On Friday 21st June seven 12 & under players visited Tyldesley to play two match’s in the newly formatted competition for 12 year olds in the Manchester & District League match followed by a Bolton and District knockout match.
The only amendment to the rules for this age group was the pitch was shortened to half length two half’s of ten minutes play and that only six players could be in the water at any one time.
The first half started well for Warrington as Molly Ashton scored the first goal. Tyldesley soon equalised but within seconds of the restart Molly Ashton scored her second goal of the game. Connor Lynch pushed the score to 3-1 to Warrington before the end of the quarter. The whole team kept their cool despite a noisy large crowd of spectators.
In the second half Warrington increased their grip on the game with Molly Ashton scoring her hat trick goal. Again Tyldesley struck back to make it 2-4. Further goals then came from Warrington’s Ben Daily and two from Connor Lynch securing a 2-7 victory.
A quick 5 minute change around and the next match started this time in the B&D knockout. Starting with the same seven players, Ben Dailey got Warrington off to a good start with a goal after 20 seconds. In the next minute Ben Dailey score again as Warrington started to take control. Tyldesley looked tired as Warrington looked as if they had plenty of energy and capable of scoring on each attack. Warrington scored a further six goals without reply from Connor Lynch, three consecutive goals from Molly Ashton, a third goal from Ben Dailey and Dom Richards scoring Warrington’s eighth goal. Warrington was due to play in a tournament the next morning so I asked the players to slow it down a little in the second half. In the final half Warrington scored four goals, two from Dom Richards and two from Connor Lynch. Tyldesley didn’t give up and scored a goal in the final minutes, in an otherwise perfect performance from our goal keeper Luke Atkinson. The final score was 12-1 to Warrington.
Other notable performances came from Jake Williams and Katie Bowater who worked hard in defence and attack. I was proud of the whole team it what was at times a physical game. Warrington are due to play Royton in the semi final of the B&D K.O. Hopes are high of Warrington getting to the final as they recently beat Royton 13-1.
Warrington’s team included:- Luke Atkinson GK, Molly Ashton(6), Ben Dailey (4), Dom Richards (3), Connor Lynch (6), Jake Williams, Katie Bowater.