Despite more poor weather this week, we managed to get a large number of games on, and we saw a fantastic set of performances and results across the club, epitomised by resilience, determination and no little skill. This included an entertaining derby day fixture between our Under 9s (pictured), a tense top of the table victory for our prolific Under 13 Tigers, a superb victory ground out by our Under 11 Panthers girls, and a ding-dong Under 7s battle with Cov Sphinx edged by our amazing Under 7 Tigers, thanks to a 4 goal salvo from young Joban. Our Under 12 Lions achieved a well earned draw in top-tier action whilst the all-conquering Under 14 Tigers galloped into the 3rd round of the League Cup, still in the hunt for silverware across all 3 fronts.

SATURDAY – GIRLS

GNP Panthers Under 12s made the short trip to Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday morning for their first game in five weeks. Panthers started well kicking up a sloped pitch and looked bright and full of running. At times it was hard going on a heavy pitch and with chances few and far between it was Kenilworth who broke the deadlock with a powerful drive from the left of the area after 15 minutes. Panthers didn't let their heads drop, continued to battle and it was they who drew level 5 minutes before the break. Some nice trickery from Faith down the right to evade her marker sending in a powerful cross/shot which flew in. Honours even at the break. 2nd half and with the advantage of the slope, the Panthers were in the ascendancy for long periods, but fell behind very much against the run of play, to a shot from point blank range which felt very harsh on GNP. Like the 1st half, back came the Panthers, who were pretty much camped in Kestrels territory after the goal and they broke Kenilworth hearts with a last minute equaliser from Suvreet, shooting nicely in from 6 yards which was no more than they deserved. Honours even in a entertaining 2-2 draw and some much needed game time for the girls.

After a run of frustrating match cancellations, the Under 11 Panthers were delighted to finally take to the pitch under fantastic weather conditions, with blue skies setting the scene for a lively encounter against Star Soccer Academy. With a full squad available, the Panthers were hungry for the win and eager to make the most of the opportunity. From the opening whistle, the Panthers pressed with real intent, moving the ball confidently and looking to build attacks with patience and skill. Star Soccer started brightly, testing the Panthers’ defence with quick breaks and sharp individual runs. The Panthers responded well, holding their shape and working hard to track back, with well-timed tackles and clearances keeping danger at bay. In midfield, the Panthers battled tirelessly, winning possession and driving the team forward with positive movement and clear communication. As the 1st half progressed, the Panthers grew in confidence, creating several promising chances by working the ball wide and delivering into the box, forcing the Stars goalkeeper into action. The 2nd half began at a high tempo, and the Panthers’ determination was rewarded. Rhea showed great awareness and composure, breaking through a gap in the home defence before calmly finishing to score a well-deserved goal. The strike lifted the entire team and reflected the Panthers’ hunger and hard work. Both sides continued to compete fiercely, with impressive goalkeeping at either end. Despite tired legs late on, the Panthers fought for every ball until the final whistle. A fantastic display of grassroots football, teamwork and spirit from a committed Panthers side.

Under 9 Panthers hosted a well-organised and highly effective Coventry City side. The match began brightly for the Panthers, with plenty of good passing, strong determination, and several positive passages of play. Coventry City pressed well throughout and capitalised on their organisation, scoring a number of well-taken goals. Despite the challenge, there were standout individual performances. Mihar showed great determination, while Shreya produced a series of outstanding saves. Although the girls ended on the wrong side of the result, there were clear signs of progress and plenty to build on.

SATURDAY – BOYS

GNP Under 13 Tigers were away to SBitC in an end to end, top of the table encounter. A quick opener from Josiah and brilliant goal from Deepak put GNP ahead however SBitC pulled one back before HT via a penalty. GNP had to deal with some injuries during the game but got the 2nd half started in their usual swashbuckling, attacking style, Deepak making it 3-1 with a class finish from outside the area. Sky Blues were not finished, pulling a goal back to narrow the gap. However, Player of the match, MD, left the best goal to the last minute. A blistering run from halfway, turning the keeper on the edge of the box and a fine finish into a vacant net. A goal this team will be talking about all season and killing off the game just when the Sky Blues were threatening the equaliser. What a game. Final score 2-4 in favour of GNP.

After an extended break due to bad weather and Christmas the Under 10 Lions travelled to play Khalsa FC. Opting for an attacking formation paid off with great link up play which gave Veer the opportunity to slot one comfortably into the net. Celebrations were short lived as the Lions were caught napping enabling Khalsa the equaliser. The Lions kept their composure and focused on playing football, pressing hard into the oppositions half, the boys created chances galore. A great cross from Sahib delivered to Nikhil put us in the lead which was swiftly extended with a great shot from Sahib. Despite the boys being on the receiving end of very physical play from the opposition, they focused on playing great football, passing and moving very well. Arjun, Wahid and Manroop effectively marked the opposition out of the game, keeping our back line strong. Fakhir and Yuvraaj played critical roles to link up with our attacking players. On the counter Ksawery was unstoppable, hitting a screamer to push the Lions further ahead, but wasn't finished! A great goal kick from Sehaj bounced perfectly for Kswaery to volley on the bounce for yet another amazing goal in the last minute. An absolutely brilliant performance from start to finish for the whole team, with Sahib earning PotM.

The Under 9 Jaguars travelled to Rugby Borough after an incredible nine‑week break from football, but you’d never have known it. The boys arrived knowing full they were up against a physical side, yet from the very first whistle they pressed with confidence and energy. Jaguars took control early, winning corners and pinning the Hawks back. The breakthrough came quickly: a lovely move from Emaad set up Mithun, who finished with real composure to open the scoring. At the back, the Jaguars were rock solid. Bobby was immense, refusing to let any Hawks player through no matter how physical the challenge. His long clearance created the second goal, landing perfectly for Isaac, who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner. The Hawks hit back on the counter, but the Jaguars responded with calm heads and smart positional changes. Isaac struck the post and Emaad, alert and determined, followed in to restore the cushion. An unfortunate own goal brought Hawks closer again, but GNP continued to dominate the play. Theo’s powerful strike was tipped over, and from the resulting pressure a handball gave the Jaguars a penalty. Isaac stepped up confidently and buried it into the bottom left corner. Stan also played a key role during the 1st half, holding his position well and putting in strong defensive work when called upon, helping to keep Rugby’s attacks at bay. The 2nd half started just as brightly. Isaac showed superb footwork, taking on several Hawks players before slotting home another brilliant goal. The Jaguars defended strongly, dealing with the Hawks’ corners and staying composed even when the Hawks were awarded a penalty — which thankfully was missed. Freddie was excellent throughout, showing brave goalkeeping, sharp positioning and real command of his box during Rugby’s most dangerous moments. Despite the physicality, the boys kept their focus and stuck to their football. Their patience paid off with two more goals, including a hugely important moment for Anwar, who scored his first ever Jaguars goal, and Emaad added another to round off a fantastic performance, and well deserved result. PotM: Bobby for his commanding, Rolls‑Royce performance at the back — strong tackles, smart interceptions, and even assists; A huge display.

The Under 8 Tigers came into this game vs Exhall Sky Blues needing to get their mojo back after the Christmas break and get back up to the heights of 2025’s best performances and today was a big step in the right direction. Exhall took an early lead and from there the teams alternated goals with both teams pressing hard and giving 100% until the final quarter, where GNP started to take control and claimed the lead. Unfortunately two avoidable mistakes in defence let Exhall claw the game back twice and it ended all square. Exhall are a really nice team to play; they have some strong players, they hold formation well, all defend hard and their keeper was having an excellent day, so if our team hadn't given 100% they could have been picked apart. Instead we battled for every ball and were unlucky not to come away victorious. Goals came from Rhys, Akram and Naod. Assists from Lucas, Rhys and Rayan. A special welcome back to Taran who returned after 7 weeks out with an injury and showed his usual all round strength and great composure. The boys looked really good today and seemed to show a greater understanding of the wider game, having good awareness of where everyone was on the pitch at any given time and what that meant for them individually to best help the team. They are in a very competitive league this year but from today's performance, have nothing to fear.

The Under 8 Lions were back at home vs Rugby Borough Panthers following a narrow reverse last week and came into the game full of determination, eager to secure their first victory in their new division. Thomas started in goal and showed excellent awareness early on, closing down the opposition well and confidently collecting the ball inside his box. Despite a strong start, Rugby took the lead from a corner. Theo put in several crucial last-ditch tackles to keep the score down, but the away side managed to add a few more goals before the end of the first period. Out wide, Sahib showed great footwork on the left wing, while Jagraaj worked tirelessly, tracking his man and marking tightly whenever GNP lost possession. Up front, Luca led the press, battling hard to win the ball back. The second ten minutes was a much tighter contest. Thomas made a series of excellent saves to keep the Lions in touch. Evan set the tone with fearless tackling, lifting the team’s energy, while Elliott looked to drive the ball forward at every opportunity. At the back, Dhillan stood strong, committing fully to every challenge and winning the ball back consistently for the Lions. The 2nd half followed a similar pattern, with the Lions continuing to work hard. Elliott came on during a power play and took his chance well to get the Lions on the scoresheet. However, lapses in concentration allowed the away side to add a few more goals. For the remainder of the match, the Lions played with an extra player and showed real intent going forward. Theo scored a lovely goal with some quick thinking from a corner. Kiaan, returning after a few weeks away, impressed with his commitment, powerful tackling, and excellent vision as he looked to create attacking opportunities. Elliott went on to score his 2nd, while Thomas distributed the ball well from the back, although the opposition goalkeeper matched the Lions’ efforts. In the end, Rugby managed to see the game out. Theo was the star of the game, showing great energy throughout, while Dhillan earned PotM for his rock-solid defending.

GNP Under 7 Tigers played Coventry Sphinx away in what was a high-pressure, fast paced game. Tigers started well and coped with the strong pressure from Sphinx. The first quarter was ultra competitive, with Sphinx breaking the deadlock. Yunus remained exceptional at the back and Uday, Tobias and Marsels kept the pressure on up front. Tobias narrowly shot wide from a well struck free kick and Uday was denied by the keeper after a great run and shot. Sphinx upped the pressure in the 2nd quarter but the Tigers responded and an assist from Rehmat and a final touch from Joban deservedly drew the Tigers level. The 3rd quarter continued to be intense and entertaining. This quarter saw the most goals with 2 apiece. Joban got his second following a kick in from Cameron, and then his hat trick from a superb individual run down the wing. The final quarter was defined by a fantastic save from David in goal and a penalty scored by Joban for a foul in the box, allowing the Tigers to edge the final score. Player of the match went to Joban not just for his four goals, but for his skills on the ball, relentless energy, and can-do attitude.

The Under 7 Lions hosted Rugby Borough Pumas, a game that was tightly contested a couple of months ago. The first half Rugby did very well offensively, overloading the Lions defence, scoring a number of goals. The Lions' efforts were rewarded with a goal just before the break, Gian played a through ball to Mikey, and he finished his opportunity well. The 2nd half was much the same, and Rugby continued to do well in possession, creating opportunities during a Lions Powerplay. Jeevan did well in goal today. Some saves drew applause from both sets of parents watching. Many of the Lions found it difficult today, a lack of intensity and forgetting their positional responsibilities. However, all the boys, to their credit, did not stop running, Aathi and Lucas, in particular, showed a lot of energy. The Lions pulled another goal back, Gian won a free kick, which he took and scored from. A challenging start to Tier 1 as expected. However, the boys' spirits were high after the game. The opposition coach selected Gian as PotM this week for his technical play, decision-making, and intensity.

SUNDAY – BOYS

Under 17s visited top of the table Warwick Juniors Falcons and gave them the fright of their lives, taking a 2-1 lead into half time. Sadly the boys couldn’t quite hold on and Warwick prevailed 3-2. Nevertheless another positive performance from the GNP boys, taking the Division B “Champions-elect” right to the wire!

Under 14 Tigers made the trip to Leamington Foundation for a rescheduled 2nd round League Cup tie which the opponents kindly switched to their ground. Familiar opponents and a cagey opening with both teams exchanging blows. On 14 mins the breakthrough came when GNP worked the ball wide; Cinar crossed, and Oscar arrived around the penalty spot to take a 1st touch and finished sharply bottom corner. GNP then dominated the rest of the half, but faced a resilient Leamington back line, whose keeper saved everything thrown at him when the Tigers did breach the defence. 1-0 at half time. Coach Jat asked the boys to keep up the intensity and high press, confident it would grind down and tire out the home team, with goals then likely to flow late on. He proved to be uncannily correct! It took 9 mins of the 2nd half for the 2nd goal with Saavun set free down the left and whipping in a dangerous cross which Ayden jumped at and bundled home. The goals then came thick and fast with another 5 added in the next 20 mins. PotM Saavun was at the heart of things again from wing back, scoring a superbly taken 10 minute hat trick thanks to 2 assists from Muhamadou and a rebound header after Ehan’s long range shot was palmed away. Muhamadou then added his obligatory goal after being set free by Iklil, before Iklil finished the scoring with a 30 yard screamer over the keeper during an eventful 5 minute cameo out wide! A tremendous performance across the pitch today, with a special mention to Harman S, whose display was the epitome of great first touches in difficult conditions, and superb decision making throughout. GNP progress to the 3rd round of the Cup and in the process maintain their amazing 100% win record so far this season!

GNP Under 14 Pumas were away at Stockton, after an extended break for a must-win 6 pointer. They started off well with a good passing sequence which nearly led to a goal but left winger Sean couldn’t get a shot away. Despite some more good passing moves from GNP, Stockton broke away to win a corner. This unfortunately led to a penalty which Stockton slotted home. Even after the goal GNP were pressing and passing well with Daniel and Prabh controlling the midfield. Stockton then applied some pressure with GNP giving away a foul just outside the box, a miscommunication from Pumas and they conceded a 2nd goal. Now 2-0 down, their heads could have dropped, but straight from kick off Pumas showed great resilience and determination. Del caught the Stockton keeper unfocused, and slotted it into the bottom left corner, the fight back was on. Sean and JJ were showing real threat on the wings, which eventually led to a second goal for Del slotting in from outside the box. Going into halftime at 2-2 things looked a lot better. After a good team talk GNP came into the 2nd half with great determination. When a corner came in from JJ and after a bit of scrappiness in the penalty area, Prabh finished it off to complete the turnaround. GNP then showed great defensive awareness with George, Corbyn and William not letting anything through. The team also had great opportunities to make it 4 but luck wasn’t on their side in front of goal. Stockton rallied and started fighting hard to get an equaliser but 2 superb tackles from centre back William helped GNP secure the game and a massive win for the Pumas, lifting them from 9th to 7th place in the league.

Under 13 Pumas had an away game against Christ the king rovers. Playing surface was not the best, but the Pumas manage to secure another win to stay in touch with the top 2 for promotion to Division C. Arun Kumar, playing his final game for the Pumas, fittingly gave the Pumas the lead after just 30 seconds. Pumas were completely in control, with goals from Evan, Armaan, JJ, and a perfectly hit free kick from Nathan to make it 5-0 at half time. A different 2nd half, with GNP losing control of the game at times, but they still managed to score another 2 goals through Baaj. Christ the king scored a consolation goal for their efforts but the Pumas finished 7-1 victors. A special mention to recognise an outstanding debut season from Arun, playing competitive football for the first time ever, after coming through the clubs Player Development Centre. Arun scored 14 goals in 11 games this season and leaves with the team’s best wishes as his family moves to India.

The Under 12 Tigers faced Ambleside Rockets in a game that ultimately proved frustrating, as chances created did not translate into the result their play deserved. It was a slow start from GNP, and despite periods of resistance, they conceded three goals late in the 1st half. After around 15 minutes, the Tigers began to settle into the game and started to play with more purpose. Using the pace of Declan to good effect, the breakthrough came when he slotted home to reduce the deficit, making it 3–1 at half time. The 2nd half saw Ambleside apply sustained pressure and add a fourth goal. However, the Tigers continued to show attacking intent and once again found a way through, with Declan getting on the scoresheet for the second time, calmly finishing his chance. Compared to last week, the difference was simply in converting opportunities. The Tigers created numerous chances, repeatedly breaking through the opposition’s offside line. On another day, with better finishing, the Tigers could easily have walked away with a victory. Despite the result, there were positives to take, particularly in the attacking movement and ability to create chances. The focus now turns to being more clinical in front of goal and building on the encouraging aspects of the performance. PotM went to Musie for a monstrous performance in defence, where he was outstanding throughout and did an excellent job of keeping Ambleside’s attack at bay.

Under 11 Tigers

GNP Lions and GNP Tigers (pictured) contested the Under 9 derby in an eventful game. The boys on both sides were playful and willing to take risks, trying out new manoeuvres across the pitch. This worked in favour of the Tigers, who dominated the match. Bishoy opened the scoring with a fine strike from a free kick and added another shortly after. He was awarded Player of the Match for the Tigers for his goals and drive. The 1st half finished with an additional Tigers goal from Arjun. A special shout-out goes to Balraj of the Lions for his consistently outstanding performance in goal. The 2nd half was similar to the first, with the Tigers continuing to dominate the territory and keeping the match firmly in the Lions’ half. The Lions, however, showed greater resistance and restricted the Tigers largely to pot shots from out wide. Yotam did manage to increase the Tigers’ lead before Anwar, assisted by Harvey, pulled one back for the Lions on a lethal breakaway. Just seconds before the final whistle, Arun scored to finalise the Tigers’ victory. All of the boys on both teams had a great game and performed very well.