Our Panthers Girls teams performed superbly this week, with 3 brilliant victories and 2 brave draws across the 5 fixtures! In Mid Warwickshire Boys Trophy Event action our Jaguars teams (U9 & U10) both progressed to next week's quarter finals, whilst our U10 Lions missed out in a dramatic penalty shoot out. Meanwhile our U14 Tigers & U14 Panthers both continued their fantastic 100% starts to their league campaigns!

SATURDAY – GIRLS

Under 15 Panthers were away against Wellesbourne Wanderers. The 2 sides matched each other all over the pitch but a mix up at the back on the stroke of half time meant that the Panthers went into the break 1-0 down, despite having the best chances. The 2nd half saw the hosts pressing strongly but the defence kept solid to keep the score at 1-0. The Panthers broke the opposition defence and a cross was handled resulting in a penalty. Kia stepped up but her effort was saved by the keeper. Despite almost coming level the Panthers found themselves 2-0 down. The Panthers heads didn’t drop and soon pulled one back with Lara beating the Wellesbourne defence and putting past the onrushing keeper. The Panthers were then awarded another penalty for another handball. Despite missing the first penalty, Kia stepped up again and this time made no mistake, firing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner. The Panthers almost won it in the last minute but Mekenna’s shot just skimmed the crossbar. 2-2 final score

GNP Under 14 Panthers hosted Sutton Coldfield and got off to a positive start, creating some excellent chances in quick succession. Lizzy and Enya both came close but couldn’t get the final connection after getting into great positions. The intensity from the Panthers continued with a great effort from Hannah, saved superbly by the Sutton goalkeeper. Panthers finally got the breakthrough they deserved. A short goal kick from Sutton Coldfield was well anticipated by Jah’Dae, who stole the ball, dribbled past a defender and chipped the ball with the outside of her foot over the keeper. A great finish from Jah’Dae to put Panthers 1-0 up. Sutton Coldfield grew into the game and were winning 2nd balls. It became a great battle in midfield and a shot from Sutton skidded off the wet surface to make it 1–1 before the break. The 2nd half started with great intensity from the Panthers, who pushed for the lead. Panthers created chances with Mankirat doing well to cross and Rose narrowly missing. Pressure continued from Panthers and the game became very intense and physical in midfield with some really good battles. Panthers took the lead with some great individual work from Mankirat, who beat two players and fired her shot past the keeper to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Anayah, Avani, Lillyrose and Maya did an amazing job in defence to limit Sutton Coldfield to minimal chances. The game finished 2-1, making it 5 wins from 5 in the league!

GNP Under 12 Panthers made the trip to Redditch on Saturday morning and it was Redditch who were on top from the off, breaking the deadlock 10 minutes in, taking advantage of a defensive mix up from a goal kick and punishing GNP to make it 1-0. The second followed shortly after from a shot just inside the box. The Panthers had brief attacks in the first half and a great shot from Arianna nearly brought them back into it, but a good save was made by the Redditch keeper. 2-0 at the break. 2nd half began with GNP looking brighter and trying hard on a terribly sloped & heavily muddy pitch and they got back into things when the hard working Arianna hit a powerful shot from the left of the area which the keeper got a hand to but couldn't keep out. GNP now had the bit between their teeth and equalised through Suvreet who got away down the right and got a shot away that was blocked but finished well from the rebound. 2-2. GNP now fully awoken from there first half hiatus,went for broke and the winner arrived duly from a corner and a scramble in the box, which arrived to the boot of Faith who finished well from 6 yards, high beyond the keeper for 3-2. The Panthers taking home all three points and deservedly so, after rousing themselves from the jaws of defeat

The GNP Under 11 Panthers delivered a thrilling performance on home turf against a strong Coventry City Red side. From the first whistle, the Panthers showed determination and teamwork, moving the ball confidently and creating several early chances. Poppy was kept busy in goal, pulling off a series of crucial saves to keep the Panthers in contention. Eight minutes in, Coventry took the lead with a powerful strike that rebounded from Poppy for a follow-up finish. Two more quick goals followed, but the Panthers’ spirit never wavered. After half time, the game turned. The Panthers regrouped, showing composure, communication, and resilience. Anaiya anchored the midfield superbly, supported by Hope and Lily, who were relentless in breaking up Coventry’s attacks. Poppy continued her fine form with more key saves as the Panthers pushed forward. The breakthrough came when Elizabeth’s pace and control opened up the Coventry defence, allowing Avani to slot home confidently. Minutes later, Roop powered through their defence with determination to bring home a second goal, igniting greater belief across the team. With the clock ticking down, the Panthers continued to press. Lily’s clever distribution from the back found Anaiya, who set up Rhea perfectly to smash home the equaliser, sending the supporters wild. It was a fantastic display of grit, teamwork, and passion from the Panthers — a true demonstration of their growth and determination this season. Player of the match was Avani.

GNP Under 9 Panthers hosted Coventry Saracens Juniors and set the tone early with energetic play and confident movement on the ball. The team linked up well across the pitch, creating chances and showing real intent. Siya’s outstanding five-goal first half put Panthers firmly in control by the break. The strong display continued after the restart, with everyone working for one another and producing some excellent football. Other goals throughout the game were from Abi adding four, while Mihar, Jackie and Shreya each scored to complete an impressive team effort. Lily was solid and composed in defence, Shreya put in a reliable shift while in goal, and Jaye contributed with a committed performance. The game also offered a chance to test players in different roles and underline the progress running through the squad. The coaches and players look forward to building on this momentum.

SATURDAY – BOYS

Under 9 Jaguars vs Hillmorton Dragons (Mid Warwickshire U9 Trophy) . The Jaguars came into this game with a point to prove. Having lost to the Dragons in their opening game of the season, they had a score to settle — and from the first whistle, it was clear they meant business. Fast, attacking football saw the Jaguars dominate early possession, and it paid off when Theo found the net after some brilliant link-up play up front. The pressure didn’t let up, and soon after, he struck again to give the Jaguars a comfortable lead. At the back, the defence held firm. Freddie was solid in goal, commanding his box and distributing well to launch counters. Mithun, leading by example with the captain’s armband, was everywhere — breaking up attacks and driving the team forward. His performance earned him Player of the Week. Just before the break, the Dragons pulled one back from a corner, but the Jaguars didn’t lose focus. The 2nd half was end-to-end, with both sides creating chances. Isaac, calm and composed in midfield, restored the two-goal cushion with a well-taken finish. Leo added a fourth, showing great awareness and positioning to get on the scoresheet. The Dragons keeper did well to deny Theo a hat-trick from the penalty spot, but the Jaguars stayed in control. Even as the Dragons grabbed a second, the boys dug deep and saw the game out with confidence. There were standout contributions across the pitch — Emaad’s pace and pinpoint switches stretched the Dragons wide, Bobby worked tirelessly at both ends of the pitch, Stan held the ball up brilliantly to keep the pressure on, and Varun’s pressing helped shut things down late on. Final score: 4–2 to the Jaguars. A strong, confident performance that earned a well-deserved place in the next round of the cup. The Dragons coach even commented it was like playing a completely different team to the one they faced earlier in the season. Sadly, the game ended on a tough note as Seva, who had been having a brilliant game in defence, suffered a fractured forearm. Everyone at GNP wishes him a speedy recovery — we can’t wait to see him back on the pitch soon!

The GNP Under 10 Jaguars were playing away against Stratford Knights in the 1st Round of the Mid Warwickshire Plate event. The boys started off a little slow, taking time to find their rhythm against a well-organised Stratford side. However, once they settled into the game, the Jaguars began to create chances and were rewarded when Reggie opened the scoring in the first half. In the second half, the team continued to press and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. That persistence paid off when Reggie struck again, finishing smartly to double the lead after Brandon’s shot was well saved and Anshveer was unlucky to see his effort crash against the crossbar. The Player of the Match went to Angad, who showed fantastic strength, composure, and leadership at the back. His defensive awareness and ability to stay calm under pressure played a huge role in keeping the opposition out. Stratford Knights applied pressure late on, but the Jaguars stayed organised and resilient, seeing out the game professionally to secure a well-deserved win to book them a place in the quarter finals.

Under 10 Lions went into the first round Mid Warwickshire Vase match, hosting Leek Wotton nervous but with confidence. Any nervousness disappeared as the Lions took control of the game pressing hard and attacking the goal. The persistence paid off as Fakhir found the back of the net twice in quick succession to give the Lions the lead. Leek Wotton capitalised on a poorly timed pass to get back in the game, then a superb free kick brought the game level again. The second half saw a similar energy from the Lions, making some great plays to goal and Sehaj pulling off fantastic saves. Leek Wotton broke the deadlock to inch into the lead. After numerous attempts, Sahib was rewarded with a goal and brought us back into the game. With a draw at the final whistle, the game went to penalties. Yuvraaj, Veer, Manroop, Sahib and Fakhir stepped up, but Leek Wootton won despite Sehaj's brilliant goalkeeping performance, which earned him POTM.

The Under 10 Pumas faced higher-tier Harbury in the Mid Warwickshire Autumn Trophy 1st Round. The game began at a high tempo with the opposition pressing forward aggressively, putting the Pumas under early pressure. Harbury opened the scoring quickly with some strong attacking play, adding a few goals in quick succession. The Pumas’ defence had a very busy day, with Jaiden (POTM) standing out through his determination and excellent 1v1 defending against their wide players, winning numerous duels throughout the match. The second half was more balanced, and the Pumas were rewarded when Sunny struck a fantastic goal from outside the box. Although Harbury added a few more goals, the Pumas kept their heads up and continued to work hard. Despite a tough test, the boys never stopped running, pressing, and giving their all from start to finish.

Under 8 Lions vs Vision Raptors. The Lions were away this week, still chasing their first win of the season post Evaluation period. Recent performances have shown real progress, and the boys arrived full of energy, belief, and determination. The first 10 minutes were end-to-end, with both sides creating chances. Evan in goal was outstanding — reacting to every ball, coming off his line bravely, and showing great listening and concentration throughout. In the 2nd quarter, Dhillan broke free and finished coolly into the bottom corner to give the Lions a deserved lead. At the back, Elliott was immense — covering the whole pitch and refusing to let anything past him. Against the run of play, Vision Raptors found an equaliser, but the Lions hit back brilliantly. Thomas, who never stops running, won the ball down the wing, burst past several players, and crossed perfectly for Kiaan to sweep home his first goal of the season — sending the Lions supporters wild! The 3rd quarter saw more heroic efforts all over the pitch. Luca, taking on players twice his size, tracked back superbly and showed great footwork from a quick kick-in, almost grabbing a goal himself. Sahib, full of energy on the opposite wing, worked tirelessly to close down opponents and showed smart vision trying to put Theo through on goal. Despite not feeling 100%, Theo showed real courage and commitment, pressing and even tracking back deep to help his teammates. In the final quarter, Vision pulled level again, but the Lions weren’t done. Dhillan showed his striker’s instinct once more, pouncing for his 2nd goal of the game. To seal the result, Elliott capped off his excellent display by driving forward and finishing coolly, giving the Lions a comfortable cushion in the closing minutes. Star of the Week: Evan — Outstanding in goal, showing bravery, focus, and composure throughout. Player of the Match: Kiaan — Worked tirelessly and notched his first goal of the season!

The Under 8 Tigers came into this week desperate to put last week’s defeat behind them. The opposition, an unbeaten Christ the King blue, making sure the boys would have to work to get anything from the game. The boys started slow and let CTK build a two goal lead in the first 5 minutes. Undeterred the team kept their heads up and fought back to end the quarter level thanks to some good passing and persistence from Rhys,Akram and Petru. The 2nd quarter proved a stale mate with both teams providing good defensive cover and strong tackles. The GNP boys can be proud of how hard they battled to stem the oppositions attacks. Special mention to main keeper Lucas who pulled off some epic diving saves. By the 3rd quarter the Tigers were hitting their stride, getting the lions share of the play and chance after chance came their way with two fine goals. This included the team’s first goal from a corner with Naod’s strike from the edge of the box. Quarter four saw Lucas and Rhys combining in attack with the usual success, this combination has resulted in 3 tigers goal each quarter they've played and today kept that run alive. Taran did his usual consistent job covering in goal and it was great to see the hard working Petru find the back of the net again. Christ the king scored a couple of strong free kicks to keep their hopes alive but the tigers kept their heads to see the game out and make it 3 wins from the last four in the league. The boys have focused on stronger tackling in training and the hard work showed. They came up against a strong, well organised side, full of confidence and stood tall. Goals came from Rhys (4), Akram, Naod and Petru (2). Every player can be so proud of their performance this week. Go Tigers!!!

GNP Under 7 Lions hosted Leamington Foundation Orange this Saturday. During the first half of the match, the Lions had a significant amount of possession in the opposition's half but failed to create many clear-cut chances. Shivaay, Jeevan and Tommy had notable performances, understanding when to travel and when to distribute the ball which ensured the majority of the play was in the opposition's half, giving the Lions' goalkeeper little to do. In the second half, both teams were eager to score which resulted in a flurry of action. Gian scored the opening goal of the match, which was followed by an equaliser from the Oranges due to a lapse of concentration in midfield by the Lions. Gian scored a further two goals in quick succession to complete a 5 minute hat trick, assisted by Mikey and Aathi. The Lions had finally found their shooting boots, Shivaay was next to score, his first goal of the season, and it was from a significant distance. The Lions were in control. Unfortunately, due to a misjudgement, a Lions outfield player caught the ball with his hands just outside the Lions penalty box, the resulting free kick given to the Oranges found its way in eventually. Overall, another controlled performance from the team – well done boys.

Under 7 Tigers took on an impressive Vision Titans. Titans had a quickfire start by scoring from a Tigers kick off, which was pressured quickly. The Titans got themselves two more goals, another from an error from our part, and one from some great fast play from the Titans. Marsels scored for the Tigers which gave the Tigers a skip in their step. Both the second and third 10 minutes saw us much more evenly matched and both quarters were tied. There were goals from David and Joban during this middle period. Uday defended well and made some much needed clearances at the back. Cameron made a great run down the wing, nearly scoring and Rehmat gave his usual fantastic team performance and got involved wherever he was needed. In the last quarter the Tigers hung on well but the Titans showed us their skills with a superb final goal of the match. It was Tigers first ever loss in league football, however they gave a good fight and at no point did they give up. These tougher games help to expose what we need to work on to make the team even stronger. Player of the match went to Tobias who made a great save in goal, set up a goal from a free kick and covered ground and held defence for the boys incredibly well. He provides consistently strong week on week performances for the Tigers and deserved his recognition today.

SUNDAY – BOYS

The Under 17s hosted Ambleside Vipers in the hope of continuing our winning form. The game started scrappy, with the heavy pitch not doing anyone any favours. Ambleside held the first chance of the game with a few efforts inside the 6-yard box cleared off the line multiple times from our defenders. This was pivotal as it showed the desire we have as a team to put bodies on the line. Shortly after, Ethan C puts a great cross in which bounces off the bar and falls to Archie W who puts us 1-0. A player who works very hard and is being rewarded with goals. Our backline stayed solid, Arjun, Eben, Jatin and Jacob brought some real solidarity ensuring that our opponents couldn’t get a sniff. Second half kicks off and Ethan C pounces on a cross to put us 2 ahead after some outstanding work from skipper Baz. We have a big squad this year, and one thing I would like to mention is how every single player in this team contributes massively. Whether they start or come off from the bench, we have trust in them all to perform. Making subs hasn’t disrupted the play, it has been seamless, and no matter which position any of the lads are put in, they put in an absolute shift. Ethan finished the game off with his brace and it ended 3-0. Guvi has been excellent coming on and seeing the game out. Karam and Sai too both developing very well in this team no matter the position they play in. Ajay and Ethan W forming good a partnership as the two holding midfielders, but a special shout out to Lewis who even after taking a nasty challenge early on, made some great saves to get his first clean sheet in a long time. Coach Ro is really excited about this team and how well they are bonding, and is more than confident that they will climb the table to finish in a very strong position.

Under 14 Tigers made the trip to Leamington Foundation Orange buoyant after hitting top spot last week and delivered a superb performance to put this game to bed in the 1st half. The team combined superbly and unselfishly in the 1st half with slick interplay and movement off the ball. Ayden was electric up top, working hard to press and then combining with others to create chance after chance. On 11 mins his hard work down the right culminated in a fizzing cross into the 6 yard box which was dispatched by Muhamadou. Another fine move saw Ayden score after a cross-shot from Saavun. Harman S then came off the bench with great impact for the 2nd week in a row. Within minutes he scored after great work from Dylan and was instrumental again in a wonderful team move, crossing to Ayden who laid the ball off unselfishly for Harman B to score the 4th goal from 7 yards. The Tigers seemed unstoppable and could even afford a missed penalty before half time when Harman S was fouled. 2nd half the football was often just as good and further goals were added by joint Players of the Match, Ayden and Harman S. These goals were set up by a fine assist from 2nd half substitute, Ehan, and a throw in, flicked on by Oscar. The boys discipline dropped for a 10 minute spell as some of the defenders tried to get in on the goalscoring, leading to a breakaway goal from the plucky Leamington team. Final score 1-6. The team now have a 3 pt lead in the league and are well placed for a big title push over the winter period. Keep up the momentum lads!

Under 14 Pumas hosted Coventry Alvis Eagles in a tough encounter after some recent disappointments. However, the boys dug deep to produce one of their better performances as a newly formed team. They eventually went down to a 4-2 defeat but should feel proud and positive about the way they performed.

Under 14 Lions visited CHESS Tigers looking to bounce back from last week. The performance was improved in terms of the passing and control of the ball, but the stand-in CHESS keeper was quick off his line and showed great hands whenever tested. Sadly the boys found themselves 2-0 down, both goals coming from long balls over the top which we failed to deal with at the back. 2nd half the conditions were in GNP’s favour, leading to the Lions having the strong balance of the possession and territorial advantage, but 2 further mistakes on isolated CHESS attacks saw the team fall 4-0 behind – a miraculous and unjustified scoreline given the way the game had gone. As we approached the final 15 mins, things started to finally go GNP’s way, with Emmanuel taking the game into his own hands with a series of dazzling trademark runs past the tiring Tigers defence. He scored 2 fantastic solo goals from these as well as putting a further clear chance narrowly wide. A lovely goal finished by Mohammed was disallowed for a questionable offside, before Mario charged down a clearance and finished with power into the far corner to narrow the gap to 1 goal. GNP continued to push hard for the equaliser but time ran out and they found themselves on the end of a frustrating 4-3 defeat. The relative inexperience of the team has shown up in recent weeks with us conceding soft goals far too easily and undoing some of the good work of the team going forward. Some tough games to come and lots to work on, but the experience will all be worthwhile as the squad continues to develop. PotM was Chengwu for giving us a controlled presence in midfield.

Under 13 Pumas were entertaining Coundon Court Black who were relegated last season. Controlling display by the Pumas who didn’t play last week due to a shortage of players, and it showed. Pumas did enough to secure a comfortable 6-0 win, but could have been more, but for missed chances and some fine saves being made by the Coundon keeper. Pumas took a 4-0 lead into the half time break, goal’s from Armaan, and Nathan scoring a first half hat trick. Slow start by the Pumas in the 2nd half. Defensive mistake by Coundon allowing Nathan to put the Pumas further ahead. Right at the end, Arun Kumar raced away from the Coundon defence to score the Pumas 6th goal of the game. Well deserved win for GNP!

GNP Under 12 Pumas V Nuneaton Borough. GNP Pumas started out strongly, taking the lead after just three minutes when Lekan headed in from a Ziyyad corner. Momentum continued as Ziyyad doubled the advantage four minutes later, finishing well after a clever assist from Mason. Sam produced an important save at 10 minutes, but defensive lapses allowed the opposition back into the game, pulling one back at 11 minutes and equalising shortly before the half-hour mark. Despite the setback, Lekan struck again in the 33rd minute to restore the lead before halftime. In the second half, the pumas asserted control. Lekan completed his hat-trick at 42 minutes with an assist from Shivan, making it 4–2. Ziyyad then sealed the win with a brilliant individual effort at 47 minutes. The Pumas had many chances to to take a larger lead, however Nuneaton held a strong defence late on, thwarting several opportunities. The match finished with GNP beating Nuneaton borough 5–2, a solid all round team performance.

Brinklow Juniors 1–1 GNP Jaguars Under 12. A brilliant, well-spirited game from start to finish. GNP started strongly, with Joven B and Victor causing early problems. Robin opened the scoring after following up his own shot for his first goal of the season. Brinklow equalised before half-time despite solid defending and some fine saves from Morris. In the second half, GNP created several chances through Ahmed, Armaan, Joven, Robin, and Victor but couldn’t find a winner. Morris made key saves to keep the score level. The game finished 1–1, a fair result and a great display of teamwork. Players of the Match: Morris and Victor for their outstanding performances. A strong team effort and a positive result for the GNP Jaguars

GNP Under 12 Lions faced a tough test against high-flying Rugby Borough Jaguars – a side who had won seven of their first eight games! The opening stages were evenly contested, but Rugby’s extra sharpness in front of goal saw them strike twice midway through the first half before adding two more before the break to lead 4–0 at half-time. Despite the scoreline, GNP showed tremendous character in the second half. They tightened up defensively, created several good chances, and were unfortunate not to score – denied by goalmouth scrambles and some fine saves from the Rugby keeper. The Lions’ determination ensured a goalless second half, reflecting their resilience and team spirit. There were strong performances across the team, with Rajan impressing in midfield and Benjamin solid in goal. The Man of the Match award went to Jack for his relentless work rate and effort in taking the game to the Jaguars. GNP can take plenty of positives from this display as they continue to compete strongly against quality opposition.

Under 11 Tigers

Under 10 Tigers

The Under 9 Lions (pictured) hosted Copsewood Tigers on the Corpus Christi 3G. The boys started the match with such ferocity, catching the opposition by surprise. Harvey scored the first goal within the first couple of minutes establishing a lead that GNP would not relinquish. The first half the team were strong with immaculate passing between players. Goals continued to flow from several two or three touch passing moves. As the boys tired the visitors gained momentum with a goal before the half time whistle. With a fresh burst of determination the opposition increased the amount of attempts to score, finding holes in our defence. It is no easy feat to get past our keeper Balraj, who prevented them from scoring from several chances. GNP were able to maintain the lead in the game. Well done to all of the boys in today's game, they all contributed to the success of the game. Balraj, Jeevan and Sam maintaining the defence; fantastic passing in the midfield by Neal, Aaron, Anwar and Harvey; Rohan and Harnam a stronghold as wingers. Harvey led the goalscoring efforts with 4 goals - Great effort boys!

Under 9 Tigers vs Coundon Court Black. It was a well-contested game between the Tigers and Coundon Court Black, with both teams battling hard throughout. Chances were limited as much of the action took place in the midfield, where both sides worked tirelessly to gain control. The first quarter ended goalless, with neither team able to break the deadlock. Early in the second quarter, Coundon Court took the lead, but the Tigers responded quickly with Kurren showing great awareness to finish from a second ball and bring the score level. In the third quarter, Coundon edged ahead once more and despite the Tigers pushing for an equaliser, a strong defensive display and solid goalkeeping from Coundon saw them the eventual winners. Player of the Match: Arjun — for some excellent goalkeeping and brave saves.

Under 9 Pumas were away to Brinklow. We started with a high intensity but were caught on the break and conceded an early goal. While trying to get back into the game, we left gaps at the back and some poor positional play meant we conceded another two before half time. We changed the formation after the break to press higher up the pitch, but a lack of tracking back, coupled with the opposition’s slick passing, led to us conceding three more goals. Although there were some flashes of brilliance, there were too many basic errors. Overall, a day to forget, but hopefully we’ll come back stronger next time.