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Open Age v AFC Swan — Sat, 22 Aug 2026
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FT: Open Age 3-4 AFC Swan (Loss)

GK: Thomas Mason
Team: Shane Craig, Colin Flynn, Owen Campbell, Nima Naseri, Reece Cansfield, Kiiam Higham-Moran, Regan Rhodes, Charlie George, Ben Hitchman, Sean Hughes
Subs: Harry Dawson, Ryan McCrae, Iliace El Hasnaouy, Hamza Zriouil

Scorers: Hitchman (2), Rhodes
Man of the Match: Owen Campbell

Submitter: Tom Furnival
Managers: Antony Hathaway & Tom Furnival

Sefton OA entered the penultimate game of pre-season with an earlier kick-off against AFC Swan, with managers Ant Hathaway and Tom Furnival emphasising the importance of making a strong start.

The message was clear, and Sefton responded well, putting the visitors under pressure from the opening stages. That early pressure was rewarded when Regan Rhodes calmly found the top-left corner with a composed finish to give Sefton the lead.

AFC Swan responded and levelled the contest from the penalty spot. Goalkeeper Tom Mason was unfortunate not to keep the effort out, despite getting a hand to the penalty.

Sefton reacted instantly, however, with some excellent work down the left-hand side. Neat combination play created the opportunity for Ben Hitchman to tap home and continue his fine pre-season form in front of goal.

Sefton went into the break 2-1 ahead, with changes made at half-time as both managers continued to manage minutes during pre-season.

AFC Swan came out strongly after the restart and restored parity to make it 2-2, but Sefton once again responded positively. Rhodes delivered an excellent free-kick cross into a dangerous area, allowing Hitchman to finish smartly and put Sefton back in front.

The visitors refused to go away and levelled the game for a third time after winning possession from a loose ball before finishing well.

AFC Swan then completed the comeback shortly afterwards, with a spell of pressure eventually resulting in a well-worked goal from a cross to make it 4-3.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Sefton to take from the afternoon. It was a much-improved performance from last week’s outing, with good attacking moments and plenty of encouraging signs as the squad continues to gel and the new players build their understanding with one another.

With just one pre-season fixture remaining, Sefton will look to take those positives into the final stages of preparation for the new season.

Over 45s v Maghull FC Vets — Fri, 21 Aug 2026
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FT: Over 45s 1-3 Maghull FC Vets (Loss)

GK: Gary Brookes
Team: Thomas King, Chris Long, Billy McCoy, Mike Shannon, Ste Byrne, Joe McNally, Jamie Byron, John Martin, Paul Jordan, Steven McNulty
Subs: Stephen Archibald, Andy Highton, Robbie Halpin, Liam Highton, Craig McDougall, Paul Moody

Scorers: Archibald
Man of the Match: Gary Brookes

Submitter: Gary McQueen
Manager: Gary McQueen

Our first game on hard and bobbly pitch against a lively Maghull team with 3 games under their belt. We were chasing to start with but then got into the game, when a hopeful punt took a horrible bounce past the keeper 1-0. 
This was followed by a left foot curler to the top corner 2-0. Three subs went on for injuries, and Archy slotted with his first touch following good possession from defence and through the midfield. HT 2-1, and three more subs on.
A scrambled goal gave them a 3-1 lead. 
We continued playing some nice football, good possession and pressure but were unable to add to our goal tally, and definitely finished the stronger.
It was a good run out for a mixed squad with some new additions. The midfield worked tirelessly but mom goes to Gary Brookes who made some top saves that must've run into double figures!

Over 35s v Chester Nomads FC Vets — Sat, 15 Aug 2026
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FT: Over 35s 2-3 Chester Nomads FC Vets (Loss)

GK: Gary Brookes
Team: Mike Stuart, Paul McKendrick, Kevin McDougall, Mike Young, Adam Millington, Jamie Hay, Carl Brennand, Neil Storey, David Stafford, Eamon Price
Subs: Jay Shannon, Joe McNally, Chris Long

Scorers: Stafford D, McNally

Submitter: Ged Kinsella
Manager: David Stafford

Not the best day at the office - shambles at Chesterfield, causing a late move to Drummond Rd, to a hard, bare, pitch, with poor markings etc., setting the tone for the day, the focus for the management team being getting the game on for the travelling lads from Chester, rather than a comfortable pre-match team focus.
We won't dwell on the negative elements of the game, resulting in the ref needing to ask players from both sides to cool down - but more the effort from all involved to twice try to come from behind, firstly David Stafford scoring a brilliant 25 yard free kick just before the break to go in even 1-1 - Chester had scored first by latching on to a misplaced cross ball in defence and the forward finished well.  
A second half, that we hope will leave memory as soon as possible, saw us chasing a 3-1 deficit, Chester scoring two goals in the first twenty mins, a volley from distance that gave Gary no chance and one less unavoidable, a header from a free kick. David Stafford's men didn't give up and continued in a positive formation, David releasing Joe McNally to run through and pull one back, but despite the incredible effort it just wasn't enough, the game finished 2-3 and not the start to the season that we all hoped for.
Thanks to Tom and his Chester team for their understanding re the pitch and post match.

Open Age v River FC — Sat, 15 Aug 2026
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FT: Open Age 1-6 River FC (Loss)

GK: Thomas Mason
Team: Ben Bradley, Joe Clifton, Danny Draper, Chris Murphy, Reece Cansfield, Gary Lambert, Regan Rhodes, Sean Hughes, Kiiam Higham-Moran, Ben Hitchman
Subs: Carl Morgan, Aaron Cummins, Charlie George

Scorers: Lambert

Submitter: Tom Furnival
Managers: Tom Furnival & Antony Hathaway

Sefton’s third pre-season friendly ended in a difficult afternoon against River, who stepped in at late notice following a last-minute cancellation.

Sefton started slowly and were punished early on as River broke quickly on the counter-attack to take the lead. However, Sefton gradually grew into the game, beginning to move the ball well and create opportunities.

The pressure eventually told as midfielder Gary Lambert produced a calm and composed finish to bring Sefton level. A superb pass from left-back Joe Clifton landed perfectly into Lambert’s path, presenting the midfielder with the ideal opportunity, which he calmly dispatched.

Sefton then enjoyed a spell of pressure, creating several chances and looking unlucky not to take the lead. Despite that, River proved clinical at the other end, regaining their advantage before adding another to head into half-time 3-1 ahead.

With plenty of pre-season minutes to manage across the squad, changes were made at the break, giving Sefton the opportunity to regroup and go again.

Sefton started the second half much better and, with a change in formation, created numerous chances and looked far more threatening. Unfortunately, the finishing touch was missing, with opportunities going begging.

River, meanwhile, were ruthless in front of goal. They made the most of their chances and added another three goals to complete the scoring and bring an off day for Sefton to a disappointing conclusion.

It’s certainly a game Sefton won’t want to dwell on, but there are plenty of lessons to take from it as preparations continue.

With the new season now just three weeks away, there’s still work to be done. Sefton go again next week as pre-season continues to build towards the campaign ahead. 🔵⚫️

Over 35s v Jawbone — Sat, 8 Aug 2026
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FT: Over 35s 5-0 Jawbone (Win)

GK: Chris Long
Team: Carl Brennand, Craig McDougall, Kevin McDougall, Mike Stuart, Tony James, Adam Millington, Neil Storey, Mike Young, Karl Bergqvist, Jamie Hay
Subs: Shaun Chart, Ste Meadows, David Stafford

Scorers: Bergqvist (2), Hay, Millington (2)
Man of the Match: Karl Bergqvist

Submitter: Staffo
Manager: David Stafford

Great first preseason performance, the lads dominated from start to finish. 2 great strikes from outside the box by Millo and Berger with Jamie’s goal being the best of the lot, 12-13 pass build up with Meds squaring it for Jamie to slot. Defence solid, great to start with a clean sheet. 
MoM Berger just pips Millo and Mike Stuart

Open Age v Collegiate — Sat, 8 Aug 2026
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FT: Open Age 4-2 Collegiate (Win)

GK: Thomas Mason
Team: Shane Craig, Danny Draper, Josh Draper, Kiiam Higham-Moran, Ben Bradley, Sean Hughes, Gary Lambert, Regan Rhodes, Reece Cansfield, Ben Hitchman
Subs: Ryan McCrae, John McGunigle, Luke Pascoe, Jay Penny, Joel Sherwood

Scorers: Cansfield (2), Hitchman, Penny
Man of the Match: Reece Cansfield

Submitter: Tom Furnival
Manager: Tom Furnival

Sefton OA recorded a 4-2 victory over Collegiate in their second pre-season fixture, in an entertaining afternoon of football.

Sefton made the brighter start and took the lead through Reece Cansfield, who produced a superb strike after a sustained spell of pressure. Cansfield then doubled the advantage with his second of the afternoon.

Collegiate responded before the break, scoring twice to bring the game level at 2-2, with both sides making changes at half-time as they looked to build fitness and give valuable minutes to the squad.

The second half continued at a good tempo, with Collegiate threatening before the water break. Sefton then came out strongly from the restart and regained the lead through Ben Hitchman, who showed great composure to finish well.

Sefton added a fourth in impressive fashion, with a flowing team move involving a series of passes through the Collegiate defence. Jay Penny finished the move calmly, marking his debut with a well-taken goal.

Sefton OA 4-2 Collegiate

A positive second pre-season outing, with valuable minutes gained and plenty of encouraging signs ahead of the new season.

Open Age v Kingsford Larkin — Sat, 1 Aug 2026
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FT: Open Age 3-3 Kingsford Larkin (Draw)

GK: Thomas Mason
Team: Gary Lambert, Harry Dawson, Shane Craig, Kiiam Higham-Moran, Regan Rhodes, Ben Bradley, Reece Cansfield, Sean Hughes, Josh Draper, Ben Hitchman
Subs: John McGunigle, Jack Harrison, Joel Sherwood

Scorers: Craig, Hitchman (2)
Man of the Match: Reece Cansfield

Submitter: Antony Hathaway