teams in the league very pleased with the fight that we showed, at four down it looked like it was going to be a disaster.
Match 27
Sun 6th April A C Hoylake 4 Glenavon 3
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, W Smith, C Smith, Allen, Neville, Caffrey, Haste,
Goals C Stone 2
D Neville
H Whate
Hoylake managers Motm Harry Whate
Oppositions Choice Joe Lamb
Today we faced a Glenavon side that we narrowly beat earlier in the season. They are on the same points as us in the league and have the second best defensive record. For the first ten minutes Glenavon had some good possession but struggled to get past our back four with the two Joes both playing brilliantly. It was us who broke the deadlock and it was a lovely passing move, Cal Smith positioned centrally sent it wide for Harry who passed it forward to Dom who sent a low cross in for Cal Stone to slot home. We followed this with some more good play, Will sent a shot in that brushed the post. Two minutes later Glenavon were level after we failed to clear a ball properly and a low shot found the corner of the net. We then fell behind after a corner was scrambled home. We drew level again after some good work from Harry playing wide right he made a great run holding off the defender to send a ball in for Cal Stone to poke in his second of the game. Cal Smith then sent a lovely ball through for Dom who beat his man and banged it into the net to put us back in front. It was a good half of football with both teams creating chances. Glenavon equalised just before half time after Luke struggled to hold on to a shot and the striker followed up. Ht 3-3
With the introduction of Sam Allen and Caffers at half time we were hopeful of getting back in front. We started the half well and were making some great attacking moves with all the midfielders and strikers linking up well. Cal Smith had a couple of long-range efforts one saved and the other narrowly wide. Cal Stone was keeping the Glenavon, defence busy with lots of runs but they were defending well this half and caught us off side on two or three occasions. He went close with shot that just dipped over the bar. We were all over them now in fact in the second half Luke in our goal did not get a touch of the ball such was our domination, but time was running out. Five minutes to go after a corner the ball came back out to Harry and he banged a shot into the very crowded area and it nestled into the corner after a deflection. 4-3 up with not long left we kept the ball well.
A good result but well deserved after all our domination in the second half, a strong performance right through the team.
Match 28
Wed 9th April A C Hoylake 3 Upton 3
Played at Newton Park 6.00 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mcrudden, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, W Smith, C Smith, Allen, Caffrey, Haste, Richardson,
Goals C Stone 2
H Whate
Hoylake managers Motm Matthew Caffrey
Oppositions Choice Cal Smith
Tonight’s was the game we had been waiting for, top of the league and probable champions Upton, we had given them a good game at their ground, could we give them a fright again but this time on our own turf. Ground staff arrived early to clear the puddles, ref inspected, game on. We started quite brightly with Caffers looking very dangerous charging forward on the left. On five minutes leading goal scorer Cal Stone went close with a shot that just rose over the bar. Cal Smith also had a good early chance. Upton equally were looking dangerous going forward the small 14 was particularly skilful weaving in and out of players challenges, our defence were kept busy, they kept there line really well and caught Upton off side on several occasions. It was Upton who broke the deadlock but minutes later Harry found some space on the right to chip the outrunning keeper to finish beautifully to make it 1-1.A few minutes later we were ahead. Caffers played the ball down the left channel and Stoney ran on to it and pushed it past the keeper for a brilliant goal. Cal Stone what can I say; we know he is the fastest boy around but his finishing is fantastic. Ht 2-1
Second half was equally as exciting, Upton levelled with a powerful shot through a crowded area, it really was game on now. We continued to charge forward and went close a few times. At the other end we were defending extremely well lots of scrambles around the area, Luke in goal was in good form and got some vital blocks in. Harry had a shot that went just wide; Cal Smith had a shot that deflected just the wrong side of the post. Finally we edged in front and it was deserved, Harry put a powerful free kick in from the edge of the area, it fell loose and Stoney rammed it home for his 24th goal of the season. Minutes later he was through again only to be adjudged off side, harsh, I was level and he was on side but ref was ten yards behind the play. Then at the other end a similar incident but this time the speedy striker looked off side but got through and scored to make it 3-3. It was a fantastic game of football very physical with Sam Richardson being carried off and Cal Smith getting whacked in the face on 3 occasions. I was slightly disappointed with the score as I think we edged the game, but what a good result, only the third team all season to take any points from a very good Upton side.
Match 29
Match Postponed
Match 30
Wed 17th April A C Hoylake 14 Wallasey Wanderers Jaguars 1
Played at The Delph 6.00 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, C Smith, Allen, Caffrey, Johnson, Neville,
Goals Sam A 3
Matthew C 3
Dom Neville 2
Cal Smith 2
Harry Whate
Cal Stone
Sean Johnson
Elliot McDonnell
Hoylake managers Motm Sam Allen
Oppositions Choice Cal Smith
Tonight we faced Wallasey Wanderers Jaguars for the first time this season. They are positioned a couple of places below us in the league, but we were playing on the dreaded Delph, the small pitch where we have struggled a bit this season. So we were not quite sure how this one was going to turn out. Jags won the toss and changed ends so we were battling into the wind for the first half. We started brightly but fell a goal behind on five minutes when a ball was flicked through to a player in an off side position and he ran through to chip it over an out running Luke. Was it going to be one of those games? Straight away we equalised when Dom worked the ball well past a defender. He took it round the keeper to coolly finish. Soon after that we were in front, Cal Smith threaded a ball through for Dom who sent it on for leading scorer Cal Stone to tap in for a well worked goal. Caffers got the third with a shot from inside the area. It wasn’t all one way traffic our defenders had to be very sharp, on such a small pitch it was vital that they kept their line and they did so brilliantly. Joe Lamb put a fantastic last-ditch sliding tackle in. Our fourth was a fantastic long-range chip from Sam Allen this coming minutes after he had rattled the cross bar. Cal Stone was provider for Cal Smith to ram home our fifth. Just before half time Sam Allen made it six. Half Time 6-1.
We made a few changes in the second half as we were in complete control of the game. Caffers made it 7-1.Sam Allen then hit the bar again! He then had another lovely finish for his third. More changes and both strikers where taken off as it was getting a bit out of hand, but that didn’t help as Harry came back on and scored within seconds with a lovely shot that gave the keeper no chance. Joe C pressed forward from the back for a corner and headed narrowly over the bar. The next corner Harry walloped in the box and Caffers scored with a fantastic near post bullet header for his hat trick. Dom then got his second with a nice shot that tucked inside the post and minutes later he hit the same post. Our twelfth was a fantastic long-range free kick from Cal Smith. Number 13 was poked in by Sean and to finish it all off Elliot slammed in a shot that just dipped under the bar giving the keeper no chance. What a performance only the four defenders and keeper didn’t score. We defended well when we had to with it being a small pitch the ball moved around quickly. I was pleased as although we where scoring for fun even after making many changes we still passed the ball around and played as a team. Our biggest ever win in the history of this age group!!
Match 31
Sun 20th April A C Hoylake 9 Manor Inter 0
Played at Arrowe Park 1.00pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mccrudden, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, C Smith, Allen, Caffrey, Johnson, A Jones, W Smith
Goals Cal Stone 4
Sam A 2
Alex Jones 2
Harry Whate
Hoylake managers Motm Sam Allen
Oppositions Choice Cal Stone
Today it was a trip to Arrowe Park in the drizzle on a strange shaped pitch to face bottom of the table Manor Inter. We were hopeful of a win although we had heard that Inter were a much improving side but today they only had nine players. We started brightly with good possession, Will was threading some nice passes through and it was a ball from him after good work from Cal Smith that led to our first goal with Cal Stone prodding it home. We started to create a lot of openings Cal Stone had a shot very well saved and Alex went close with a header, Cal Shot over from close range. He then got our second after Alex played him through. Harry then sent a lovely cross in and Will rose well but his header went straight into the impressive keepers arms. Alex put us three up after Caffers had played the ball through. Alex then had another chance that just went over the bar. We were in complete control of the game at half time although only three up we had missed lots of chances with some poor finishing. Ht 3-0.
The second half carried on in the same fashion when Inter did get the ball there was no way through our solid defenders. In the whole game the ball did not enter our penalty area, Luke in goal only had two touches and he didn’t get to pick the ball up at all. Our fourth goal came after nice interplay between Sam Allen and Harry the ball then landed at the feet of Alex who smashed it in the corner of the net. Minutes later the keeper dived brilliantly to deny Alex his third. Joe Lamb ventured forward and had a shot that brushed the post. Cal Stone put us five up with another great finish when one on one with the keeper. Harry got the sixth after a good run and a nice finish. Joe Lamb then hit a rocket of a shot that the keeper somehow managed to keep out. Sam Allen poked in the seventh after a lovely ball in from Will. He also got our eighth after Cal Stone had hit the inside of the post and Sam tapped it in. Cal Stone sealed our scoring with his fourth of the game. It was a good win although some of our first half chances had been wasted. We completely ran the play in a very one sided game
Match 32
Sun 27th April A C Hoylake2 Delta Colts 3
Played at Newton Park 2.30 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, W Smith, C Smith, Allen, Neville, Caffrey, Haste,
Goals M Caffrey
D Neville
Hoylake managers Motm Elliot McDonnell
Oppositions Choice Cal Smith
Today we were up against third in the league Delta Colts a very strong side so it was sure to be entertaining stuff. We started the stronger with some good passing football. Delta had the best early chance with Luke having to dive at the feet of a striker. Our first good chance came after Caffers had put a lovely ball through for Cal Stone to chase, he ran on to it well and out paced the defence but the keeper came out and saved his shot well. A few minutes later Harry put a lovely corner in the box it bobbled around and was eventually cleared off the line by a defender. We fell a goal behind after a corner was half cleared and a strong shot sneaked inside the post. We kept battling and Caffers had a shot that went narrowly wide. We fell two behind after a free kick was powered into the corner of the goal. Half time 0-2.
We felt we were not out of this game Delta had just taken their chances well. We were awarded a free kick just outside the area, Cal Smith stepped up but his shot went just wide.
We were pressing well and our first goal came after Harry looped the ball over to the far post and Dom rammed it home. Delta were keeping our defenders busy Joe Lamb, Elliot, Ben and Nathan were dealing with everything that was thrown at them. We were soon level another great Harry corner was floated in and Caffers rose well to nod it in and draw us level. It was a very physical game in difficult conditions with the rain hammering down. Our midfield were now fighting for everything, but it was Delta who got back in front after the strong striker managed to get back to his feet quickly after Joe lamb slid in to win the ball, the ball spun back into the path of the Delta player and he took it round Luke and poked it in from a tight angle. We felt hard done to towards the end of the game with a strong penalty appeal turned down and Cal Stone was obstructed when clean through but the ref didn’t see it that way.
It was a disappointing result but the lads fought hard and played some nice football against a very big and strong Delta side.
Match 33
Tues 29th April A C Hoylake15 New Brighton Saints 1
Played at Arrowe Park 6.00 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mccrudden, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, W Smith, C Smith, Johnson, Caffrey, Richardson, A Jones, Plante,
Goals Toby Plante 4
Alex Jones 2
Will Smith 2
Cal Stone
Cal Smith
Matty Caffrey
Matty Mccrudden
Joe Lamb
Sean Johnson
Sam Richardson
Hoylake managers Motm Matthew Mccrudden
Oppositions Choice Will Smith
Due to the goals being taken down at Newton Park we ventured up the road to Arrowe Park to play New Brighton Saints, the first team we played this season. We started well with the midfield linking well and passing the ball round nicely and Cal Stone immediately causing havoc in the penalty area with a couple of early efforts. It took us seven minutes to break the deadlock, Harry floated a lovely ball in and Alex controlled it well to slot home from close range. Will was working hard out wide on the left he made some space and blazed his shot just wide, but he got another chance minutes later and his shot was brilliantly saved but it fell to the feet of Cal Stone who rammed it home. Our third came from a lovely ball through the middle from Caffers that Cal Stone flicked through to the path of Alex who buried it. Saints did have a go at us from time to time but Toy was solid on the left. They did get through and Luke was forced into a diving save to push the ball round the post. Our next effort was from Toy who shot just over the bar. Cal Smith found some space on the right and he put a ball into the box that flew into the top corner of the net. Caffers was provider again for Toby to get his first of the game. Toy then got his first of the season with a thunderous shot that dipped under the bar after Will had laid him off. Half Time 6-0.
Our pressure continued in the second half, Sam Richardson sent a lovely free kick in the box and Toby knocked it in. Toby then got his third when he beat the keeper to the ball and took it round him to find the empty net. Caffers got our ninth after Will banged a corner into the box. The Tenth came from Toby; he shot high into the corner of the net with an unstoppable shot. Saints then got one back to make it 10-1.
They showed some good spirit and kept on going. Number eleven came after Toy played a ball up the left to Cal Smith he then sent a pinpoint ball in for Sam Richardson to slot home. Will got the next with a great low shot into the corner of the net. Joe Lamb then pushed forward and took the ball coolly round the keeper to finish. Will then got his second of the game. Sean sealed our scoring to make it 15-1.A great performance and we broke our scoring record once again this season.
Match 34
Thurs 1st May A C Hoylake10 Wallasey Wanderers Jaguars 0
Played at Arrowe Park 6.00 ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Whate, Stone, Lamb, McDonnell, C Smith, Haste, Johnson, Caffrey, Allen, A Jones, Plante,
Goals Toby Plante 2
Cal Stone 2
Alex Jones
Harry Whate
Cal Smith
Matty Caffrey
Sam Allen
Og
Hoylake managers Motm Matthew Caffrey
Oppositions Choice Toby Plante
Tonight it was the re match from a fortnight ago when we won at the Delph fairly comfortably, but Jags had a few players back so we had to be cautious. We started brightly and won a free kick on two minutes after the keeper was adjudged to have taken his kick from outside the area, Cal Smith stepped up and rattled the cross bar. A minute later bizarrely the same incident occurred much to the Jags keepers dismay, this time Cal buried the free kick into the top right hand corner of the net, unstoppable! This spurred us on, Joe lamb pressed forward and shot narrowly wide. Our second goal came after some good wide play from Harry he sent a lovely ball in the box for Cal Stone to slot home. Cal Smith then had a good effort well saved. Jags were pressing hard and were keeping our defenders on their toes, they did break through and Luke was forced into an excellent save tipping the ball wide. We won a free kick just inside our half; Cal Smith took it quickly deceiving the jags, Cal Stone charged on to it to bang it past the keeper for his second of the game. With us comfortably ahead changes were made quickly with the front two Cal and Sam swapped for Alex and Toby. Within a couple of minutes Toby had scored, he won the ball out on the right and looped a long-range chip over the keeper’s head. Our fifth came when Harry put another teasing cross in the box and a defender nodded it into his own net under pressure. The energetic Caffers who seems to run forever and is always trying to win the ball knocked in our sixth. Jags still pressed on occasion and shot narrowly wide of the left hand post. Our seventh goal was a fantastic move, Luke’s kick out was flicked on by Cal Smith to Joe H who in turn played Alex through, he sent it on for strike partner Toby whose shot was saved but fell in the direction of Harry who ran in to slam it home. Half Time 7-0
More rotation in the second half but the boys still passed the ball round well and although we were a little bit busier at the back we looked in control of things with the back four of Joe Lamb, Elliot, Ben and Nathan all playing well. Toby forced in our eighth goal. Alex tapped in our ninth after another great ball in from Harry. Our final goal was a nice finish from Sam Allen after Ben had played a nice through ball. That ended our scoring but we had a host of other chances with Harry shooting just over the bar, Cal Smith having an effort cleared off the line and Caffers heading narrowly over from a corner. Yet again another very pleasing performance from the whole team and always nice to keep a clean sheet.
Match 35
Sun 4th May A C Hoylake 4 Greenleas 3
Played at Arrowe Park 1.00pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Mclelland, Whate, Stone, Haste, McDonnell, W Smith, C Smith, Caffrey, Richardson, Plante, Neville,
Goals Toby Plante 2
Dom Neville
Cal Stone
Hoylake managers Motm Sam Richardson
Oppositions Choice Matthew Caffrey
Today we faced old foes Greenleas at Arrowe Park it was bound to be another close game as we had just squeezed past them 4-3 earlier in the season. With Joe Lamb not available today and Joe c still away we lined up with a make shift defence of Nath, Elliot,Ben and Joe Haste. It was a fairly even start but Greenleas made the better chances with Luke forced into a fine double save early on. Greenleas scored first after the excellent left-winger made a good run through and rounded Luke to poke in from a tight angle. Our best early chance came after some good work from Toby, he found Cal Stone who shot narrowly wide. Our first goal came from a long free kick taken by Joe H; Toby ran through and toed it past the keeper. Harry then nodded narrowly wide after another Joe H free kick was sent into the box. Toby had another good effort well saved. Five minutes before half time Greenleas edged in front again with another superb finish. Soon after this Will found some space on the left but his final shot made the side netting. Harry too made some space and had a long range shot that hit the underside of the bar Half Time 1-2.
Our second goal came early in the half after Cal Smith sent a quick free kick in and Cal Stone controlled well but left it to Dom to shoot and finish beautifully. We then had a lot of attacking play Sam Richardson was spraying some good balls around. Toby had good efforts, one wide and one just over the bar and Cal Stone had a couple of really good chances but we just couldn’t find the net. Against the run of play we fell behind for the third time in the game, Luke got a finger to a long-range shot but couldn’t keep it out. We were thinking about all the chances we had squandered but still we would fight on. Greenleas were soon awarded a free kick in a dangerous area but Luke saved the ball easily. Back down at the other end we were given a penalty after Dom had been tripped, but Cal Smith had it saved brilliantly by the Greenleas keeper diving low to his left. Minutes later we drew level for the third time in the match, Sam R sent a looping ball in the box and Toby rose bravely to head past the keeper. Finally we edged in front with five minutes to go Cal Stone ramming the ball home after a throw from Sam R and good work from Toby. The last five minutes seemed to take forever but we hung on for a good battling win. A very good all round team performance.
match 36
Tuesday 6th May A C Hoylake 3 Beechwood Falcons 2
Played at Arrowe Park 6.00pm ko
Squad Williams, Eyre-Jones, Lamb, Corkill, Whate, Stone, Haste, McDonnell, C Smith, Caffrey, Richardson, Jones, Neville,
Goals Dom Neville 2
Sam Allen
Hoylake managers Motm Luke Williams
Oppositions Choice Matthew Caffrey
Tonight it was our last league game of the season and we faced fourth in the table Beechwood.It was going to be another tough match and it was a very warm evening with the sun shining down on us. We started brightly with the midfield threading some nice balls through, I think Falcons where shocked by our slick passing. It was Falcons who had the best early chance with a shot that just went wide. At the other end Harry made some space for himself but his shot just rose over the bar. Ten minutes gone and we took the lead, Harry and Caffers linked well together and the ball came across to the feet of Sam Allen he controlled well and finished beautifully. We were creating more and more chances now and Caffers went close with shots on a couple of occasions but we were coming under pressure by Falcons and Luke was forced into an excellent double save to keep the scores level. Back at the other end Cal Smith tried his luck and shot narrowly wide. Falcons got their equaliser with a shot high into the corner of the goal after some good interplay. We kept our heads up and Caffers had another shot just over the bar and Cal Smith had one brilliantly tipped round the post by the impressive Falcons keeper. It was such a warm night we rotated the front two and within minutes Alex had dinked in and out of a couple of defenders and laid Dom off, he buried the ball with a great effort to put us back in front. Five minutes later it was a carbon copy, more excellent work form Alex yet again finding Dom and this time he shot low into the corner to put us 3-1 ahead. Half time 3-1.
The second half was different story to the dominant first we had definitely wilted a bit in the heat. Falcons where coming at us more and more but we worked our socks off to keep them out, the defenders battled hard and Luke made a couple of fantastic saves. We won a free kick just outside the area, Cal Smith stepped up and shot but it was well saved by the keeper it bounced around close to the Falcons goal but they managed to clear it after a scramble. Falcons got a goal back, they had a run of corners and a shot came in that Luke managed to keep out but the re bound was hit that hard it nearly broke the net. It was going to be a tough last fifteen minutes. Harry yet again made some excellent space jumping over a couple of tackles and the keeper tipped his final shot around the post. Cal Stone ran round two defenders but his excellent shot was also tipped over the bar. More corners at the other end but we worked well at the back to clear after coming under lots of pressure. We hung on for one of our best wins of the season. Another great performance by the whole team. A brilliant run to the end of the season losing only one game in the last nine and scoring 64 and only letting in 16. You boys have all done yourselves proud this season.
