Birkdale United AFC

Today saw the girls host Crosby Stuart at Carr Lane. Their previous meeting resulted in a 8-1 win to Crosby Stuart, so the team were expecting a tough game. It was a very blustery day and it became obvious that the wind would play a part in the game. With goal kicks frequently going out and the ball hard to control due to the conditions.

Crosby Stuart pressed from the start forcing Birkdale’s keeper E Harrison into a string of excellent saves. But with a combination of Birkdales’ new formation and some outstanding defensive play from A Sykes, C Mentha and E Core the game remained goalless after 10 minutes. At this stage the first substitution took place with C Molyneux coming on into midfield. A couple of minutes later T Elliot had to be substituted after a strong 50-50 tackle resulted in her getting studs in her head. Birkdale held their own and on occasion turned defence into counter attack with attempts on goal from M Price, T Elliot and L Smith the first half finished 0-0.

The second half saw Birkdale continue to fight showing great team spirit, but with the wind blowing against them the girls began to look tired. More rolling substitutions in the second half of A Welford and A Seddon gave Birkdale fresh legs and the girls looked like they might sneak a goal with some good forward play from A Welford and A Seddon putting Crosby Stuart under pressure with a shot just going wide of the post. With five minutes to go the game remained goalless. Crosby Stuart pushed harder for that elusive goal and after a period of concerted pressure resulting in a run of corners one was eventually converted. Birkdale girls never let their heads drop and from the restart the girls tried hard for a goal, putting Crosby Stuart under pressure. This resulted in Crosby Stuart taking advantage of this by getting a second. The final score was 0-2 to Crosby Stuart.

Birkdale played extremely well and it is a testament to the girls how much they have improved in such a short period. The Team spirit was there for all to see.

The management awarded their POM to E Harrison Birkdale goalkeeper for an outstanding display.

A slow start to the game by Birkdale taking a while to settle into their stride.

Birkdale’s first goal came after nine minutes from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area blasted into the top corner of the net by J. Frew, 0 – 1.

Two minutes later a corner taken by B. Pike dropped into the middle of the six yard box and S. Howard stabbed the ball into the net, 0 – 2.

Birkdale continued to apply pressure but squandered several chances to extend their lead.

Two minutes before half time Birkdale paid the price for not killing the game off when Redgate grabbed a breakaway goal, pretty much their first real chance of the game, 1 – 2.

The half time team talk had the desired effect and Birkdale started the second half with much more purpose.

After five minutes L. Jackson ran through on goal resisting some robust defending to slide the ball past the advancing keeper, 1 – 3.

The next chance fell to J. Grant who unluckily saw his great shot come back off the crossbar and Redgate were able to clear the danger.

Two minute later B. Pike grabbed a goal with fine run and great chip over the keepers head, 1 – 4.

Birkdale continued to apply pressure but squandered yet more chances until they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.   Once again J. Frew stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner of the net, 1 – 5.

The final goal of the game was scored by J. Young with a header when the ball bounced back off the crossbar from a shot by L. Jackson, 1 – 6.

A comfortable win for Birkdale in the end, it could so easily have been in double figures with some more clinical finishing in front of goal.   The second half performance was much better than the first with some good performances from a number of players.

It was decided to award joint Man of the Match again this week to J. Grant for a commanding and assured performance in midfield and L. Williams for some surging runs down the right wing and regularly getting the ball into the danger area.

Crosby Stuart vs. Birkdale United, a much improved Crosby Stuart side made it very difficult for the visiting Birkdale side, the home team were doing very well getting their bodies behind the ball.

Birkdale were beginning to wonder if they ever going to get near the Crosby goal to keep the pressure on for a title. Thankfully Heron popped up and eased the visiting sided nerves with a vital goal. 

Birkdale stuck it out for a 1-0 win against a very tough team that never gave up. 

Dolan in defence was Girl of the Match

Allitt and McCollah also had great games.

A great day for football as the Diamonds played Burscough .After our recent up and down performances we didn’t no which team would turn up. With Sykes missing in defence the Diamonds made a change with Core stepping into defence.

A bright start by both teams on a well worn pitch that wasn’t particularly conducive to playing attractive football.

Birkdale’s first goal came after six minutes from a cross headed down by L. Jackson to L. Aindow who buried the ball in the top of the net, 0 – 1.

The game ebbed and flowed for the next 15 minutes with both teams having chances but neither side being able to gain any advantage.

The second goal finally came after 22 minutes from a corner which caused a goal mouth scramble with the ball falling to S. Howard just inside the six yard box and he blasted it into the net, 0 – 2.

The score remained the same until half time.

Just five minutes into the second half, L. Manwaring grabbed the third goal from another corner slotting the ball into the net, 0 – 3.

And only three minutes later L. Jackson kept his great goal scoring run going when he grabbed the fourth goal, 0 – 4.

The last goal of the game came eight minutes from time from another corner taken by M. Rimmer and fired into the net by C. Fitzgerald, 0 – 5.

Birkdale had a couple more chances to extend their lead further when a fierce shot from J. Grant was only parried by the keeper and L. Manwaring slid the ball just wide of the post and then L. Jackson made a great solo run and saw his shot come back off the crossbar.

On the whole a good performance from Birkdale. Hesketh Colts always looked dangerous on the break but thanks to good defending by Howard, Young and Hampson, they were not able to break through.

It was decided to award joint Man of the Match again this week to S. Howard for his solid defending and L. Manwaring for a solid contribution in midfield.

Dynamo Rangers were unable to field a team. Birkdale United awarded 1-0 win.

The Managers’ Meeting is on Sunday 22nd February 2009, at the Blundell Arms, Birkdale. It will commence at 6.30pm. All Managers are expected to attend, any apologies should be forwarded to Club Secretary, Sharon Caul.

Town Green vs. Birkdale United. Slow starting Birkdale kept with tradition going a goal down early in the game, a good battling performance saw the girls wrestle three goals back with Pring, Ormerod and Armstrong grabbing them. This was a fantastic comeback with a difficult heavy, muddy pitch.

Girl of the Match was awarded to S. Kelly for an excellent performance.

Birkdale United Under 9′s went into the second Under 9′s Fun Day full of confidence. The girls have been working very hard with Manager Peter since the last Fun Day and have improved dramatically over the last months. (more…)

A cold snowy day was the greeting Birkdale Girls received upon their arrival at Wigan’s home pitch. A good warm up and some ball work before that game got the girls ready for the kick off. (more…)