JUNIOR FOOTBALL ROUND-UP: Rishton United Under nine Reds drew 1-1 with Brierfield Celtic White on Sunday.

They went one-goal down although Declan Mercer, Evan O’Carroll and Xander Braysford all came close to an equaliser. It finally came when Kyle Essery had a shot on goal which deflected off the keeper’s back and Braysford was there to force the ball home. Man of the Match was Declan Mercer.

On Saturday, the Under nines Blue lost 1-0 to league leaders Crown Paints. The only goal came when a deflection off Thomas Taylor diverted the ball past an otherwise unbeatable Simon Avison.

Sam Steer was given MOTM by the referee while Simon Avison got the Manager’s MOTM.

The Under 12s lost 5-0 to Burnley West End - despite it being goalless at half-time and Rishton missing a host of chances most notably through Liam Clough and Andrew Noblet.

After the break, Burnley got one back and then Rishton’s heads went down. MOTM was Liam Clough.

The Under 13s lost 1-0 to Huncoat United. Alister Lofthouse missed a good chance in the first half and had a goal disallowed.

Huncoat scored a controversial goal after the break with Rishton appealing it was off-side but, despite chances through Jack Goggins and Nat Oldham, they couldn’t equalise. Rishton are now relegated.

The Under 16s Blue lost 10-0 to Oswaldtwistle FC and, after a three week break, Rishton were found wanting. Ossy were kicking with a strong wind behind them and within 10 minutes Rishton were 2-0 down. Elliott Kinder hit the post but it was all Ossy.

Tom Pollard and Damian Wheatcroft were playing well in the centre of defence but the pressure told and at half-time they trailed 5-0.

The second half was a re-run of the first with Pollard and Wheatcroft defending well but injuries to both players and no substitutes meant a change round of positions that gave Ossy more chances. Kinder had a shot on goal given offside and was unlucky with two other shots. Rishton tired and, as the game went on, 0ssy took their chances.

Referee’s MOTM was Damian Wheatcroft while Rishton’s MOTM was Tom Pollard.

Elsewhere, the Under 10 Reds lost 1-0 to Barnoldswick Barons.

After getting their first win in their last outing, Rishton were hoping to build on that but lost the game by an own goal against a side who are pushing to be champions. United keeper Nathan Clark had a strong game.

In the East Lancashire Football Alliance League, United put six past Feniscowles without reply.

This was despite losing regular keeper George Conlon to illness, but Amaan Mirdad and Oliver Jones stepped in.

The first goal was scored by Ben Larnach after some good build-up play from Joseph Demaine who tormented the Feniscowles defence and also ended up on the scoresheet himself to cap a MOTM performance.

Jack Kennedy was next to score after a fine individual run down the right wing followed by a powerful shot that left the keeper with no chance.

The second half was all Rishton as Feniscowles could not break through with Dylan Gregg getting a deserved goal after working unselfishly up front and a further two goals for Larnach completing yet another hat-trick.

The Under 11s Blue lost 5-3 to Crown Paints, meaning they missed out on moving into second spot.

They were hampered with missing players with Mark Devine and keeper Lewis Ainscough out and Kieron Brinsmead-Williams picked up an injury during the game.

Rishton were 2-0 down after two defensive lapses. At the other end, only Joel Davies looked likely to score.

Rishton pulled one back after the break through Matthew Thornley’s sixth goal of the season.

But within minutes, Crown were two goals up again when Rishton’s defence didn’t challenge or clear. Crown got their fourth with another error in Rishton’s midfield before Rishton rallied, Brandon Wright made up for an earlier mistake with a good finish to make it 4-2.

But Crown got a fifth to kill the game off although there was still time for Sam Malone’s shot to hit the post, then Joel Davies and Matthew Thornley went close and Crown’s keeper made two good saves.

At the end, Malone’s corner was volleyed straight in by Owen Streacey for 5-3 on full-time. Opposition MOTM was Sam Malone while Kieron Brinsmead-Williams got the Manager’s MOTM.

ST JOSEPHS: The Under 13s were left ruing missed chances as they lost 4-2 against Blackburn Eagles.

Even in a lack lustre performance the Saints still created enough opportunites to take something from the game but it wasn't to be as their recent good run came to an end.

A superb double from Coby Fish was their only consolation and it took some good defending from Liam Flanagan, Declan Southward, Jonathan Whittle and Josh Heap, backed up by a superb performance from keeper Noah Stevens, to keep the score down.

GREYHOUND FORD: The Under 16s had a comfortable but frustrating win over a nine-men Rossendale United. Brandon Barski opened the scoring after five minutes and then doubled the lead a minute later.

Rossendale then decided to get all nine men behind the ball and the score at half-time was 3-0, thanks to a close range deflection from Robert Makey.

The second half proved to be just as frustrating, but Matthew Murray found the net.

Luke Turner scored next with a superb dribble in the box, beating four men before slipping the ball past the keeper. Robert Makey then smashed home a cracking header from a Sam Cox cross with five minutes to go. Declan Hewitt was awarded the MOTM.

CHURCH FC: The Under 14s faced fellow in-form side Life Academy and both preserved their unbeaten record with a 1-1 draw.

Church managed to find the back of the net after 12 minutes with a cross from the left wing from Jordan Howe, met by a good finish by Jordan Haworth. Within 10 minutes it was all-square with both teams then looking for a winner.

In the last few minutes, Church tried to secure the three points and had three good chances cleared off the line. MOTM Tom Quraishi.

GREAT HARWOOD ROVERS: The Under nine Yellow played four games over the last few weeks.

In the latest they won 1-0 against Blue Star to make it five away league wins for the season so far. Harwood scored the winner 11 minutes into the second half, the ball was played into the penalty box which resulted in a goalmouth scramble and the ball hit Slattery’s shin and bounced into the back of the net.

Rovers could have doubled their lead in the closing stages with Slattery and Sagar both going close.

In the previous game, Rovers lost 4-0 to Crown Paints Black and, despite a good first half with Reagan Bolton going close, they trailed 2-0 at half-time. They tried to get back into the game but Crown took charge with two more goals. MOTM was Danny Smith.

They also lost 2-1 to Rossendale United with Sagar on target and, mid February, won 3-0 against Globe Bullough Park with Slattery scoring twice and Douglas grabbing the other.

AGSA: The Under 12s got their revenge with a 1-0 win over last week’s victorious opponents Brierfield Celtic. Molly Waring scored the winner and Player of the Match was Holly Sharp.

The Under 17s returned to league action this Sunday against last weekend’s semi-final opponents Penwortham. And their good form continued with a 6-0 win with two goals each from Amy Sturgess, Chloe Roberts and Sam Bailey. Player of the Match was Hannah Furey.

Any amateur team wanting to put a match report in the Accrington Observer email accringtonsports@menmedia.co.uk by Tuesday lunch-time.