MALVERN United entertained second-placed Bredon Colts in their first game of 2005 and it was all action.

MALVERN UNITED U16S 1, BREDON COLTS U16S 1

Bredon attacked from the kick-off and United keeper Alex Jenkins was called into service, tipping the first shot of the match over the bar. Dom Portman had to marshal his defence to ensure no advantage was gained from the resultant corner and force play back into the Bredon half.

United played with purpose and put together some good attacking moves. In the 25th minute a long pass from Andy Woodward found Tom Tandurella who strode through the Bredon defence to fire past the diving keeper.

As Bredon pressed forward fine defensive play from Andy Woodward, Dave Ash, Dom Portman and Craig Baker ensured United kept the lead at the break.

United kept up the pressure in the second half with Tom Tandurella, Zac Blood, Andy Nolan, Scott Roberts and Liam Hartford all coming agonisingly close.

A long clearance up field was gathered in by Bredon's Will Clayton who forced his way through United's defence to grab the equaliser.

Man of the match was shared between Scott Roberts and Dom Portman.

WELLAND JUNIORS U16S 3, MOSTYN RANGERS 0

WELLAND sought to avenge their recent cup exit and start their new year with a victory over their Kidderminster opponents and that's just what they did.

The opening 20 minutes was a scrappy affair with both sets of players looking out of sorts.

The home side went close on numerous occasions but it was a deflected strike by the lively Joel Hobbs that rattled the back of the net shortly before half time.

After the break Welland's midfield completely dominated play and it was no surprise when Guy Habbitts left Mostyn's defence standing before laying the ball off to Joe Waldron, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, having been on the pitch for just 30 seconds.

Ten minutes later and substitute Josh Fernie drilled a left foot shot from 20 yards into the bottom left hand corner of the net for Welland's third.

Despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes after left back, Mark Hopcutt left the field with a neck injury Welland continued to press forward but could not add to their score.

Man of the match, sponsored by Butlers Health & Fitness, was Richard Pitt.

NEWTOWN SPORTS U16S 3,

SALFORD RANGERS U16S 3

NEWTOWN started the new year with a well deserved draw but with a bit more luck on their side could have had the game sealed by half time.

Salford opened the scoring but it wasn't long before David Reynolds's cross was neatly headed home by Nik Zikking. Newtown were combining well in midfield a set up ample scoring opportunities. Salford only had one more attack before the break and scored after another miss kick allowed them to take the lead. With in minutes Newtown were back level when David Reynolds was the provider for Lee Jenkins to side-foot home.

In the second half Salford were the more menacing and if not for two outstanding displays from defenders Tom Juniper and Joe Ball, whose overhead kick miraculously cleared off the goal line, Salford could easily have added to their tally.

Newtown's midfield of Tom Chadney and Chris Packer played well throughout and challenged with accuracy and strength. Salford's late own goal lead to the draw but Newtown will need to improve in certain areas to get a result against Welland next week.

Newtown's man of the match was Lee Jenkins

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U14s 4,

LYPPARD RANGERS REALITY 0

NEWTOWN Sports Colts started the New Year with a home Mercian League fixture against Lyppard Reality.

Playing against a stiff breeze, the Colts took their time getting in to their stride, so White, Roskams and Scullion had to be on their toes in the Colts' defence; although Johnson in goal was rarely troubled. The Colts midfield of Edwards, Powell, Allison, Caffull and Jaye found it difficult to retain any quality possession, but the Colts managed to take the lead within 10 minutes. The energetic Allison found Crane who forced his way forward and sent a tantalising cross for Buckle to finish. The Colts failed to capitalise on a great start and were frustrated by an enthusiastic Lyppard team.

With the wind in their favour in the second half, the Colts looked more in control and soon increased their lead when White headed a fine goal from an Edwards corner. Allison grabbed another through sheer persistence, and Crane set-up Allison again, for a fine strike from the edge of the box. Humphries in the Lyppard goal pulled-off some great saves from Crane and Allison to deny the Colts further goals.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 5,

WORCESTER RAIDERS 2

THE New Year provides an opportunity to reflect on the performance of the team.

Wanderers are enjoying their best period of football since becoming a full-sized squad in 2003. Since November, they have strengthened passing in the midfield and defence, complementing the energy of the front players. There is a growing confidence that will be of value as the team move into the second half of the season.

The Christmas break has brought the team back refreshed and refreshing in their approach to football, which made them a pleasure to watch on a very cold Sunday afternoon. Whittle in midfield was very good with excellent passes and runs. A near certain goal from Raiders was saved off the line by defender Titmus and provided some real excitement. Raiders dominated the first ten minutes but Wanderers slowly took charge of the game, in very blustery conditions, through good team play. Goals from Asquith and Mayo were just rewards for hard work. Josh Ball scored with a lovely header and Harwood scored twice.

KAYS BROADHEATH 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U14S 2

THE Juniors travelled to the Cinderella Ground to take on Kays Broadheath.

In a pulsating first half, Newtown were a constant threat to the Kays' goal with Ollie Lean, Danny Robinson and James McCann all in good form. The defence of Doyle, Puffett, Phillips and May were playing with confidence and didn't look troubled. It was, though, Kays Broadheath who took the lead, when from a throw-in, their striker controlled the ball well, turned quickly and placed the ball beyond the unsighted keeper. Newtown pushed forward from the restart and soon Josh Butler picked up the ball just outside the box, skipped passed two Kays defenders and fired into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Newtown found themselves behind again when Kays scored after Newtown failed to clear the ball.

The second half saw Newtown pin Kays into their own half for long periods with Josh Butler outstanding. With the clock ticking down, McCann broke into the box, shot, the keeper could only parry and Butler put the ball into the open net to make the final score 2-2.

Newtown's man of the match was Josh Butler.

The team are sponsored by Wells Joinery Limited.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12S 6,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12S 2

NEWTOWN maintained their unbeaten start to the season with this victory over the Wanderers.

On a wind swept Lower Howsell it was the Juniors who dominated early on as Wanderers had to rely on some fine goalkeeping to keep them in the game. It was an excellent goal that broke the deadlock when Kyte met Mallett's corner and powered his header home. Wanderers gained a foothold in the match when three quarters of the Juniors defence played offside and one didn't. This allowed James Herd the time and space to slot home an equaliser.

With both sides striving to take the lead it was the Juniors when Bannister challenged the keeper for the ball and when it broke free he was on hand to tap home.

The second half got off to an explosive start, against the wind Newtown passed their way upfield and Puffet made no mistake with an angled drive. A minute later Juniors scored a fourth when again intricate passing set Bannister free and he found the back of the net with a rasping drive. Wanderers pressed forward and whilst the Newtown defence dallied Gregory robbed the defender, cut inside and fired into the roof of the net.

Both sides had chances to score further goals as Newtown wasted several good opportunities whilst Freeman in the Juniors goal was called upon to make smart saves. Will Watling now produced a sublime piece of skill to score Juniors fifth, a floated Parker free kick was flicked past three defenders by Watling who followed it up with a superb volley into the net. Newtown completed the scoring with five minutes to go when Bannister notched his hat-trick.

Man of the match was Matthew Bannister.

WORCESTER RAIDERS EAGLES 2,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS COLTS U10S 3

THIS was a hard fought, physical game and both teams did well to keep the pace up in hail and cold conditions.

The Malvern defence held off a stong Eagles attack for most of the first half, with some good saves from goalkeeper Pete Shepherd but conceded one goal just before the break. Harry Tawse in midfield played an important role throughout the match, managing to get possession and get play up to the opposing box.

Soon after the half time break, Stan Mason managed to take a neat goal from a goalmouth scramble, but only minutes later Eagles went ahead again. But Joel Wright, Brent Gibbs, and Josh Seabourne never gave up and worked really well together, with Brent Gibbs scoring twice in rapid succession.

Eagles kept up their pressure too, but Brandon Hudson, Max Howie, and Myles Cunningham all produced a solid counter, maintaining the Wanderers lead until the final whistle.