The opening tournament for Southport schools is the Liverpool Cup and Farnborough were the  defending champions - with 5 of last year's squad (Lawrie, Lucas, Bailey, Rico and Rhys)  representing the team for a second year.

Last minute alterations to the squad (losing a keeper and defender) saw some reshuffling of the team but with such a talented set of players we hoped it would work out fine. Totally domination in our opening game saw Farnborough hit the post 4 times, the crossbar once, the side netting twice and their opponents St.Philips failing to reach our penalty area or even register a single shot! However frustratingly the match remained goalless and the boys felt disappointed with their opening result.

Next up were close rivals Churchtown and Farnborough finally scored - Lucas B slotting past their keeper. With Churchtown pressing for an equaliser Bailey was called in to action and he produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the score 1 nil. A tense game saw the final score remain 1 nil and the team were full of thanks for Bailey's heroics in goal.

The final group game was a must win battle with Larkfield and saw Farnborough beginning to relax a little and play some fluent, passing football. Konna, Jack, Rico or Patric were looking secure in defence and our midfield of Theo, Lawrie and Rhys created chance after chance for Lucas. The final score saw a commanding 4 nil victory with goals from Lucas(2), Rhys and Lawrie.

Our semi-final opponents were Norwood and once again the Farnborough team dominated play with Rhys and Theo tormenting the Norwood defence with their tricky wingplay. Theo opened the scoring with a thunderbolt, Lucas and Rhys both scored again and Theo made it a resounding 4 nil with his second of the match.

The final against Holy Trinity was another one-sided affair with Theo and Rhys resuming where they left off in the semi-final. Lawrie broke from midfield and struck the opening goal of the final - the ball rolling through a desperate keepers legs. Rhys smashed in a second that nearly burst the net and Lawrie made it 3 with his final goal of the tournament. Patric and Jack tried to get in on the act at the end and Jack finally made it 4 nil from a corner.

Congratulations to all the team on some outstanding football which was commented on by both parents and teachers. The boys were a pleasure to watch with their teamwork and levels of skills impressing all. Special mention to Bailey who was outstanding in goal and stepped in at the last minute to play all the games in goal. Our defence of Rico, Konna, Jack, Patric and Lawrie didn't concede a single goal in the tournament - quite an achievement!

The team will now represent Southport in the Merseyside finals of the Liverpool Cup later in the season - Good Luck Boys I can't wait to watch more!!

Mr Hanlon