What an outstanding performance from the Under 9 Panthers this week! From the very first whistle, the team played with energy, confidence, and teamwork. Abigail set the tone by scoring in the very first minute, and the goals kept flowing from there. Despite the blustery and cold conditions, the Panthers showed fantastic composure, spirit, and determination throughout the match. Both halves showcased the fantastic progress of this team. The scorers included Siya with 4 goals, Abigail with 3, Jasika with 2, Mihar with 2, and further strikes from Jaye and Jasmine. It was truly the team’s best performance yet — full of positives and moments to be proud of. In attack, the pressing and link-up play was excellent, while in defence, every player worked hard to track back and protect the goal. So much to celebrate, so much to be proud of, and so much to look forward to from this team!

GNP Panthers Under 12 hosted Leafield Lasers on Saturday on a windswept morning at Finham. Panthers started well and pegged the visitors back for large periods of the first half and got their just rewards after a great through ball from Maya found Avneet who dispatched well from the angle. The 2nd panthers goal came immediately after, Faith closing down well straight from the kick off and winning the ball and sending it wide to Avneet who crossed to find Suvreet who dispatched well inside the six yard box. Panthers took a 2-0 lead into the break. 2nd half saw a “backs to the wall” job defensively with Leafield using the wind to their advantage and they pulled one back with 13 minutes to play. But the Panthers were not to be denied throwing bodies on the line to block shots and when they did come in Kia in goal making a couple of good saves with safe handling. A satisfying morning for GNP with a hard working 2-1 win.

The Under 11 Panthers kicked off their Autumn Trophy campaign with an away fixture at Alvechurch. Both teams started brightly, showing high energy and intent, with early chances at either end. Poppy was sharp in goal, while Lily led the defence alongside Anaiya and Hope, who worked tirelessly to suppress Alvechurch's attacks. A standout moment came when Roop played a well-timed through ball to Elizabeth, who beat the offside trap and raced towards goal, only to be denied by the opposition keeper. The midfield quartet of Roop, Jodh, Anya, and Khloe pushed forward whenever possible, managing several attempts from outside the box. Both teams were committed, with strong tackles and challenges all over the pitch. Unfortunately, Anya picked up a knock to the leg and had to come off. Prema was introduced on the left flank and impressed with her work rate, tracking back to defend and supporting attacks going forward. Despite the Panthers' pressure, Alvechurch capitalised on a counter-attack, exploiting the space left behind and finishing clinically to take a 1st half lead. The 2nd half saw the introduction of Avneet and Rhea, adding fresh energy to the forward line and midfield. The Panthers came out determined, but Alvechurch applied a high press, making it difficult to find rhythm and string passes together. A golden opportunity came from a corner midway through the 2nd half. Lily delivered the ball into the box, which fell to Anaiya at the far post. Her shot was blocked, and despite a scramble in the box, the Panthers were unable to convert. As the game wore on, the intense press from Alvechurch began to take its toll, and fatigue started to set in. The opposition took advantage, scoring two more well-taken goals. Despite the final scoreline, the Panthers showed great resilience and continued to fight until the final whistle. While the result didn’t go our way, there were plenty of positives to take from the game, especially as the team continues to develop and adapt to the new format.

SATURDAY – BOYS

Under 7 Lions hosted SoccerRockz Trojans on a blustery Saturday morning. The Lions started brightly; it wasn't long before a clever through ball from Tommy found Gian to score the opener. This was a sign of things to come, the remainder of the half was mostly played in the oppositions half. Before half-time, Gian added another 2 goals to bag a successive hat trick assisted by Mikey and Aarav. Aathi scored early in the second half. However, the game started to turn. The Trojans had a lot of possession but found it difficult to register shots on target. There was some brave defending from Tommy, Harvansh, and Shivaay, which left the Lions' goalkeeper little to do. The Lions ended the game with Gian's fourth goal of the game in a controlled & comfortable team performance in their first match in their new division.

Under 7 Tigers played a storm of a game against Alvis Juniors as the winds prevailed. The boys dealt incredibly well with the 2 x 20 minutes format and didn’t concede a single goal in the first half. Tobias and Joban had a solid start and Joban was in defence for much of this, which was one of the reasons he secured himself Player of the match at the whistle. Four goals were scored in the first half by Uday, Tobias, Yunus and Marsels with solid play as ever by Uday and Tobias, exceptional energy from Yunus, and Marsels’ fantastic positioning as striker. In the second half Alvis had power play which evened out the field somewhat and they managed to get two goals in the back of the net. David and Rehmat kept up a good fight whenever they were on the pitch by constantly applying pressure and with their natural determination to win the ball. Cameron had some good runs and shots, and one finally paid off from an assist from Tobias. The final goal of the match was by Marsels who got himself his 2nd by putting himself in the right place at the right time and getting the finish. Another great result for the Tigers.

GNP Lions Under 8s played Rugby Borough Lions. What a wild day for football with Storm Amy in full swing. Despite the conditions, both sides started brightly, showing determination, teamwork, and some excellent passing. Early on, GNP pressed forward well, creating several good chances, but Rugby Borough were resilient in defence. Against the run of play, Rugby managed to break through and score three quick goals, leaving GNP with a mountain to climb. But the GNP Lions never give up. Evan was outstanding in goal. He made save after save, commanding his area and distributing the ball with confidence. Thomas worked tirelessly, defending bravely and moving the ball forward quickly to launch attacks. Luca kept the opposition under constant pressure, tackling hard and never giving them a moment’s rest. Sahib was everywhere — not only scoring a brilliant goal directly from a corner but also making crucial tackles and blocks throughout. Kiaan was so unlucky, denied multiple times by superb Rugby goalkeeping and defending. Dhillan produced the tackle of the match, racing back to stop a striker just as he was about to shoot, and also grabbed himself a goal for his efforts. Elliot continued his great form, solid at the back and showing real leadership going forward — and of course, getting himself on the scoresheet again. Jagraaj had an excellent 2nd half, tracking players, applying pressure, and breaking forward with real confidence. Theo impressed with his defensive awareness, making vital blocks and producing the pass of the game — a perfect switch of play that set up Elliot for a run on goal. Despite their heroic comeback, the Lions were unfortunate to miss out narrowly, as a rebound from one of Evan’s brilliant saves fell kindly to a Rugby striker who finished from close range. Lion of the Game: Thomas – for listening carefully to feedback and showing real improvement from training. Player of the Match: Evan. Even though the result didn’t go their way, this was one of the best games the GNP Lions have ever played!

Under 8 Tigers began the new season against Copsewood Lions and started strongly. The first quarter saw the boys command the pitch and they were unlucky to only get the one goal out of a comprehensive team performance. Petru, commanding on the right wing all game, taking on two defenders before crossing to the far post for Rhys to skilfully guide home. The 2nd quarter was just as confident and the boys scored two more including one from the goalkeeper, Lucas. Unfortunately a defensive slip let Copsewood pull one back just before the break. The 2nd half saw Copsewood get into a groove and grabbed every opportunity that came their way with two goals going between the legs of multiple GNP defenders and an epic catch attempt from Taran falling to a Copsewood boot for a third. The Tigers forced a fourth goal thanks to a strong Milkias run and his dangerous cross being deflected into the goal. Despite great effort in the last quarter the team just couldn't pull the game back. Everyone had some great moments and all three keepers on the day pulled off some quality saves. Week on week improvements from the team, including the first time they have won two quarters in a game and putting the other team on the back foot with a strong start. It’s only a matter of time before it clicks. Go Tigers!!

The Under 9 Jaguars (pictured) hosted Rugby Borough Hawks at Finham on a blustery morning, and from the first whistle, it was clear they were hungry for this one. With a history of fiercely competitive clashes between these two sides, this match was no exception. Isaac came out firing, testing the keeper with early shots before slotting home the opener—and then doubling the lead within minutes! The Hawks pushed back hard, but Freddie was fearless in goal, making brave saves and even charging out of his box to shut down a dangerous counter. Theo took us into half-time with a comfortable lead after scoring from a great cross. The 2nd half saw the Hawks claw their way back, scoring from a corner and converting a penalty. But the Jaguars held firm, and Bobby’s composed goal gave us breathing room. The wind picked up as spectators had to hold down the goalposts for the final moments of the game! A late Rugby goal made for a nail-biting finish, but the final whistle confirmed our first league victory of the season! The Jaguars looked confident across the pitch—defence solid, wingers dancing past their markers, and attackers direct and determined. Freddie earned Player of the Week for his fearless keeping and leadership. He was commanding, vocal, and distributed the ball like a pro—definitely channeling his inner Pickford!

Under 10 Pumas played against Stockton in an away fixture. After a tough match a couple of weeks ago, the Pumas returned with renewed energy and determination. From the first whistle, it was an evenly matched contest, with both teams battling for control and testing the goalkeepers early on. Stockton took the lead, but the Pumas responded swiftly — Yash equalised with a superb strike from outside the box. The second half saw end-to-end action, with both sides creating chances and their keepers kept busy. The defence held strong while the attackers pushed forward to try getting ahead. Jaiden, named Player of the Match, was outstanding at wing-back — winning numerous tackles, defending solidly, and distributing the ball brilliantly. The match finished level, but it was a hugely positive performance from the Pumas, showing how much they’ve progressed since their previous meeting. A fantastic team effort all around.

Under 10 Lions welcomed higher tier Stockton Thunder for a thrilling encounter that showcased grit, teamwork, and plenty of drama from start to finish. With Ksawery bravely stepping into goal for the first half, the Lions came out pressing hard and creating early chances. Their efforts paid off just minutes into the game when Nikhil found space and coolly slotted home after a sharp attacking move. Stockton responded with determination, pushing into our half, but Manroop & Arjun were rock-solid at the back, reading the game well and breaking up attacks with confidence, even making goal line clearances! The Lions then launched a slick counterattack, with quick passing through midfield setting up Fakhir to double the lead in style. In the second half, Yuvraaj took over between the sticks and faced a wave of pressure as Stockton began to dominate possession. Despite some heroic defending and saves, an unlucky deflection narrowed the gap. The Lions dug deep, but Stockton kept pressing and managed to find an equaliser in the dying moments of the match. Despite the late twist, the Lions showed tremendous character and teamwork throughout. The result means they continue their unbeaten start to the season—a fantastic achievement for the squad!

The GNP Under 10 Jaguars faced a tough challenge against Warwick Juniors this weekend in what proved to be an entertaining and hard-fought match. The Jaguars started brightly, creating plenty of chances and showing great teamwork across the pitch. Their efforts were rewarded when Reggie opened the scoring, finishing confidently after some excellent build-up play. However, a few unfortunate decisions and missed opportunities allowed Warwick to get back into the game, and they managed to score a couple of goals before half-time. After the break, Warwick started the second half strongly and added another goal early on. Despite the setback, the Jaguars showed fantastic spirit and kept pressing forward. Their determination paid off when Reggie grabbed his second of the match, giving the team hope of a late comeback. Although the final result didn’t go our way, it was another performance full of effort, teamwork, and positivity. The boys continue to play some great football, and with a bit more luck, the results will surely follow soon

GNP Under 13 Tigers hosted Sky Blues ITC at Finham Park. The game started in testing weather conditions with both teams fast out the blocks playing end to end football. It took around 15 mins and it was GNP that broke the deadlock via a fine team goal completed by Muhamadou. GNP accelerated in the last 10 mins of the half and added a handful of goals to go into HT leading 5-0. Second half was more challenging and GNP added a further 3 goals to their tally from some fine counter attacking football. Player of the match was given to Rajan who battled hard throughout the game in defence and was constantly kept busy by their wingers. A great all round performance. Final score 8-0 and the Tigers continue their dominant start to their Div 1 campaign.

SUNDAY – BOYS

Under 14 Tigers welcomed back 3 players from injury and continued their prolific start to the season with an impressive 0-7 win away to Coventry Hydras to maintain their 100% league record after 3 games. A strong start saw Muhamadou give us a quick 2-0 lead after good work by Dylan and assists from Ayden & Enoch. Saavun, who is in fine goalscoring form, added a third, before Aarun S struck home a trademark free kick with aplomb from over 20 yards. Positional changes and experiments saw less fluidity in the 2nd half, but the boys still added an additional 3 goals. PotM Saavun teed up Ayden for a smart finish (0-5) before Iklil’s run and cross forced an own goal, and Harman S finished off proceedings with a deserving goal; a smart run and vicious shot at the near post.

Under 14 Lions hosted Chetwynd Cobras, a team we’d failed to beat in 2 attempts last season, and eager to reverse the trend this season of losing out narrowly at the end of close games. The boys started brilliantly in the first 10 mins, firstly with a superb 1-2 interchange between Harry and Mario, which set Harry free on the left; he pulled the ball across the 6 yard box where Mario arrived to stretch and divert the ball into the far corner. Emmanuel then picked up a ball on the right, jinked past a couple of defenders and fired an unstoppable shot in off the crossbar for an early 2-0 lead. The defence held firm as Cobras settled into the game. Yuvraj was superb throughout, strong and aggressive at left back and was awarded with PotM. He was well backed up by Bhairav and Ryan in particular and Daniel was alert with 1 or 2 great saves when needed. Pavan also put in a great shift at CDM which allowed GNP to create the better chances as the game progressed. Ashwin came on in a new Striker position and was a menace to the Chetwynd backline with his raw pace and pressing. Ashwin got a deserved goal in the 2nd half when his pressure created chances for himself and Harry which were both well saved by the keeper before he smashed in the rebound. Final score was a very pleasing 3-0 home win and the team’s first clean sheet of the season. Well done Lions!

Under 14 Pumas visited Coventry Saracens. Final score was Saracens 8 GNP 1, An even game to start, but with the wind behind them and a strong attacking side, Saracens soon scored. GNP started to attack well and missed chances on goal. With Saracens playing downhill and with the wind, they scored a further 5 goals before half time. With a great team talk from the management, GNP came out fighting in the 2nd half, showing how they can play football as a team. They soon got the goal they were looking for from Eni and were playing great football. Late into the game, Saracens scored twice, with one being a miscommunication in defence. Unfortunately, GNP lost, but there was great passion and skill from all of the team, and if we could have played like the 2nd half, it would have been a different story. Well done, lads.

Under 13 Pumas were up against Coventrians in another home game, looking to avenge their 4-1 defeat to the same opposition in a cup fixture a few weeks back. Pumas knew today’s encounter was going to be a physical one, both teams taking it to one another in a hard fought contest. Coventrians took the lead but Pumas moved up a gear & missed 2 golden opportunities to equalise through Evan. Pumas piled on the pressure and eventually got their equaliser through Arun who smashed his shot into the back of the net. A controlling Pumas performance saw them dominating the 1st half and added a second through Baaj with a shot from distance. Slow 2nd half start by the Pumas saw them soaking up the pressure, but unable to prevent Coventrians from getting their equalising goal. Game finished 2-2 and the Pumas remain undefeated in the league.

The GNP Under 12 Jaguars secured a 3-2 win over Exhall Colts U12, a strong and unbeaten team. Ahmed scored two goals, and Arjun added a third with a great curling finish from outside the box. Debutants Joven B and Victor impressed, contributing to the team's success. Despite a late goal from Exhall, the Jaguars held on for a well-deserved victory. Ahmed was named Player of the Match for his goals and overall play. The team was praised for their great performances, and the coach was impressed with their teamwork and composure. The Jaguars showed great spirit and skill, and it was a well-deserved win.

The Under 12 Tigers faced Maine Athletes Pumas in what turned out to be a thrilling and hard-fought contest from start to finish. Maine took the lead midway through the first half after some strong attacking play, going into half-time with a narrow advantage. Despite being behind, the Tigers showed great determination and belief with a tactical change paying immediate dividends. The Tigers came out with renewed energy and intensity, and it wasn’t long before Jude produced a moment of magic – a fantastic solo effort to level the game. Maine responded quickly, regaining the lead, but the Tigers refused to let their heads drop. Lewel struck next, calmly finishing to bring things level once again. Momentum was now with the Tigers, and Reece put them ahead with a superbly taken effort that sent the Tigers into celebration. The game remained open, with both sides pushing forward, and Maine managed to equalise once more to set up a tense finish. However, the Tigers’ relentless pressure eventually paid off. Reece was fouled in the box and confidently stepped up to bury the resulting penalty, securing a deserved victory for the team. It was another display of fight, teamwork, and determination from this ever-improving squad, who once again showed they never give up. Player of the Match: Lewel – for an amazing all-round performance full of energy, effort, and commitment.

Under 12 Lions were up against Rugby Borough Juniors. The first half was pretty even, both teams creating chances. The only goal of the half came pretty early on, when a poor clearance from the GNP keeper, went straight to their striker to score. GNP created chances in the 2nd half and the match remained very competitive. No further goals were scored and the match ended 1-0 to Rugby. A good performance overall, after a couple of heavy defeats in recent weeks, the boys battled back well this week. Man of the match went to Aman, for a quality all round display.

Under 11 Tigers hosted Chapelfields Colts in their final trophy event game. After a cagey opening 10mins, the Tigers settled and started to find space and created openings. Kiaan was played through and after some smart work, finished at the near post. For the remainder of the half the Tigers were on top but were guilty of not getting the final ball right. After a shuffle around in the 2nd half, the Tigers started with more intensity. Harry added a second before the away side capitalised on a defensive mix up. Following the goal from the away side, the Tigers responded by pinning Chapelfields in their own half, Harry and Akaalvir both added to the goals. More chances came and went in what was a very pleasing performance from the Tigers, especially the 2nd half where they pressed as a team exceptionally and carved the away side open. PotM went to Akaalvir, played a few different positions and was pivotal in the heart of midfield for the team, scored a great box to box goal to cap off a solid performance.

Under 10 Tigers finished off their Trophy Event campaign with a positive performance and result against Warwick Stars with a number of different goalscorers on the scoresheet! Hopefully a big confidence boost for the boys and a reward for the level of improved performances in recent weeks - Well done lads!

The GNP Under 9 Tigers battled both the wind and a determined Mount Nod side to claim a thrilling away win. The Tigers started strong, with Bishoy scoring early before Gurshaan doubled the lead through great pressing. A dominant first quarter; In the second, Kurren made it three after a clever assist from Yahya, while Arthur produced several key saves. Mount Nod pulled one back before halftime. The third quarter saw Mount Nod surge ahead with three quick goals, but the Tigers hit back when Arthur’s shot led to a handball, and he calmly converted the penalty to equalise. In the final quarter, Aron took over in goal and made crucial saves, supported by a composed defence. Late on, Bishoy struck again from a Gurshaan assist to seal the win. Player of the Match: Arthur – some great saves and a confident penalty.

The Under 9 Pumas were at home against Coventrians in our third Trophy Event game. The conditions were blustery and made for an interesting game. It started as evenly-matched, and late in the first half, we found a breakthrough with Srihan assisting Hugh for a great goal. However, we were pegged back by two crosses which both went over our keeper’s head. Although we tried our best to get back into the game, we conceded another which just crept over the line. However, it was an interesting end to the game as Hugh turned provider for Rehaan to score, with the boys working hard to try and pull us back into the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough in the end, but we’re very proud of the boys and how they kept going until the end. Onwards and Upwards!