THIS week the Citizen invites its young readers to try their hand at being a local reporter. We want youngsters to write stories which will be published in your priceless weekly newspaper. The articles can be about anything that interests young people. Funny features or controversial issues, local sport reports or hard news stories - it's up to you to dig up the news.

Like all reporters your work will be thoroughly checked by the editor and should be no more than 400 words long.

Eight-year-old Stephen Porter starts us off with a match report about the recent Morecambe versus Manchester United game.

So, if you're a wannabee newshound aged between seven and 16, drop us a line at Victoria Court, Penny St, Lancaster, LA1 1XN. LAST week I went to Christie Park to watch the Morecambe versus Manchester United testimonial match for Andy Grimshaw and Ben Lavelle.

As I sat in the stand watching the players warm up I couldn't decide who to shout for because I support Morecambe for my local team but I am also a full member of Manchester United Supporters' Club.

Once the game had started I wasn't bothered who had won as long as it was a good game. Both sides played fast, passing football which was first class.

After 38 minutes United went one up with a cracking goal by Mark Wilson and this was how it ended at half time.

Just into the second half United scored again. The scorer in the 51st minute was Ben Thornley who put them three up 16 minutes later. Morecambe were always on the attack but were unsuccessful when trying to get the ball into the back of the net.

In the 74th minute Philip Mulryne put United 4-0 up and, just after play continued, Ben Thornley did a superb pass to Jamie Wood to put United 5-0 up in the 78th minute.

Four minutes later Ben Thornley got his hat-trick to make United easy winners at 6-0.

Well done to both teams as the players tried hard and the crowd enjoyed it. The only disappointment was that my favourite player 'Gnasher' went off injured and that there were no first team players from Old Trafford as promised before the game.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.