Home Page Wirral District Football Association
The Wirral District F.A. Youth side reached the final of the 'Cheshire County F.A. District Cup', on Sunday 13/11/2011. In the final they will meet Chester D.F.A.( venue to be confirmed )
It will be the 3rd final in 5 years for the Wirral's Youth Team Management of Mike Melling, Dave McDermot & Tom McChrystal, having previously been beaten by Altrincham D.F.A. (2-1) at the Vauxhall Stadium 2008,then winning the prestigious Final beating Maccasfield D.F.A. (1-0) at Maccasfield Town FC. 2009 with a memorable goal in the dying minutes of the game by Billy Foster.
This season’s assault on the competition got off to a bad start, as the team were at home & hosted the much fancied Altrincham District F.A. represented by Altrincham F.C Youth squad, who ply their trade in the Northwest Alliance Youth Premier League. Wirral got off to great start with an early goal by Ryan Lawson (Vauxhall Yth). It was going all Wirrals way, and a 2nd goal by Leon Jones (Ashville Yth) was a well deserved 2-1 half time lead. Unfortunately Alty came strong in the last 30mins & overhauled Wirral to go 3-2 up. Wirral had further chances to level the game & even win it, but it wasn't to be. The result meant the team had to win all remaining games & hope Alty slip up at some stage.
The second game for the team was a difficult away tie at Maccasfield D.F.A..With the game set for an 11am k.o. the lads were up early for the hour or so travel.
The game proved as difficult as we expected and was settled by a solitary goal by Lewis Clarke (Ashville Colts) who found himself just inside the away box,& as the ball landed at his feet, he smashed it into the Macc goal with a superb left foot strike on the stroke of half time.
Next up, we were at home to Crewe D.F.A. We knocked Crewe out of the competition in 2009 at the semi-final stage 3-2 after extra time. The team dominated from the whistle and a headed goal from Danny Amis (Ashville yth) on the quarter hour mark set the team off on a one-sided game. 2 more goals followed before the half hour from Lewis Clarke (Ashville Colts) & Kyle Smythe (Vauxhall Yth) HT 3-0. A penalty from Steven Lunt (New Brighton) & a 5th from Leon Jones (Ashville Yth) sealed a terrific win. FT 5-1.
Runcorn had beaten Altrincham 3-0 so we were back in the running for the Final.
Our last game was away to Runcorn D.F.A. It was a winner takes all game, and as if it wasn't difficult enough we had our Captain Luke Camden out through injury. Altrincham's goal difference was probably to much to overcome in their last game against Maccasfield.
The game was played at Runcorn Town F.C. This was the game when we witnessed how strong the team was. On 5mins Lewis Clarke (Ashville Yth) burst the back of the net to get us off to the perfect start. Runcorn were a strong physical team, but also great quality in their side, and weren't about to give up the chance of reaching the final. Wirral went 2-0 up after 35 mins with Leon Jones (Ashville Yth) netting another. It was the old story of "taking your chances", which was the difference between the two sides. Wirral were standing up to the challenge of a very difficult away fixture & went in 2-0 at half time. Runcorn came out on the attack after the break, determined to get into the game and were rewarded on the hour with their 1st goal.
Memories of the Altrincham game came flooding back. The Wirral lads were not about to let that happen again,( over the course of the competition the lads were getting to know each other better & were becoming a formidable outfit ). Within 5mins we restored our 2 goal advantage through Lewis Clarke again. However Runcorn never gave up & closed the gap once again with a beaut of a goal 5mins later. The game was up for grabs and Wirral were showing no signs of folding under the pressure.
Almost immediately, Wirral went up the other end & slotted home, their 4th goal through Jamie Parker (Ashville Yth). That visibly rocked the Runcorn lads and for the 1st time in the game Wirral were playing a more relaxed football with Runcorn's heads beginning to drop. A 5th goal from Ryan Lawson on 87mins sealed the win & a place in the CCFA District cup final.
I would like to take this opportunity, to say well done to all the lads involved with the Wirral squad this season & to all those who attended the trials (those were some of the best trial games we have held, due to the high standard set by all players attending) and made the task of picking the team, so much harder. I would like also to say, what a great job the managers of the youth teams taking part are doing, when you see the quality of the players they are producing. Also, thanks to all the managers for their co-operation, without which, would make the task of choosing a squad a lot harder, thank you.
And finally A big well done to Kev Mighall & Gill Roberts,( top class ).
Wirral D.F.A.Youth Team Manager.
Mike Melling