The Scarborough News

Ayton and Flixton all square

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In opening game, they entertaine­d last season’s champions ina physical encounter.

Ayton took the lead through a keeper error and sharp followup play from Joe Ecclestone.

Flixton pressed the home side, forcing a wonder save from keeper Nathan Monday.

Ayton pressed after this dominated the midfield through Dak Cappleman and Taylor Moulds.

A firm tackle from Andy Burnett and slick ball in from Dylan Medill found Tom MacDonald, who unselfishl­y put in PJ Drayton for the tap in to put Ayton 2-0 up going into the break .

Flixton came out from the break pushing Ayton deep into their half , with their midfield players taking the battle to their opponents with Will Hutchinson and Harry Cooper causing havoc for the Ayton defence.

A through-ball found Luke Smith to grab one back.

The last 20 minutes were end-to-end with Ayton missing two chances and Flixton hitting the post.

With a minute to go, an Ayton defensive error put Smith in to equalise, Flixton deserving the point .

Ayton’s star men were Dylan Madill and Kieron Coulson.

Pre-season title favourites

got their season off to a good start by overcoming

Phoenix opened much the stronger, and Bradley Wood opened the scoring by bundling in a corner at the far post.

The Otters stuck to their task and were rewarded as Eric Hall equalised, curling in a delightful left-foot shot from a tight angle.

Shortly after, Leon Johnson almost finished off a good move, but Charlie Hopper produced a nice save.

Just before half-time a flowing Phoenix move was finished off well by Kane Rennison to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Phoenix kept up the pressure in the second half and added two more goals from Rennison and Tom Alexander, the first a smart turn and shot into the far corner.

Rhys Holder stood out for the visitors, while defender Lewis Tadman was the Otters’ star man.

started their league season with a 4-1 victory away at Sproatley Juniors.

Scarboroug­h took the lead on 10 minutes through George Walmsley, before two from Jaydan Hindle handed Boro a 3-0 lead at the break.

Zam Deans put the result beyond doubt when he added a fine fourth goal midway through the second half before Sproatley hit a consolatio­n. Graham School Year 11 pupils, Aiden Thurston and Finlay Willis have both been selected for the North Yorkshire Schools representa­tive team after attending trials at Thirsk School on Saturday.

Willis, who plays in the role behind the striker, has developed significan­tly over the last couple of seasons and also represente­d the county at Under-15 level last year.

Thurston, a cultured boxto-box midfielder, who captains the school’s Year 11 team, is a new addition to the representa­tive side this season.

Both boys are delighted with their selection, as is their PE teacher, Craig Farrell, who put the boys forward for the trial.

A delighted Farrell said: “Aiden and Finlay are two of the nicest and most deserving lads I’ve had the pleasure to teach, and they are completely worthy of this honour.

“They are a pleasure to teach and both have a strong desire to succeed and the right attitude to be successful in sport.

“Both are a credit to our school and fully embody the character traits that we are trying to instil into all our pupils.”

 ??  ?? An Eastfield player (white kit) puts in a challenge on a Seamer opponent Pictures by Steve Lilly
An Eastfield player (white kit) puts in a challenge on a Seamer opponent Pictures by Steve Lilly

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