B&DYFL: Junior footballers' final flourish at Blackpool FC

Getting their first taste of the big day in a Hogan Cup final were the U7s of Poulton FC and Poulton Town Pumas.

Poulton FC won 8-4 thanks to goals from Frankie (3), Seth (2), Elliot, Louie and Bobby.

Winning manager Mark Watkinson told The Gazette: “It was a good game between the two best U7s teams, though we managed to stay a couple of goals ahead for most of the game.

“I used to play for Poulton myself and won the Hogan Cup, so to win it as a manager with my son in the team is great.”

The U8s’ cup final produced the same scoreline as BJFF Spartans beat St Annes Blacks.

They also had a hat-trick hero in Lincoln, playing his last game before joining Fleetwood Town’s Academy.

Other scorers were Kody, Cole, Ollie, Louie H and Leo, who found the net in the opening seconds.

Manager Steven Townsend said: “It was a brilliant transitional season with new players coming in in January.

“We’re losing some to academies but look forward to stepping up to seven-a-side next season.”

The Hogan Cup for U9s was won by Fylde Coast Soccer Xavis, who beat Fleetwood Town Junior Reds 4-2.

Town were the victors at U10 level as their Blues defeated YMCA Blacks 6-2.

The only final all day decided by penalties was the U13s’ cup showdown between St Annes Yellows and Lytham JFC.

The Yellows edged it 6-5 after a 2-2 draw, having led twice through Josh, after Freddy’s free-kick bounced down off the bar, and Kyle.

Lytham equalised twice before half-time and Yellows manager Max Robinson said: “Lytham had most of the ball but our keeper and captain, Jack, was our hero.”

The U18s’ cup final was the third to feature Fleetwood Town, whose Junior Whites defeated BJFF Blades Blues 3-0.

Player of the match Kole scored with two free-kicks and Seb added the other.

This Fleetwood side is playing a year up – they won the cup last year as U16s and would be eligible to enter again.

There’s still unfinished business this season for manager Paul Wright, who said: “We are unbeaten all season and won the first phase of the league.

“We still have games to play in phase two and it’s between us and BJ for that trophy too – and we still have to play them again.”

In the Plate competitions, Thornton Cleveleys Tigers defeated Freckleton Reds 2-0 in the U7s’ final and Fleetwood Gym Warriors overcame Poulton FC Cosmos at U8s level.

The U9 Plate was won by Blackpool Wren Rovers, beating Foxhall Hoops 3-2, while Fylde Coast Soccer Ronaldinhos were 5-0 winners over Kirkham Junior Reds in the U10s’ competition.

Poulton FC Reds won the U11s Plate, beating Lytham Junior Maroons 6-1, while there was a second win for Fleetwood Gym Warriors at U13s level, beating Kirkham Junior Reds 4-1.

The U18s produced a fittingly fantastic finale as West Coast Sports Ravens edged out Wyre Junior Diamonds 4-3.

Our thanks to the clubs of the B&DYFL, and especially to Karen Tebbutt, for all their help and co-operation with our coverage over the past season.