ADJFL Quarter Final: Pendle Forest u7s vs. Junior Hoops Saints u7s

The Junior Hoops Saints u7s booked their place in the ADJFL semi finals with a powerful performance against Pendle Forest this Saturday in blustery conditions at the Leisure Box.

With the wind whipping up it was a day to get the ball down and play and that is exactly what the Saints did from the off with some delightful free flowing football that saw them race into an early lead. Oakley and Teddy were playing almost telepathically from minute one with Teddy assisting Oaks for for three quick goals, the third of which was brilliantly taken on the turn before Oakley slammed home. Oakley then returned the favour for Teddy curled home from just inside the area before being felled in the box for an early penalty that gave the Saints a strong lead.

Pendle weren’t to be outdone however and they battled back with three quick goals of their own catching the Saints over committed in the search for more goals.

Seb re-established the Saints cushion breaking from defence and beating the last defender with a skilful ball roll and finishing with style. Teddy then got his hat trick goal after some great skill from Leighton on the right which created space for an incisive through ball.

Leighton was next to get onto the scoresheet assisted by Matthew who was giving the Pendle defence twisted blood turning inside and out down the left before whipping the ball across goal into Bandit country for Leighton to side foot home.

With two minutes left of an entertaining first half Teddy scored again after great work from Oaks before Pendle kept themselves in the tie with a powerful finish of their own.

The second half saw both sides go close in the first five minutes without any goal action. Teddy now in goals made a one one one save before Alfie broke from midfield and charged at the Pendle goal only to see his strike go narrowly over.

The Saints ensured their path to the semi-final would not be in question with a flurry of late goals. Another skilful run from Matthew this time on the right wing saw a pass through to Oakley. With just the keeper to beat rather than shoot for goal Oakley cheekily side stepped the keeper to leave himself with the goal at his mercy as he stroked the ball home. Teddy then got in on the act following a tackle and drive from Huey in the midfield before Seb scored his second of the game to round off a great team move involving Matthew and Teddy on the right before a teasing ball from Teddy came to Seb five yards out to side foot home.

Pendle added a goal of their own before Leighton swept up the bits in the goal mouth to round off a sparkling performance for the Saints.

To the semi final we go. C’mon the Hoops!