'Westhoughton Phoenix have started their second competitive season in Section B of the Bolton & Bury District Junior Mini League. The end of last season saw a couple of players leave and it has been essential to build up the squad for the coming season.
We start the season with 5 new players and a squad of 13 players, quite a lot really but David and myself are thinking towards next season when we will need to decide to go to either 9 or 11 a side.
In pre-season we played reasonably well winning two games, drawing one and losing twice to teams from the 'A' section. This was an opportunity to give the newer players an experience of what the season was likely to bring and we now have a good idea of players best positions.
Last season saw lots of players have to swap positions, but the intention this year is to try to keep players in a settled structure and improve their general positional play.
The proper season has now started with an unlucky 3-0 defeat to Atherton Town after missing a number of chances and an 8-0 victory against CMB Wanderers.
The boys are capable of doing very well in this league if they continue to listen, develop and improve and the whole squad will come into its own during the season.
The new squad is as follows;
1. Danny - Our new goalkeeper, a good shotstopper who is prepared to listen and improve his game.
2. Ellis - Defence. Reads the game superbly, quick in the tackle and strong.
3. Kieran - Defence/Midfield - Hard working, adaptable and strong in the tackle, never lets anybody down.
4. Matthew - Left back - Adapted to his new role very well, good passing ability and is always enthusiastic wherever he plays.
5. James - Centre midfield / captain. Probably the player who covers the most ground during our games - good defensively and weighs in with the odd goal for the team.
6. Robert - Midfield, new to the squad, again really enthusiastic,can score goals and
tackle hard.
7. Ben Sheelan - Right back/ right midfield - Ben has now got another string to his bow playing at right back - good tenacious tackler who is always willing to listen and learn.
8. Jacob - Midfield / Forward - New to the squad, deceptively quick and tricky with the ball at his feet.
9. Dominic - Left midfield / Forward - Dominic is the creative part of the midfield, taking players on and good at picking out others, capable of scoring a few goals also.
10. George - Forward - Powerful player who has great eye for goal and powerful shot. Good utility player who can also be used in midfield or in defence if needed.
11. Kingsley - Right midfield / Forward - His strength is running at defenders and crossing a good quality ball - also capable of scoring goals regularly.
14. Ben Gastell - Left midfield - New to the squad. Ben is a great listener and has
natural ability with the ball at his feet - other than George, he strikes a ball cleaner than anybody on the team.
15. Sam - Right midfield - New to the squad. Really loves his football and his strength
is the ability to take defenders on, good listener and tries to improve his game.
Thats everybody introduced. I hope everyone has an enjoyable season and as well as being successful, I hope most of all that everyone enjoys themselves and has fun.
'Westhoughton Phoenix have started their second competitive season in Section B of the Bolton & Bury District Junior Mini League. The end of last season saw a couple of players leave and it has been essential to build up the squad for the coming season.