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LAURA WINS MISS
WIRRAL AT BIRKENHEAD SHOPPING CENTRE
HOLLYOAKS star Gemma Merna
and a former Miss Liverpool were on hand to crown a new Miss Wirral
at a busy Birkenhead shopping centre. 1st time beauty contest entrant Laura Stokoe of Stanley Road in
Hoylake got the surprise of her life when she was crowned Miss
Wirral 2014 in front of a bumper crowd at Pyramids Shopping Centre
on Saturday, 27 September 2014.
Laura was 1 of just 10 girls out
of an original 32 from across the region who were short-listed for
the prestigious final round of the competition. "This is
the first time in my life I've ever entered anything like this. I
thought I was lucky enough to even make it to the final, but I never
for one moment expected to win," said the delighted
23 year old student.
One person who was not a bit surprised when she took the crown was
boyfriend James Swainston, who travelled from Leeds specially to
support his girl. "She is gorgeous inside and out. I
just knew she'd win." said James, who works as a project
manager.
Laura's mum, Christine, a GP, was also there to see her daughter don
the winner's sash. She said:- "I'm really proud of her. We all
are. It's been a fabulous day for Laura and all the girls."
Warm summer sunshine blessed the dazzling parade of young women as
they each demonstrated their individual sense of style in a
colourful fashion show, before donning majestic gowns for the final
line-up on the outdoor Pyramids centre catwalk.
The crowd cheered on the girls as
every entrant impressed the panel of judges led by competition
organiser Laura Seymour of Heswall-based Frame Model and Casting
Agency. Laura said:- "I'm thrilled that the Wirral has turned
up trumps today. Local people and families shopping here at the
Pyramids have really got behind the competition and the girls have
done their utmost to look truly glamorous. It's been so tough having
to choose between them, there is barely a hair to split these
entrants. We would award them all top prize if we could."
Also on the judging panel were
Hollyoaks soapstar Gemma Merna, who plays Carmel McQueen in the
popular Channel Four soap, former Miss Liverpool, Anita White, and
Commercial Director for Pyramids Shopping Centre, Derek Millar.
Derek said:- "It has been a great afternoon. We were
especially grateful that so many people from our local community
turned out to support the girls. The crowd here has been tremendous
and every single one of the entrants was truly beautiful."
Compere for the final was former
Brookside star Suzanne Collins, who agreed the judges had a tough
task choosing between the girls. She said:- "Everyone could
see they had all worked so hard, choosing their outfits and hair
dos. Every one of them looked just beautiful and they can all be so
proud."
Laura, who wore a long azure blue gown for the final, is a student
at Leeds Metropolitan University where she is in the final year of
training to be a primary school teacher. She said:- "Though I
am studying away from home, I can't wait to return to the Wirral. I
love it here. Everyone is so friendly and at ease with one another
and that was the same in this competition. It was really great
meeting the other girls, we all got along so well and supported each
other. This has been a really fun, friendly experience for me."
As well as the overall winner's title, including a prize package
worth £1,000 and the potential for further opportunities in the
world of modelling, the judges also awarded runner's up bouquets to
fourth placed Margaret Saunders, aged 16, 3rd placed Jessica
Kimberley, 20, and 2nd placed Amy Whitfield, 16.
A prize for the entrant with most
unique personal style went to Laura Armitage, 23, of Hoylake, who
wowed the judges with an emerald green silk ensemble and classically
elegant pinned up hairstyle.
Judge, Gemma Merna, said the
competition was amazing. She said:- "The Wirral has done
itself proud. These girls are all so lovely and have such confidence
and poise. They're a credit to the entire community."
Local personality Anita White, who
was twice crowned Miss Liverpool and went on to establish a
successful modelling career, said:- "I agree, it has been such
a difficult task for us as judges, and a tough decision having to
select a winner from such an impressive line up. They've all worn
the right thing and they've all said exactly the right thing when we
have spoken to them. In the end though we had to pick a winner and Laura is a perfect
choice. She has just the right ethos we were looking for to
represent this wonderful community of the Wirral."
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Karen Potter
Craven Minor JFL
Results Week Ending 28 September
2014
Under 11 Premiership
Redgate White 0-1 S&A Red
Burscough 1-1 Maghull Youth
Report:- Formby JSC White 2-1 Southport FC
Juniors
IN another fascinating game in the Premiership, both teams went into
the game sharing the top spot and as always the game was played like
a Merseyside Derby.
It was Southport FC who turned up
in the 1st half and they dominated the midfield in that period and
always looked as if they had an extra player and were allowed way
too much time and space. It was only great goalkeeping from David
Meadow in the Formby goal that kept the score down to 1-0 to at half
time.
Formby came flying out the traps
in the second half. They were first to most balls, won most tackles
and created numerous chances. 2 goals from a Harry Forsyth free kick
and a real poacher's goal from Tom Harrison, who followed up a great
save from the Southport keeper, put Formby ahead. Tom was a constant
threat in the 2nd half with a phenomenal pace.
The 2nd half performance from
Formby was really impressive with Man of the Match Jack Lemmens
taking control in midfield, but every player was outstanding in that
2nd half, from the keeper to Tom Harrison & Dan Griffin up front.
Under 11 Championship
Hesketh Colts 0-6 S&A Blue
Crosby Stuart 9-1 Redgate Yellow
Formby JSC Black 4-1 Phoenix
Trinity Blue 3-3 Formby Athletic
Under 12 Premiership
Hesketh Colts 8-0 Formby Athletic
Birkdale United 1-2 Town Green
Trinity White 0-9 Altown United
Under 12 Championship
Redgate Rovers 3-6 Mitch Green
S&A Amateurs 3-2 S&B Red
Ormskirk 2-2 Southport FC Juniors
Formby JSC Black 8-0 Phoenix
Under 13
No fixtures
Under 14
S&A Amateurs 2-7 Southport FC Juniors
Hesketh Colts 5-3 Redgate Rovers
Southport Trinity 0-5 Birkdale Black
Birkdale United 5-2 Formby JSC
Under 15
The Hares 3-2 Redgate Rovers
Formby JSC 2-0 Southport FC Juniors
Southport Trinity 3-2 Birkdale United
Under 16
Redgate Green 0-9 Hesketh Colts
Under 17 / 18 Premiership
No fixtures
Under 17 / 18 Championship
No fixtures
Fixtures Week Ending 5 October 2014
Under 11 Trisconi Cup
Formby JSC White v S&A Red
Maghull Youth v Redgate White
Trinity White v Formby Athletic
Southport FC Juniors v Redgate Yellow
Hesketh Colts v Birkdale United
S&A Blue v Burscough
Formby JSC Black v Trinity Blue
Under 12 John Disley Cup
Formby JSC Black v Hesketh Colts
Southport FC Juniors v Formby Rangers
Altown United v Redgate Rovers
Under 13 Tom Galvin Cup
Hesketh Colts v Southport Trinity
Southport FC Juniors v Birkdale R
Under 14 Anita Shaw Memorial Cup
Birkdale United v North Sefton
Under 15 Tom Owens Cup
Redgate Rovers v Formby JSC
Churchtown Athletic v Southport FC Juniors
The Hares v Southport Trinity
Under 16 Adam Bell Cup
Redgate Yellow v S&A Amateurs
Under 17 / 18 Geoff White Memorial
Cup
Town Green v Myers
AFC Liverpool v Hudson Celtic
S&A Amateurs v Hudson Rangers
Redgate Rovers v Birkdale United
Lydiate v Burscough Green
Formby JSC Black v Redgate Yellow
Birkdale Black v S&A Blue
Dynamo Rangers v Southport Trinity
Report:-
Salford
City Youth 2 Southport FC Youth 2 (aet Southport won 5-4 on
penalties)
Southport U18s made history and
continued their good form with victory over Salford City in the FA
Youth Cup 1st Qualifying Round. The game went the full distance
after goals from Adam McFarlane-Johnson and Cameron Dalgleish were
twice cancelled out in normal time, finishing 2-2 with Southport
coming through 5-4 after the spot kicks with Man of the Match Adam
Thorpe converting the decisive penalty.
Many expected little less than a
Salford victory under the lights of Moor Lane. This didn't affect
Southport in the slightest who took the game to their opponents from
the first whistle with Adam Thorpe a constant threat coming in and
creating from the left hand side of midfield.
It was Southport who took the lead
after a slide rule pass down the right hand side released winger
Adam McFarlane Johnson who calmly slotted past the oncoming Salford
keeper. Port almost added a second soon after when Cameron Dalgleish
went close with a left footed strike from outside the area. The
movement from Southport's attackers was causing the Salford defence
a real problem who looked susceptible to the through ball in behind.
Salford then began to pose a real
threat up front & Southport struggled to pick up the movement from
the Salford front 2. The inevitable then happened, a ball down the
left hand side caught the defence off guard and the cross was met by
Salford's number 10 who finished well with an accurate left foot
volley into the bottom corner. Both sides continued to press forward
with Paul Jewell firing wide as the visitors looked to regain the
lead. Southport continued to defend well against Salford's physical
presence up front and the score remained level at the break.
Southport made a slight tactical
change for the 2nd period changing to a 4-3-3 formation in an
attempt to cut out the space the host's strikers enjoyed in the 1st
half. This seemed to work immediately as Paul Jewell showed
discipline in front of the back 4 and marshalled the midfield.
Ben Hatch continued to press the
opposition back with his driving runs from midfield as Southport
looked the brighter of the two teams. Port then got their reward
when full back Jay Hall played a delightful 40 yard diagonal ball to
Cameron Dalgleish who controlled and finished unerringly into the
back of the Salford net. The size of the pitch then began to play a
part with cramp beginning to set in for both sides. This resulted in
the first change of the game which saw Dalgleish, who had been
excellent in leading the line, replaced by Jordan Haskell.
Despite Port's dominance, it didnt
take too long for Salford to get another equaliser. Skipper Sean
Weston looked to have won the ball just outside the area but the
referee thought otherwise and gave a free kick to Salford. The
result was not what Southport deserved as the delivery was met at
the far post and headed into the bottom left corner of Rainford's
goal.
Southport then made 2 more
changes in quick succession as they looked to find a winner. Jake
Young replaced the excellent Adam McFarlane Johnson down the right
who had provided a constant threat with his pace keeping Salford
pressed back. David Tallant also came on for the dynamic Ben Hatch
who, again, had caused havoc in midfield with his fantastic ability
to run at the defence with real power and purpose.
The changes added much needed
freshness to the game and although Southport were now without a
recognised striker, they still looked dangerous going forward and
Tallant prevented any option for Salford to find their strikers
easily. Port also remained resolute at the back as Vita Mbolokele
showed excellent fitness levels right to the end and dealt with the
physical and direct approach of the Salford strike force superbly.
The scores remained level after the 90 minutes so extra time
beckoned.
Both sides looked to tire but this
didn't stop Southport looking for the winner. This nearly came when
Jordan Haskell, who had been a thorn in the side of the Salford
defence whose tired legs couldn't keep track of his intelligent
movement between the lines. Haskell raced clear onto Conal
Gallagher's through ball but could only force a good save low down
to the keepers left. Salford could also have snatched it deep into
the 2nd half of the extra period. Weston made a fantastic challenge
on the edge of his area but was then blocked in his attempt to cover
the Salford number 9 who was one on one with Rainford who made a
magnificent fingertip save to deny a late winner.
So it was to penalties and the
drama was only just beginning. Southport must have gone into the
shootout with fond memories after their cup final victory last
season was decided by this method.
Gallagher, Young and Mbolokele all
converted successfully as did 4 of the 5 Salford players. This meant
as Paul Jewell stepped up to take Southport's final penalty, he knew
he needed to score to keep the game alive. A pressure penalty if
ever there was one. Salfords keeper guessed right and got a hand to
it, only to claw the ball back out. The referee and linesman
adjudged the ball to have crossed the line quite clearly, much to
the disappointment of the Salford players and substitutes who had
already began their celebrations on the pitch.
To sudden death and the Salford
taker had to compose himself as he stepped up. He struck the ball
high to Rainford's left, who guessed right and made a superb save.
Step up Adam Thorpe, the 16 year old had been Port's liveliest
player throughout the 120 minutes and it seemed fitting for him to
have the opportunity to win the game; cue the celebrations! He
didn't disappoint as the ball was slotted into the corner giving the
Salford keeper no chance at all. Southport progress to the 2nd
qualifying round for the first time in their history. The next tie
is away at Clitheroe, to be played the week commencing 6 October
2014.
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