Under 16s 2004 / 2005 ~ penned b

Having only just beaten Hapton at home the previous week, the under 16's again faced Hapton in the return leg at Towneley. Even with 2 first team casualties missing the match, the U16's were able to field a stronger team than previously available. Harwood took the lead within three minutes when fine wing play by Rob Garvin allowed Matty Heap to slot home from close range at the back post. The second followed shortly after with Martin Trickett bundling the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble. Just before half time Harwood were awarded a free kick 25 yards out which was powerfully converted into the roof of the net by Jordan Marsden. In the second half Martin Trickett beat the offside trap to slot the ball past the advancing Hapton keeper. Man of the match was Scott Pilkington with an another awesome defensive display. The match finished 0-4, and having conceded 4 on the opening day of the season, the U16's have conceded just 5 league goals. The U16's move up to second in the league.

Having been knocked out of the Lancashire Cup the previous week, the Under 16's were looking to bounce back in the league. Facing a very determined Hapton team, Harwood took until close to half time to take the lead when a
long range effort by Jordan (Ah my leg) Marsden was parried by the goalkeeper only for Martin Trickett to slot home from close range. Harwood began to look comfortable until a speculative shot by Hapton rolled through the legs of Jonny (Massimo Taibi) Rushton in the Harwood goal. Late in the game Harwood were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. Having come on as a sub Rob Garvin stepped up to and spectacularly beat the Hapton Keeper. Final Result Harwood 2 Hapton 1 and the Under 16's move up to 3rd in the league. Next week sees Harwood play Hapton away

The season finally kicked off for the Under 16's and how they wished it hadn't. Fielding a team that had only 4 starting players from the previous season, the Under 16's were soundly beaten 0-4 by a very organised Oswaldtwistle side, with three of the goals created by long balls over the Harwood defence. To rub salt into the wound the referee's man of the match was former Harwood player "Wilky".

What a difference a week makes as the Under 16's made up for their opening day defeat with a convincing 4-0 win over Brunlea. Fine Wing play by Rob Garvin resulted in two well taken goals by Matty Heap. Matty returned the favour by setting up a goal for Rob Garvin with Martin "The Trickster" Trickett bagging the forth and claiming the referees man of match. Jon "Beadle" Bartley was the Managers man of the match.

Spurred on by their convincing win the previous week, The Under 16's began their Under 16 F.A. Competition with a resounding 4-1 win over Cumbrian outfit Black Combe Casuals. Persistence was the order of the day as Harwood battled for a goal despite overwhelming possession. Harwood eventually took the lead through Danny Johnson after being set up by Martin Trickett. Harwood continued to apply pressure but conceded a goal after the defence failed to clear the ball. Martin Trickett continued to trouble the Black Combe Defence with his strong runs and was finally rewarded with a goal early in the second half making it 2-1 to Harwood. Black Combe then had a good 10 minute spell with Harwood Keeper Jonny Rushton being forced into making a fantastic diving save. Harwood came under further pressure when Joe Tomlinson was forced off with a leg injury. Cue the long awaited reurn of Jordan Marsden and a switch in formation to 3-5-2. After a seven month lay off with a broken leg, Marsden added extra pace and strength to the Harwood Attack. Within five minutes of his return, Marsden picked the ball up just inside the visitors half and after skipping a couple of challenges rifled a 25 yard shot into the top of the visitors net to make it 3-1. Not wanting to tempt fate, Marsden was immediately substituted and Harwood again switched formation back to 4-4-2. Man of the match Danny Johnson added a second and Harwood's forth after breaking into the oppositions area. With just seconds remaining, Johnson failed to get his hat-trick after blasting over from 20 yards