JUNIOR FOOTBALL ROUND-UP: A DEPLETED Rishton United Under 13s still managed a 3-0 win against Rossendale.
Dylan Palmer was MOTM but a special mention must go to Niall Malone who came back from a serious injury and scored.
In the Accrington and District League 50th Anniversary Tournament, Rishton's Under 11s reached the quarter-final but lost 3-0 to Great Harwood after all three goals were conceded in the first five minutes. Rishton’s Patrick Woods, Matt Aspinall and Liam Clough worked tirelessly and Tom Bartley controlled the midfield.
They then took part in the Consolation Cup quarter-final where they saw off Huncoat United on a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw. Liam Clough slotted home the first spot kick before Patrick Wood saved Huncoat’s first and Tom Bartley made it 2-0. Huncoat had to score to stay in the tie but another save from Woods secured a semi-final place. However they lost the last four encounter to Pendle Forest 3-0 with a lack of concentration at the back leaving Rishton chasing the game.
The Under 12s lost 5-2 to Barrowford Celtic. Rishton had chances to win the game but could not finish. Ryan Cothliff had a penalty saved by the keeper before they equalised through Jack Goggins to make it 1-1 at half-time. Rishton took the lead early in the second half when Cothliff again fired home. But injuries forced Rishton to rearrange their side and Barrowford equalised before scoring three more. MOTM was Keiran Higham.
The Under 15s Blue won 8-2 against Rossendale Valley. Liam McNulty (two) opened the scoring before Hassan Akhtar (two) made it 4-1 at half-time. Akhtar celebrated a hat-trick after the re-start before it was 5-2. McNulty scored the last three to win Referee’s MOTM while Rishton’s MOTM was Hassan Akhtar.
HUNCOAT UNITED: The Under nines ran out 6-1 winners over Wilpshire Wanderers while the Under 10s drew 3-3 with Whalley. The Under 16s lost 1-0 to Readstone United.
GREYHOUND FORD: The Under 10s lost 2-0 to St Josephs. Manager’s MOTM was Jamie Alexander.
CHURCH: The Under 16s lost 6-2 to Borrowdale United. Church conceded three early goals before Oliver Marsden replied with a 20 yard rocket and Referee’s MOTM Josh Billington also got on the scoresheet.
