Phoenix under-11s girls were desperately unlucky to miss out on a place in a final after conceding a controversial late strike.

The girls matched a ferocious Boothstown side in the BBDFL Festival Cup semi-final, but cruelly lost 2-1 in the dying minutes thanks to what many felt was an offside goal.

Marauders' courageous Lioness Adalind scored a cracker to cancel out the visitors' early opener.

The goal was a beauty. Noe battled to win possession in midfield, laid it off to Mia who played a lovely pass through the lines to Adalind who burst past two defenders to finish powerfully.

Adalind was unlucky not to put the girls ahead after a rasping drive rattled the crossbar.

Brooke and Grace were superb in defence, winning challenge after challenge.

Lola was impressive in the holding midfield role as she cut out attacks. She was also unlucky with two fine free kick strikes.

The wide midfielders, April, Blake and Iris all worked their socks off, constantly willing to take on bigger opponents and working hard to help their defence.

Keeper Isabella shone, making countless incredible saves, including one from a questionable penalty.

Lois adapted her game to sacrifice some usual creativity for hard graft and covering, and her late long range curler seemed destined to take the match to penalties, but shaved a post.

Then Miss Versatile Mia was unlucky not to score with virtually the last kick. That would have capped an all round superb performance which included a new role in midfield.

In a display of impressive sportsmanship, Boothstown's manager spoke to the Phoenix girls after the game and told them they didn't deserve to lose.

Coach Brendan said: "It was an intense and physical game against a very good team that some could have easily been overawed at.

"Our girls rose to the occasion and played with a superb intensity and determination.

"It is worth noting that four of our girls are playing up a year - Adalind, April, Blake and Noe. They demonstrated such determination and courage.

"Brooke is in her first year of playing organised football. You could not tell. She showed impressive tenacity and skill in her defending.

"The other year sixes - Isabella, Grace, Mia, Lois, Iris and Lola - battled, won challenges, and kept taking the game to the very physical opponents right to the last kick.

"The girls were a real credit to the club and are products of their home environments.

"The way the parents support the girls positively and respectfully from the sidelines stands out every week."

Raptors boys under-13s drew 2-2 with Cheetham Hill at Sparks.

Coach Paul said: "Right from the first whistle, we were winning every battle and pinning the visitors back in their own half. 

"Luca and Tommy were breaking through the lines but not quite managing the final product. 

"Every time they tried to get out, we won the ball back and went forward again. 

"But a quick ball through our defence allowed their big lad up top to go one on one with George, breaking the deadlock against the run of play. 

"A few minutes later pressure from Max lead to a sloppy back pass which he got to ahead of their keeper, levelling it up.

"We started the second half stronger than the first and were pinning them back in their own half again

"Luca again breaking free down the left winning a free kick just outside the box.

"He took it himself and smashed it into the far top right corner to take the lead. 

"We continued to dominate but with around five minutes to go, a swing and miss at the back allowed their fast striker to again go through on George, who then saved at his near post.

"The rebound fell to them, George saved the second attempt, but had no chance as the next rebound was put away.

"We threw everything we had left in the tank at them but just couldn't find a winner. 

"A great team performance and a dominant display but they held on for the draw.

"Cameron was player of the match

for an excellent performance from the back and leading all over the pitch."

Panthers under-10s boys took on B-Pro.

Coach Pete said: "The game was highly competitive, end-to-end with some great battles for possession and territory in the middle. 

"James drifted across from the right and drilled a hard low left footed shot from the edge of the area which found its way into the bottom corner. 

"After half time it felt like one could get away from us but for our solid central triangle of Freddie, Rocco and William who played the entire game and found another gear to drive them back and keep us in it. 

"Throughout we rotated the wingers and striker position so Jay, James, Enzo, Ollie and David had the energy to get up and down, both taking the pressure off in defence and mounting lightning counter attacks down both wings. 

"This paid off when Jay (playing striker) caught a sweet half volley which flew into the roof of the net. 

"They all did so well and should be proud of themselves. 

"Any one of them could have been player of the game... if William wasn't playing.

"He must have sprinted 5km, turning defence into attack so many times."