WITHOUT a doubt, the two best teams in the Mercian U16s division met in Welland's final encounter of the season with a guaranteed runners-up spot up for grabs.

WELLAND JUNIORS U16S 3, PEOPLETON 3

Both teams played with total commitment and plenty of skill and whilst it was the visitors who scored first after 15 minutes, it was the hosts who were dominating play, creating a number of unconverted chances.

Within minutes of the visitors taking the lead, the unstoppable Russell Alderson struck back with a powerful volley from outside the area which the keeper got a hand to it, but could not prevent it crossing the line, bringing the teams level at half-time.

After the break it was all Welland, who restricted the visitors to only an occasional counter-attack, which was effectively dealt with by what is arguably the best home defence in the league.

The home side were winning individual battles all over the pitch with every player totally committed to the cause, so it was no surprise when winger Joel Hobbs smashed a stinging shot past the visiting keeper to shake the back of the net.

Some ten minutes later and a scuffed shot wrong footed the home keeper and dribbled over the line for an equaliser. The battle continued with Welland hitting the bar, post and the referee before captain Joe Waldron chipped the ball up into the area for Joel Hobbs to head his second of the afternoon and score what was surely a well-deserved winner.

However, it was not to be when, with only two minutes remaining, the visitors made one last surge forward and the ball ended up in the back of the net to ensure the honours and the points were shared.

Welland now have to wait on the results of championship rivals Bredon, who they recently beat 4-0, before knowing whether they finish top or runners-up.

Man-of-the-match, sponsored by Butlers Health & Fitness, was Joel Hobbs.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U14S 3,

KAYS BROADHEATH 2

NEWTOWN Sports Juniors entertained Kays Broadheath in this Mercian League U14s encounter.

The first-half was completely dominated by the Juniors. From the start Newtown quickly got into their passing game. At times, the ball was pinging around as if on a pinball machine. The passing and moving was excellent and Kays found it difficult to defend against. The main architects of this were Danny Robinson, Olly Lean and Lee Gittins. It was from one of these quick-passing movements that Newtown took the lead. The ball was moved quickly from left to right, Danny Robinson threaded a shoulder-high ball into the box and Lee Gittins dived to head the ball neatly passed the advancing Broadheath keeper.

Josh Butler was in good form and held the ball well and his distribution was excellent. Newtown scored their second from a Josh Butler corner, which was nodded on at the near post by Ian Puffett and neatly finished by a looping backward header from Niall Phillips. Newtown's defence remained untroubled. Richard Doyle was a tower of strength and Max Sharpe put in one of his best performances of the season. As the half-time whistle approached, Newtown won another corner. After a melee in the box, the ball fell to Josh Butler who placed it past the keeper to make the half-time score 3-0.

The second half started with many of the Newtown players' minds still in the dressing room. This allowed Kays to dominate the first 20 minutes of the half, scoring twice to make the score 3-2. The Juniors managed to raise their game and despite a number of scares, hold on to take the game 3-2.

This was a significant result for the Juniors, as it was the first time they had beaten Kays since starting 11-a-side football some three seasons ago.

Newtown's man-of-the-match was Max Sharpe.

The team are sponsored by Wells Joinery Limited.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U14S 2,

DROITWICH SPA 1

NEWTOWN Sports Colts dug deep to claim a narrow victory against an improved Droitwich Spa side in a midweek fixture.

Playing with a stiff breeze, Powell, Caffull, Jaye, Allison and Edwards had all of the possession but could not string enough passes together to create any chances, for Baker and Crane up front. Droitwich frustrated Newtown and gained in confidence as the half wore on. With half-time approaching, Crane managed to break the deadlock, after Allison broke clear and his saved shot fell to Crane to fire home.

In the second-half, the Colts played better against the wind, though they repeatedly got caught offside as Droitwich pushed up. Droitwich then managed to equalise from a corner which Newtown failed to clear, and the returned ball was nodded in. Newtown fought back, with Caffull, Allison and Crane all denied by some fine saves. However, Allison did manage to grab a late winner when again he broke clear and cracked the ball into the net.

Droitwich hit a post in the dying minutes as Newtown clung on in what was their most uninspired game of the season.

LYPPARD REALITY 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U14S 4

NORMAL service returned as Newtown Sports Colts U14s beat Lyppard Reality last Sunday.

The midfield of Powell, Caffull, Jaye, Allison and Newell passed the ball well and set up several half-chances for Buckle and Crane. It was Buckle who opened the scoring following great work by Newell on the right and Crane in the middle. Lyppard could have equalised shortly after but for the save of the season from Johnson, who clawed the ball away from what looked a certain goal. Newtown continued to press and could have scored several times before Allison slotted home a penalty for hand-ball. Crane also found the back of the net with a beautifully taken effort, but it was disallowed for an infringement.

Lyppard fought back in the second-half, but Allison thumped home a third with Newtown looking in command. Edwards gave Newtown some width on the right and forced several corners before Lyppard grabbed a goal back following a free-kick. Allison grabbed his hat-trick with another great strike to settle the nerves and ensure the win for Newtown.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U13S 2, HADLEY 0

THE return league match against Hadley was played on Wednesday at Victoria Park and, as in the first away match, played two weeks ago, Wanderers won 2-0.

It was however, a much closer game in which Hadley could have scored a number of times.

Wanderers played an excellent first-half and had control of the game most of the time. Good midfield play by Loader, Whittle, Wren and Asquith was rewarded with a cross from Asquith to Howie, who neatly slotted the ball past the keeper in the 15th minute. Strong defence was required from Webb, Ball and Banks. Bottomley was playing in goal and had a very good game, playing with confidence, against tough opposition.

Hadley came out in the second-half strongly attacking Wanderers for the first period. A break from defence, with a cross to Howie in the right-hand corner, was chipped over to Asquith who took the second goal and sealed the match.

The position then was one of defence in which Whittle, Banks and Webb held the line. Hadley had nine corners in the match, seven in the second-half.

Three very valuable points were gained and Wanderers now lie second in the league table.

BROMYARD TOWN U13 GIRLS 3, FC PHOENIX 4

BROMYARD U13 girls lost out in two close back-to-back games at home against FC Phoenix in the Mercian League, ironically by the same score on both occasions.

Due to a fixture pile-up Bromyard and Hereford's FC Phoenix agreed to play the second game after the first match had finished.

In the first game, Bromyard put behind them their recent dismal form and by half-time were leading Phoenix by 3-1. Bromyard's scorers were captain Clare Almond and Tasha Merris with two. The second arguably one of Town's best of the season.

The second-half, however, was a different issue. The turning point of the game was when Phoenix were awarded a free-kick for a back pass to the Bromyard keeper. Whilst Town felt aggrieved, the referee was in no doubt and from the resulting free-kick, Phoenix scored. Heads immediately seemed to drop in the Town defence whereas Phoenix were given new heart.

More goals followed for Phoenix, who eventually ran out winners by 4-3.

In the second game Bromyard needed to get off to a good start to try and quickly erase the outcome of the first game. This was not to be their day though as Phoenix this time took the lead.

At the start of the second period, Town went further behind. To Bromyard's credit they did not capitulate and whilst Phoenix added another two goals, a superb hat-trick by Clare Almond brought Town back to trail by just one goal.

With seconds left Bromyard nearly snatched a point as Phoenix were forced to clear a Tasha Merris goal-bound effort off the line.

Whilst Town may now languish bottom but one in the table, manager Dean James will take some heart from good performances from Hattie Huckle, Micky James, Charlie Lloyd and recent convert to the goalkeeper's jersey, Sarah Hoffman, who continues to improve with each game.

WELLAND JUNIORS U12s 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12S 7

THE Juniors completely overwhelmed their opponents and emerged comfortable victors.

It was all Juniors from the first whistle and they spurned several good chances before Turner opened the scoring on five minutes with a shot in off the post. Watling had six attempts before finding the target to make it two with a cool lob over the keeper. Bannister intercepted a goal- kick and coolly slotted home before Parker received a short corner and curled the ball into the top corner.

More chances came and went with the Welland keeper working overtime to keep the score down, but a fine run and cross from Carlen set up Bannister to make it five at half-time.

A complete reshuffle at half-time disrupted the Juniors briefly but still they created chances Puffett thwarted several times by the keeper and shots were well blocked or went wide. The reintroduction of Watling saw two more goals with close-range efforts.

With two minutes remaining, the Welland winger won the ball in midfield and let fly with a 30-yard effort that sailed on the wind and dipped below the crossbar for a consolation goal. This was to be keeper Freeman's only touch of the ball but failed to dampen an accomplished Juniors' display.

Man-of-the-match was Eric Carlen.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS COLTS U10S 1, WORCESTER RAIDERS HAWKS 3

MALVERN were unlucky not to score more in this well-paced game, with Stan Mason and Joel Wright putting plenty of pressure on goal throughout.

In the first-half, Josh Seabourne and Myles Cunningham defended well against a strong attack, but the visitors managed to find their mark three times.

In the second half, Pete Shepherd and Harry Tawse were injured after making their usual reliable contributions and Malvern were down to six players. This sparked renewed energy and determination and Brent Gibbs' sterling efforts were finally rewarded with a powerful goal taken into the top right-hand corner. A second nearly followed but he hit the woodwork after a great run. Max Howie worked hard in defence and Josh Seabourne was effective in goal, and there were no goals scored against the home team in the second-half, although they were just not able to convert more of their own good attacking moves into goals.