"It was our best game of the season so far," said Elswick & Inskip Whites manager Andrew Stewart after their Under-10s fixture against Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues proved a good choice for our Blackpool and District Youth Football League match of the week.
READ MORE:Kirkham Junior Reds v Warton FC
Andrew added: "It was a tough game and the lads did really well. They kept fighting to the end and there were some outstanding performances."
Their strong opponents were a Wren Rovers team we featured in January in the under-eights competition.
They are playing a year up this season and manager Mathew Middleman told The Gazette: "We've been placed in division five, and we played friendlies against teams in divisions three and four and held our own.
"Every single game has been a good contest and the boys are enjoying it more at seven-a-side, with bigger pitches and more time on the ball.
"It means we can say yes to new players wanting to join. Eight have been with us from the start and three more have joined this season."
There has been more of a turnover at the Whites as Andrew explains: "We're pretty much a new team this season and they are just starting to bond, though two players have been with us since the start."
Both managers have run their team since the beginning of its journey. Mathew added: "We actually started training as under-sixes, then joined the Youth League as under-sevens and won the Hogan Plate in our first season. Coach Matt Cowburn has been with me from the start."
Andrew's role with the Whites adds to his list of youth football commitments but they are all worth it.
He explained: "This team started as under-eights because they had too many players for one team. I was managing my daughter's team at Kirkham Juniors at the time Elswick and Inskip advertised. I thought I'd just be stepping in for a short time but now it's the third season.
"I still manage Kirkham Reds Under-16s as well as being on the committee at Kirkham and welfare officer at Elswick. But what matters is that the players enjoy it and progress, which the Whites are doing."
Tommy's excellent finishing saw him named coaches' player of the match for Wren Rovers, while Parker's solid performance all over the pitch earned him the parents' award. He operates mainly in defence and always works hard.
The parents choose the Elswick & Inskip player of the match and selected Finley for his great determination in defence, pushing the team forward.
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Elswick & Inskip Junior Whites Under-10s
Elswick & Inskip Junior Whites Under-10s
Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues Under-10s
Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues Under-10s
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues
Action from Elswick & Inskip Whites U10s v Blackpool Wren Rovers Blues