OLDBURY Park Tigers Gold Under 12s look like having to settle for runners-up place in the Mercian Festival Junior League for the fourth season running.

They lost a big title decider 3-1 to arch-rivals Malvern Town Wanderers which effectively sealed the title for the hosts.

Malvern started better and were quicker to the ball than Tigers with Oldbury giving Wanderers too much time and space.

The town side took the lead after 10 minutes and were denied a second goal by Oldbury 'keeper Ross Williams who made three good saves.

Wanderers made it 2-0 with 21 minutes gone and Williams pulled off another fantastic save only for a third to hit the net before the interval.

The second-half continued in the same way with Malvern on top early on and man-of-the-match Williams performing more heroics. Oldbury gradually got into the game through Jordan Murton and Charlie Wosley in midfield with Lewis Platt adding pace up front.

Tom Baker missed a good chance to pull one back but, with 12 minutes left, James Day headed home a corner for 3-1.

Platt went close with a shot just wide and James Day forced a good save from the Town 'keeper, while Max Price hit the post.

Malvern finished worthy winners but Oldbury gave them a game in the second-half.

Oldbury did win a double header with Worcester Raiders 9-0 and 4-0 though.

In the first game, Tigers were on top from the start and went in front after four minutes through Day.

Further goals were scored by Baker, Murton, Day and Curtis James.

The second period followed a similar pattern with goals from Ryan Griffin, Platt, James and Baker.

Baker put in a fine display on the right wing for man-of-the-match. The defence was well marshalled by Steven Gourley and Ryan Gwilliam.

The second game was closer as Raiders battled well and created several chances only to be denied by Williams.

Tigers' defence of Gwilliam, Gourley, Johnny Allen and Andrew Woodyatt were in good form.

They opened the scoring on 10 minutes through Platt and Murton added a second before half-time.

Raiders were again repelled by Williams and his defence in the second-half with Platt and Day scoring at the other end.

n Worcester Raiders then ended their season with a 2-0 defeat to Newtown Sports Juniors despite a fine display.

Raiders must wonder how they lost after missing several chances and coping well with the wind against them in the opening half.

However, Newtown squeezed home a goal shortly before the interval with Raiders responding with several changes.

They dominated the next half with strong displays from Joe Fowles and Aaron Davis in central midfield.

They chased every ball and harassed the opponents into errors with the lively Louis Warburton making menacing runs down the right.

Tom Handley glanced a chance narrowly wide after Sam Holmes was fed by Luke Trainer to cross following Davis' superb tackle.

Holmes crashed an acrobatic overhead kick against the bar but as Raiders pushed more players forward, Newtown counter-attacked to score a second goal.

Raiders' man-of-the-match was shared by Tom Haigh and Fowles.