Forefield U15s make their point and double up with league for a season to remember

Apr 30 2009 by James Connor, Crosby Herald

Forefield Rangers U15s 2

Billinge United 2

IN their final league game of the 2008-09 season, Forefield added the Craven Minor League title to an earlier cup triumph with a hard-earned point against their biggest rivals for the championship.

Forefield only needed a point to clinch the crown, but a Billinge win would have made them favourites for the title with them having a game in hand.

Forefield started positively, were first to every ball and went 1-0 up with a great strike from Matthew Barton into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Midway through the first half, a foul on Karl Morris resulted in a penalty which Elliot Burke put away with a confident strike.

Trailing 2-0, Billinge naturally came back at Forefield at the start of the second half and reduced the deficit with a goal that maybe looked off-side.

Although Forefield had chances of their own, notably by Morris and Adam Wilkinson, they could not extend the lead and Billinge equalised this absorbing encounter with 15 minutes remaining.

Billinge had the lion's share of the play in the remaining time but resolute defending and harrying up front by Morris and Kieran Kelly meant that the vital point was secured and the title won.

This season's success has been a tremendous achievement and all 18 boys in the squad at various points in the season deserve a lot of credit.

Forefield Lions U16s 4

Aintree Celtic 3

THE game was strongly contested by both sides from the first whistle.

Robbie Robertson opened the scoring for the Lions but direct from the restart, Aintree equalised.

The Lions took the game to Aintree and Robertson scored his second only for a lack of concentration helping Aintree to level matters again.

Just before the break Jason McShane scored to put the Lions 3-2 ahead.

The second half saw great performances from Scott Travers, Peter Henerty, Jack Dowling, Tom Foster and McShane who bagged a second goal to make it 4-2.

With five minutes remaining, Aintree scored a penalty to get them back to 4-3.

The Lions coped with the Aintree pressure in the remaining minutes and deservedly held on for the win. Man-of-the-Match was Dan Burns for a great display.