SKELMERSDALE YOUTH U9 3 vs 2 SOUTHPORT ATHLETIC ORANGE

On Sunday 22 March 2026, Skelmersdale Youth U9 hosted Southport Athletic Orange U9 at Ormskirk School in a keenly contested league fixture, kicking off promptly at 10:30am. The seven-a-side match lasted 40 minutes plus added time, with Skelmersdale Youth emerging victorious by a narrow 3-2 margin in an entertaining encounter.

Skelmersdale Youth lined up in a 2-3-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, three midfielders across the right, centre and left, and a lone striker leading the line. Jasper Taraldsen guarded the goal, while Arthur Forshaw and Alfie Bullen formed the central defensive partnership tasked with repelling Southport’s attacks. In midfield, Harry Humphreys operated on the right flank, Isaac Graham held the central midfield role, and Peter Gerrard-Little took up the left midfield position, expected to support both defence and attack. Up front, Oliver Foster spearheaded the attack as the sole striker, charged with converting chances. The substitutes available were Jack Dalziel, George Grant and Harry Wright.

The match burst into life early on with Southport Athletic Orange taking the lead in the 9th minute through a powerful long-range strike with their right foot that beat Taraldsen. However, Skelmersdale Youth responded immediately, with right midfielder Harry Humphreys firing in an equaliser at the same minute to level the scores and restore parity.

The first half continued at a brisk pace, with both sides probing for an advantage, but the half-time whistle arrived with the score locked at 1-1. At the interval, tactical changes were swiftly implemented by Skelmersdale Youth. Jack Dalziel replaced left midfielder Peter Gerrard-Little, while George Grant came on for central defender Alfie Bullen, signalling a shift in approach to bolster midfield and defensive solidity.

Early in the second half, Skelmersdale Youth took the lead for the first time when Jack Dalziel capitalised on a close-range opportunity inside the box, expertly finishing with his right foot following a precise assist from striker Oliver Foster. This goal at the 31st minute was a pivotal moment, giving the hosts a crucial advantage.

Shortly after, further tactical substitutions saw Harry Wright replace right midfielder Harry Humphreys, and Alfie Bullen returned to the field, taking over from Oliver Foster in a tactical reshuffle aimed at maintaining energy and defensive balance.

Southport Athletic Orange refused to lie down and equalised again in the 44th minute through a scrappy goalmouth scramble finished with a right-footed close-range strike, bringing the score to 2-2 and setting up a tense finale.

As the match entered its final stages, Skelmersdale Youth made two more tactical substitutions at the 46th minute mark, with Oliver Foster returning to replace George Grant and Peter Gerrard-Little coming back on for Jack Dalziel, restoring some of the original attacking impetus.

The decisive moment arrived in the 49th minute when Harry Humphreys struck once more, this time from outside the area with a right-footed shot that found the net, securing a 3-2 lead for Skelmersdale Youth. This goal proved to be the winner as the home side held firm until the final whistle.

Harry Humphreys was a standout performer, contributing two vital goals and showing great energy on the right flank. Alfie Bullen’s defensive work was crucial throughout, while Jack Dalziel’s impact off the bench, including his goal, was instrumental in turning the game in Skelmersdale Youth’s favour.

In a closely fought contest, Skelmersdale Youth U9 demonstrated resilience and tactical flexibility to claim a hard-earned victory over Southport Athletic Orange U9 in this entertaining league encounter at Ormskirk School.