GNP Under 14 Panthers were home up against Hillfield AFC. The Panthers piled on the pressure from the off. The training ground practice regards corners paid off well with Anayah finding herself in a free position to score. Lizzy continued her fine form with a great delivery to Enya who scored the 2nd goal. Lizzy again involved in another assist for Mankirat to score. With the Panthers leading 3-0 at half time, they had the match well under control. Hillfield tried to get back into the game however the defence of the Panthers held strong with Avani and Ekham snuffing out any attack and able to pass the ball to Koko and Maya who constantly delivered to the wingers to start a number of attacks. The fourth goal involved Ekham who provided an assist for Mankirat to score. Rose had a fabulous solo effort who took the ball from her own half and dribbled into the oppositions box to score the Panthers fifth. All in all, another fantastic performance for Panthers and one in which they looked comfortable throughout.

GNP Under 12 Panthers made the cursed trip down the A46 on Saturday for a duel with Stratford. Many Panthers stuck in traffic and manager Lloyd and player Tino not arriving until half time, you just knew it was going to be a tough ask. Panthers starting the game with only eight players and no subs, but made a fist of it and were there to fight. Avneet coming close early on from range to show that a player down meant nothing to the girls. Patience came close to opening the scoring when a goalmouth scramble saw her shot blocked as it looked to be heading in. After 20 minutes and very much against the run of play, Stratford opened the scoring with a nicely struck shot from the angle, leaving Kia no chance. Faith nearly equalised shortly after but her shot from outside the box going narrowly over when it looked a certain goal. Stratford, 4 minutes before the break, added a second from a well worked move ending in a close range finish. A minute before the break Patience looked to have reduced the deficit but was adjudged to be narrowly offside. H.t Stratford 2-0 Panthers... 2nd half and the arrival of Tino gave Panthers renewed hope being back up to equal players and were contesting every ball and foraging for a way back into the game, and it was they who scored next when Suvreet side footed in nicely from just inside the area after an Avneet pass put her through. Panthers then were seemingly on the front foot and forcing Stratford deep and you could sense that an equaliser was on the horizon, but a rare Stratford break resulted in the 3rd and final goal, taking the wind out of the Panthers’ sails. After that they didnt give up and still tried to get back into the match, but it wasn't to be with some tired legs on show after the first half efforts. Stratford 3-1 GNP.

A match at home in the glorious May sunshine saw GNP Under 11 Panthers take on Stratford Town Orange with a tight squad of just 10 players. Despite the challenge and the heat, the Panthers came out fighting from the very first whistle with determination and energy across the pitch. The first half was packed with attacking intent from GNP. Anya battled brilliantly throughout, producing some excellent defensive work, while Jodh made a powerful solo run that was only stopped by the Stratford keeper. Roop drove the team forward with strength and determination, unleashing a superb strike that was well saved. Poppy was called into action with a fantastic save, parrying the ball away, although the opposition reacted quickly to score before she could reset. Lily later tested the keeper with a well-placed free kick after a handball decision, while another dangerous corner from Lily almost found Anaiya. Stratford led 1-0 at the break. The Panthers continued to battle hard in the 2nd half. Elizabeth started brightly with a strong effort on goal and remained a threat throughout. After another opposition goal, GNP responded brilliantly when Lily’s pass found Anaiya, whose ball into the area was picked up by Rhea and confidently dispatched into the net. Prema made an attempt on goal too. Aish was outstanding, driving the team forward with fearless runs and tireless energy, earning Coaches’ Player. Parents’ Player went to Anaiya for another superb performance. The Panthers may not have taken the win, but their spirit, fight and teamwork were incredible throughout.

Our new Under 8 Panthers played their 2nd friendly match in an internal game against the new GNP Under 7 Pumas team. The Pumas had the best of the opening period and took a lead. After this, the girls raised their game and matched the Pumas for the 2nd period with Iris prominent in the team’s attacking play and Jasmine a rock at the back. In the 3rd quarter & 4th, the girls finally got reward with excellent goals scored by Iris, Rhea, Poppy & Asees. It wasn’t quite enough to overturn the result with the Pumas scoring several good goals of their own. Well done to both teams on an entertaining and fully committed match.

SATURDAY – BOYS

The Under 7 Lions were involved in a breathless, high-scoring battle against Coventry Phoenix. In a match defined by its physicality and outstanding individual effort, neither side was willing to give an inch. The Lions set the pace early on, with Lucas finding the back of the net to open the scoring. The momentum stayed with the Lions as Lucas turned provider, carving open the defence to assist Gian for the team's second. Coventry Phoenix showed great character to fight back, scoring two quick goals to level the proceedings. The Lions briefly reclaimed the lead through a clinical finish from Aarav, but Phoenix struck back once more just before the half time whistle to level the match. The intensity shifted up a gear after the break. Phoenix took their first lead of the match with a fourth goal, but Gian was on hand to equalise for the Lions with a superb solo effort. The see-saw battle continued as Phoenix notched a fifth, only for Mikey to pull the Lions level again with a brilliant strike following being played through by Gian. With the game hanging in the balance, Phoenix found a sixth goal. Refusing to settle for defeat, the Lions pushed forward, and Gian found the net again, sealing a hat trick and making the game square. In the closing minutes, the Lions thought they had secured a dramatic victory when Gian slotted home what looked like the winner from distance. However, the goal was overturned due to a foul prior to the goal, leaving the match to end in a thrilling stalemate. Some brilliant individual performances, Player of the Match was awarded to Aathi, he really put a shift in for the team with his efforts.

Under 7 Tigers put on a show in a home tie against old rivals Coventry Sphinx. They played some superb individual and team football at times and gained a comfortable and deserved victory over a strong opponent to round off their last home league game of the season. Well done to all the boys, who have proved themselves a formidable opponent in the age group’s highest division this season!

GNP Tigers Under 8s vs Exhall. The Tigers came into this game off the back of some fantastic performances and big wins. Hopes were high for another great performance, which only increased when Rhys fired into the top corner on the first move and just missed volleying in a long clearance from Lucas on the second. Unfortunately the good play was stunted by two unfortunate own goals which caused some heads to drop and the attacking play to become a bit more disjointed in the quest to get back on top. With a full turn out, the 2nd quarter meant a full outfield swap and fresh enthusiasm on the pitch. Milkias, Taran and Akram worked hard to move the ball up the field and create chances while Naod and Lucas reacted quickly to stem the Exhall fast breaks. This resulted in two wonderful goals with Milkias firing in from the left and Taran pouncing on a rebounded cross to slot home, ably assisted by Akram who had to leap out the way of the incoming shot! The boys won the quarter but couldn't quite put us on level terms going into half time. Q3 and the starting line up are back and re-energised. A fine individual effort from Luca and the Lucas/Rhys combination finding the back of the net on the second attempt saw the boys finally draw level. But alas that was to be the end of the comeback and a quality top bins strike for Exhall restored a lead the Tigers couldn't claw back. The final line up made some admirable plays but the Exhall defence ran tirelessly to block numerous chances and anything that made it past them found the keeper blocking the way. Exhall ended the game on top - A frustrating day where the team wasn't quite on it; they seemed to lack confidence going into 50/50s and relied too heavily on the defence and keeper combo to protect the back and long balls instead of tracking back and building attacks slowly. And yet, if not for some bad luck, their quality still could have gained a result against a solid opponent.

Under 8 Lions

SUNDAY – BOYS

Under 13 Pumas were entertaining Mount Nod Juniors. Both teams fighting it out for promotion with Mount Nod lying in 2nd place and GNP in 3rd. Strong and dominant performance throughout by the Pumas who went a goal down after 10 minutes. A double from Junior and another from Mayo giving the Pumas a 3-1 lead into the half time break. Pumas missed many first half chances and should have put the game to bed. Pumas started the 2nd half where they ended the first adding a 4th through Nathan. Mount Nod pulled a goal back to give themselves a chance. Armaan with 2 strikes, adding a 5th and 6th of the game to give the Pumas a 6-2 victory. Pumas leapfrog Mount Nod, up to 2nd in the league, with 3 games to play, promotion is well within their reach!

Under 14 Lions league encounter was cancelled due to opponents forfeiting (lack of players), so the team hosted a friendly vs Bulkington Sports from the division above. The boys played very well first half and took the lead from a stupendous individual goal scored by Emmanuel, dribbling out from the back before cutting in and curling a beauty into the far corner! It was en evenly matched 1st half, but GNP used the conditions well with Mario striking the crossbar. PotM Sahib was influential on the left wing throughout, and it was his pressing, which created a chance for triallist, Sami, who spotted the keeper slightly off his line and hit a long range effort for 2-0 before half time. 2nd half saw the team playing uphill and into the remaining wind and it proved to be too much of a challenge. A rash tackle in the box saw a penalty converted by Bulkington before an equaliser when stand-in keeper Saavun was beaten to the ball by the striker. An unfortunate own goal followed before some poor defending allowed Bulkington to make it 4-2. Sahib and Mario continued to threaten for GNP but no further goals came. Bulkington finished off with a thunderous long range strike to settle the game at 2-5. Back to league action next Sunday for the Lions.

Under 17s hosted Whitley Juniors and put on a dominant performance in an open, high scoring affair. The game finished with a remarkable 18 goals(!) with GNP prevailing 13-5 to reach 4th place in the Div B League table.

Under 11 Tigers (pictured) produced a good team performance in their home match vs Haunchwood Hawks and deserved their victory. A good goal from Harry and a great performance from Kian. Not just scoring a hat trick, but his hard work chasing down defenders and all round play. GNP could have added many more goals but everyone had a good game. Some excellent play at times - well done Tigers!

Under 10 Tigers were away to Racing Club Warwick. The Tigers continued their fine passing form by knocking the ball around comfortably all over the pitch. They were however hit with a counter attack and were unfortunate to concede a goal, against the run of play. The Tigers remained composed and their patience was rewarded with Arveer providing an assist to Veer who slotted home to level the match. The second half saw Rivan getting used to playing down the wing with some attacking runs. Player of the match Adam looked strong and even when he’d lose possession he’d always make sure he’d win the ball back. The constant pressure applied by the Tigers was eventually rewarded as their unrelenting desire to score paid off. Rivan delivered a ball into the box and with the Tigers pressing in numbers, the opposition scored an own goal with 5 minutes left to play. All in all , a deserved win for the Tigers and although the margin of victory was slim, on another day it could’ve been far more comfortable.

Under 9 Lions

Under 9 Tigers visited Vision Knights in a game that finished all square despite GNP having the best of the play and the chances. Yahya was named Player of the Match for the Tigers after a fine performance.

Under 12 Tigers