Another action-packed weekend for GNP Sports with girls and boys battling it out across Coventry and Warwickshire with their friends. Whilst all of the results may not have gone our way, there is a theme from all the games around the spirit and fighting qualities from our teams, whether they win, lose or draw. Well done to all the kids for giving their all - We are super proud of you!!

SATURDAY - GIRLS

Under 13 Panthers had to settle for a point in a 0-0 home game against Bedworth United, a game which they should have really taken all three. Bianca hit the bar in the first half for the Panthers and the Bedworth keeper made some good saves to deny the hosts on multiple occasions. The girls found it difficult to put passes together on a heavy surface and often chose to pass rather than shoot when in their opponents’ area. Although most of the game was played in the Bedworth half, Bedworth did have a few good chances of their own but were denied by some great saves from Harkeerat in goal.

Under 12 Panthers lost 2-0 away to Bournville Girls in League Division One. A disappointing result for the girls given the opposition sit below GNP in the table.

Under 10 Panthers travelled to Kenilworth Wardens. The hosts started the game well taking an early lead. Our girls battled back and soon were on level terms. The second half saw the young Panthers pepper the opposition goal but the Wardens keeper was having the game of her life. Good prep for the girls before the start of the cup competition next week.

SATURDAY - BOYS

Under 11 Tigers vs Sky Blues in the Community Phoenix - no report provided

Under 8 Lions faced up against Leamington Breaks Purple. Manroop, Arjun and Sahib scoring in an entertaining draw. Sehaj was great in goal again. Despite a hatful of chances in the dying minutes the Lions had to settle for a hard-fought tie.

Under 8 Pumas (pictured) played against Poppys Colts. The first half was eventful with both keepers being tested. Harvey got the first goal of the game however the opposition scored swiftly to level the game just before half time. Harvey grabbed his second after some nice team play and pressing. Unfortunately, Poppys scored a long-range goal to even the scores. The Pumas persisted on the attack and hit the bar and post on multiple occasions and were denied by some fantastic saves too. A lapse in concentration put the Pumas behind just moments before the final whistle. Nevertheless, the boys played great and had a lot of positives to take away from the match.

Under 8 Jaguars faced Copsewood Hurricanes. It was a game where the opposition were pressing hard early and Manveer and Kavin were brilliant in defence, however the Hurricanes scored a few to give them an early lead. After some missed opportunities Agam scored a couple after through balls from Anshveer and Kavin. Unfortunately, in the second half the team conceded a few goals leaving the Jaguars unable to bring it back. Great effort by all the boys, who can count themselves a little unlucky on the day.

Under 8 Tigers were up against Copsewood Lions. The Tigers were excellent in their own half defending valiantly against serious pressure for 15 minutes. The opposition then managed to breakthrough and scored 4 goals before the break. 2nd half was more of the same, but the boys did their best.

Under 7 Tigers played against Coventry Phoenix. The boys had a fantastic start to their game with Ajaib on form as goalkeeper. The boys although mainly playing a defensive game, did not make it easy for the opposition to score with both teams holding a goal each at half time. The boys drove the game more into the offensive in the second half but were unable to maintain the deadlock. The boys should be proud of the fantastic teamwork that was on display.

Under 7 Lions hosted Brinklow Juniors. The game was all square at half time. The Lions created a lot of chances in the first half and could have easily been several goals clear but couldn't convert their chances in front of the goal. An absence of substitutes and some lapses in defence led to a clear victory for the visitors in the 2nd half. Both GNP goals came from Arjan.

SUNDAY - BOYS

The Under 15s were away to their main title rivals Ambleside Vipers in the first big six-pointer of the season. GNP started off well but seem to have a recent habit of conceding from mistakes which resurfaced when Ambleside took the lead. On the big pitch the formation didn't appear to be working and by half time the team found themselves 3-0 down. Half time brought a change of formation. “Don't panic and remember going on last encounter we only need one goal and more should follow”.
*Corner number 1. Goal from Ajay.
*Corner number 2. Goal from Ethan.
*Corner number 3. Equaliser from Karam!
After having an extra session the day before practising corners, it was great to see the goals go in. Terrific fight back from GNP and showed what they are all about!

GNP Tigers Under 13s hosted Dunlop in a crucial game in the bottom half of Division A. It proved a frustrating affair. Tigers looked the better team but just did not make their chances count, which at the end cost them the game. A great goal from Aayan (his 3rd scoring game in a row) in the 1st half but GNP should have been 4 or 5 goals up. But a fortunate last ditch goal by Dunlop sealed them the game 1-2.

Under 12 Lions visited Meriden Lions Navy in high spirits with 4 points from their 2 games. The confidence was clear as they raced into a 2-0 half time lead and then saw the game out in the 2nd half to grab a fantastic 3-1 league win, which puts a bit of distance between them and the bottom 3 teams! Harshaan took Player of the Match with another imperious defensive display but there were outstanding performances across the park! Goals were scored by Ayomide, a Prabhvir free kick and another excellent finish from Jasraj – Well done Lions – keep up the fantastic work!

Under 12 Tigers put in their performance of the season against 3rd placed Coventry Utd Red. A compact GNP defensive shape frustrated United and the Tigers created several dangerous breaks via the distribution from Cinar at right back and the effective running of Ayden up front. Aarun forced a nervous save from a free kick & from the resulting corner, Saavun floated in his 3rd superb corner in succession. This time Ayden ghosted in at the back post to divert it home and give GNP the lead. Unfortunately, the joy was short lived with Cov Utd hitting back immediately and leaving it 1-1 at half time. The 2nd half saw a similar pattern but Cov Utd took the lead when their centre mid found himself unmarked and slipped the ball past keeper Otis and they sealed the game in the dying minutes when a cross was diverted home with an audacious/speculative volleyed flick from the striker. A superb effort by the Tigers in a game where they were excellent in defence and really dangerous on the break. Otis and the whole back four were superb, and they were ably supported by the midfield 3 & Ayden. Arjun took PotM honours for a big step up in his individual performance level.

Under 11s Pumas vs Bedworth Eagles Superstars. Fantastic start by the Pumas, taking the lead in the first 10 seconds through Casper Lord. It all went downhill with Bedworth camping themselves out in the Pumas half and taking a healthy lead into the half time break. Pumas moved into another gear 2nd half and had several unsuccessful goal scoring opportunities, Bedworth Eagles further extended their lead which proved to be out of reach for the Pumas. Rayan Naved saved a penalty late on in the game for the Pumas.

Under 10 GNP Pumas vs Brinklow. The first half saw the Pumas have chances to go ahead through Jaiden and Lekan, but the first goal came from a corner kick which Jaiden whipped in for Kian to get a touch past the keeper. The 2nd half Brinklow come into the game stronger, challenging the Pumas and eventually getting a goal. The Pumas continued to attack and got a 2nd through a well worked cross from Ziyyad for Shivan to tap the ball across the line. The third goal followed from Lekan, a great individual effort which beat the keeper. Sam (GK) was excellent again making some fantastic saves throughout the game to secure victory against a team that have proved difficult to beat in the past.

Under 10 Lions were up against Bedworth Mavericks. A sluggish start from the Lions and a defensive mistake led to Bedworth taking the lead. The Lions then stepped it up and took a foothold in the game. Numerous shots on goals followed, where the boys hit the bar and several close shaves, but GNP couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Bedworth caught the Lions on the break and went in a couple of goals up at half time. The Lions never got going in the 2nd half; although they continued to battle, they couldn’t create the same chances as the first half and were caught a couple more times on the break. Athrv took PotM honours, with some fantastic long range efforts on goal and was unlucky not to walk away with a hat trick, which would have changed the face of the game.

U9 Tigers vs Leamington Brakes. Tigers started well today, closing down the opposition quickly and forcing mistakes. They were rewarded after some fine work from Sohan down the right, crossing for Kyan to slide in. More chances came and went for the Tigers. The away side equalised with a long range effort which slipped past Samarvir. Leamington grew in the 2nd half which made for an exciting end to end game. Tigers took the lead again through an own goal following a cross from Kyan. Leamington then scored a screamer after Tigers failed to clear a corner. Tigers made more chances in the last 10mins but failed to make them count. Overall, a pleasing performance and a great game for parents to watch!

Under 9 Lions went down to a brave defeat away at Coundon Cockerels in a late kick off. A great performance by all the boys, especially without any subs, evidenced by the boys getting a round of applause from the other team for not giving up at the end. At many times GNP looked the better team, but missed the chances to score when they had them and tiredness ultimately kicked in and cost them at the end. Some great interchange passing from Hashim, Shrihan, Anopa, Awais and Raqeeb. A solid performance from Raunak in defence and Divith in goals. Goals came from Anopa (2) and Raqeeb (1).