WHALLEY ARROWS Under-10s 2

HASLINGDEN JUNIORS 1

IT WAS a very even game for the first five minutes and it took a Giggs-type run from Alex Smith who beat four men in a mazy run that started in his own penalty area and ended with him slotting the ball past the Haslingden keeper.

Haslingden fought back well and equalised just before half time.

In the second half Whalley retook the lead with an own goal and try as they may, Haslingden couldn't break down the Arrows defence in which Michael Dilworth and Robert Kellaway were outstanding. Alex Smith was voted man of the match for his non-stop running and tackling round off by his superb goal.

OSSY JUNIORS 0

WHALLEY ARROWS Under-10s 1

WITH a new formation Whalley Arrows played some of their best football all season. Their passing, communication skills and unselfish play was a joy to watch for manager Jon Smith. Whalley started the better and took the lead when Alex Smith got on the end of a Mark Astley pass to finish off a six-man move.

Ossy fought their way back into the game, but could make no impression on the Whalley defence which was outstanding. Michael Dilworth in goal, Robert Kellaway and man of the match Gary Micallef in defence and James Richardson and Marlon Murray up front, were all outstanding in a great team show.

KNUZDEN 0

WHALLEY TIGERS Under-10s 1

A VERY even and sportingly fought contest saw the Tigers take the points against a good Knuzden side. Knuzden were on top in the opening stages, but Whalley fought back and by half time it was end to end stuff.

In the second half Whalley began to get on top and deservedly scored the winner with two minutes to go when substitute Simon Pirie crossed and Ben Wright gleefully crashed the ball home to claim the points. Maitland Steel was voted man of the match.

WHALLEY TIGERS Under-10s 0

OSSY VILLA A 1

WHALLEY again started slowly, but gradually came into the game only to concede a bizarre own goal when a defender headed past his own keeper from a back pass.

Whalley showed tremendous character to fight their way back into the game and even though they had more of the ball in the second half they found the Ossy defence in brilliant form. Bobby Westwood was voted man of the match for defending superbly throughout the game, and Maitland Steel was again outstanding up front. WHALLEY Under-11s 2

WATERFOOT BOYS 0

WHALLEY took control of proceedings on five minutes with a well-taken goal by Jon Brooks. Whalley continued to play the better football in the first half and Waterfoot were restricted to breakaways.

In the second half Whalley continued to dominate play and man of the match Sam Dean sealed victory with a fine second goal for the Villagers. This was an excellent team performance by Whalley.

WILLOW MOUNT 8

WHALLEY Under-12s 1

WILLOW Mount proved far too strong for Whalley Under 12s who nevertheless, in spite of conceding goals at regular intervals, never gave up trying. They trailed 4-0 at the break, but scored a consolation goal direct from a corner in the second half. Joel Beckett was man of the match for Whalley.

WHALLEY Under-14s 3

BLACKBURN EAGLES 5

THIS pulsating semi-final saw Blackburn Eagles make the early running and to take the lead from a corner after about 10 minutes.

Whalley were playing some fine football on the break, but the Eagles struck again with another goal from a fine header to make it 2-0.

Play was swinging from end-to-end and slowly Whalley made inroads into the Eagles defence and Jamie Barnes latched on to a fine through ball from Mark Langley to slot the ball past the advancing keeper after 25 minutes.

A couple of minutes before the half-time break, Mark Langley finished off a four-man move when he headed a superb equaliser from a Barnes cross.

Whalley, buoyed by their equaliser, started the second period brighter and five minutes into the half, man of the match Barnes scored his second goal and Whalley's third to take the lead for the first time. Play now swung from end to end and Whalley missed a couple of chances to clinch the match, but shot wide when in goalscoring positions.

With 10 minutes to go, James Nelson made a great save to preserve Whalley's lead.

Time was running out for Eagles when they scored a dramatic equaliser with eight minutes to go.

This lifted them and two minutes later they scored a fantastic fourth to retake the lead.

Whalley pushed everyone forward but were caught out in injury time as Eagles made the final score 5-3.

WHALLEY Under-16s 4

DARWEN CRICKET CLUB 1

DARWEN took the lead after 10 minutes against the run of play. Adam Stevenson deservedly equalised 15 minutes later when he converted a Paul Watson cross. In the second half Whalley dominated the game and scored two quick goals through Aiden Whalley to make it 3-1.

Darwen tried to fight back but were finally killed off with a Paul Duxbury goal which sealed the points for Whalley. Mick Walsh, Ben Callon and Sam Stell were outstanding for Whalley. Paul Duxbury was voted man of the match.

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