ACADEMY MATCHDAY REPORT
An update from Marine striker and Academy Coach George Newell:
A Fantastic Start to the New Season
What a start it has been for the Academy!
This summer has seen a huge influx of new talent, with the Academy welcoming around 50 new recruits through the doors. We are delighted to have five teams representing the Academy this season.
The opening week has already shown just how exciting this group can be, with the Academy recording an impressive five wins from a possible seven pre-season games!
There have been some excellent results along the way, including victories against Southport Academy and the Steven Gerrard Academy sides in Kirkby and Chorley. More importantly, the performances have demonstrated the hard work, enthusiasm and togetherness of a group that is only just beginning its journey together.
First Team Standouts
The First Academy Team have made an encouraging start, with Dan McGivern and Harry Huby catching the eye with impressive performances in fixtures against SGA Liverpool and Southport.
Both players showed the quality, energy and attitude required at First Team level and played an important part in what has been a very positive opening week.
Second Team Make Their Mark
The Second Team also enjoyed an excellent start, recording an emphatic 5-2 victory over Southport Academy.
It was a performance full of attacking intent, with the team showing plenty of confidence in front of goal while demonstrating the competitive edge that will be so important throughout the season.
Third Team Edge Southport Thriller
The Third Team were involved in another entertaining contest against Southport, coming out on top in a 3-2 victory.
A standout performer on the day was Freeman Waisu, who produced a Man of the Match performance and capped it off with a goal. Freeman was influential throughout the game, showing excellent energy, quality and determination to help the team secure all three points.
It was a hard-fought game, but the players showed great character to get over the line and secure another important win for the Academy.
Fourth Team Continue Winning Run
The Fourth Team produced an excellent week of results, beginning with a 4-3 victory over Southport Academy before following it up with an impressive 5-0 win against SGA Chorley.
The latter result was particularly memorable, with Geraint Cummins producing a spectacular strike that is already being talked about as a potential Goal of the Season contender.
Fifth Team Start Strongly
The Fifth Team have also made an excellent introduction to competitive football, recording a convincing 3-0 victory against SGA Kirkby. Man of the Match with Conor Jones picking up the MoM award.
It was another display that highlighted the depth of talent coming through the Academy and the strength of the group across all five teams.
HAT-TRICK HEROES 🎩⚽
There have been plenty of goals to celebrate during the opening week, but special mention must go to our hat-trick heroes.
Harry O’Leary and Brian Tynan both hit hat-tricks in their respective fixtures, producing outstanding individual goal-scoring performances.
And there was an even bigger haul from Shay Westhead, who found the net an incredible four times against Southport in the 2nd team’s 5-2 win.
A fantastic achievement from Shay and a brilliant opening week for all of our attacking players.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Recruits
Finally, we want to take the opportunity to give a huge welcome to all of our new Academy recruits.
Joining a new Academy, meeting new teammates and stepping into a new environment can be a big challenge, but the response from our new players has been outstanding. The commitment, attitude and effort shown throughout the opening week has been hugely encouraging.
With around 50 new players joining us this summer and five teams now representing the Academy, there is a real sense of excitement about what lies ahead.
Five wins from seven games is a fantastic start — but this is only the beginning.
To every player who has represented the Academy this week: well done.
Keep working, keep learning, keep pushing each other, and most importantly, keep enjoying your football.
There is a long season ahead, and we can’t wait to see what this group can achieve together.
Up the Mariners!
2nd Team after their 5-2 win over Southport Academy
Shay Westhead scoring 4
Harry O’ Leary hat trick and MoM performance