Warrington’s 14 & under team started their season off after a long break from competitive games with their first game in the Manchester & District League. Warrington started well with a goal from Molly Boniface-Ashton. Connor Lynch scored next as Warrington stated strongly attacking the shallow end. Royton hit back with a shot outside 5metres as the Warrington defence just sat off the Royton attacker. Warrington recovered well with further goals from Connor Lynch and Matt Williams, the quarter ended 4-1 to Warrington.
In the second quarter Warrington took advantage of attacking the deep as a Royton player was excluded Be Dailey scored from the man up within 7 seconds. Next to score were Warrington as Dom Richards playing at Centre forward found Royton’s goal. Emily Bowater then made it three goals in a minute with an excellently taken goal calmly finding the top corner of the goal. Royton were given a chance as Ben Dailey was excluded Warrington however defended the man up and ben re-joined the game. The goals kept coming as Emily Bowater scored her second, Molly Boniface-Ashton scored a second and the excellent Connor Lynch scored his hat trick or the more remarkable as Connor was playing in defence! Warrington’s seven goal spree made the half time score 11-1. I must say at this point that Warrington defended well not least Warrington’s goal keeper Luke Atkinson who intercepted everything thrown at him and then quickly turned defence into attack with great distribution of the ball.
The third quarter started and Royton attacked the deep Royton who played with great determination the ever dangerous Sam Darlington scored for Royton. Warrington hit back with two goals as Ben Dailey scored his second and Connor Lynch his fifth goal! Royton continued to fight back and again Sam Darlington scored to make it 13-3. Warrington had started to rotate players as Emma Horne, Jake Williams and Luke Boardman had a taste of competitive water polo. Before the end of the quarter Emily Bowater and Molly Boniface-Ashton score their third goal each. Connor Lynch unusually was excluded at the end of the quarter but Warrington defended the man up. The quarter ended 15-3 to Warrington.
In the final quarter it was a time to rest some of Warrington’s first seven, to give others a chance to get wet. At the start of the quarter Ben Dailey was excluded after two minutes but then made up for it with his hat trick goal. Royton pulled one back as Sam Darlington scored his fourth goal. With three minutes to go Ben Dailey was wrapped up following his third exclusion but Warrington finished off the quarter with a goal from Matt Williams. The final score was 17-4, with Connor Lynch being Warrington’s best player an excellent team performance.
Royton had some players missing and played a relatively young team but should be praised for their efforts and particularly Sam Darlington who is an excellent player scoring all Royton’s goals.
Warrington’s Team included Luke Atkinson, Ben Dailey (3), Emma Horne, Dom Richards (1), Jake Williams, Emily Bowater (3), Matt Williams (2), Luke Boardman, Molly Boniface-Ashton (3), and Connor Lynch (5).