Junior Soccer Scene ...

THE Glebe provided the perfect setting for an entertaining game between the fourth and fifth placed teams.

The visitors had beaten Welland earlier in the season and when they went two goals up after just six minutes a repeat looked on the cards. However, Welland often play their best football when their backs are against the wall and this match proved to be no different.

Within two minutes of going two behind the home team's captain, Joe Waldron pulled one back. Two minutes later the elusive Russell Alderson was brought down in Salford's penalty area and Martyn Smith stepped forward to take the resultant penalty, placing it beyond the keeper in the bottom left hand corner.

Welland increasingly dominated play and it wasn't long before a square pass by Martyn Smith on the left was brilliantly driven home by Josh Kirby on the edge of the area giving the home side the lead for the first time.

The second half continued in much the same vein but it was Welland who increasingly controlled the game and when Andy Smith's smartly taken throw in, half way into the visitors' half, found Russell Alderson, he didn't waste the opportunity scoring a well deserved goal.

Salford refused to give up and pulled one back with only minutes left but it was too little too late and Welland secured their third successive win.

Man of the match, sponsored by Jackie Smith, was Guy Habbitts.

MALVERN UNITED 3, PERSHORE TOWN U14s 2

VISITING Pershore went two up inside seven minutes in this Mercian League game at Sling Lane.

After several warnings from the referee it was no surprise when two Pershore players received red cards for foul and abusive language after just 12 minutes.

Although this unsettled United they kept to the task of playing football and were rewarded after half an hour when Andy Nolan drove the ball high into the penalty area for Dave Reynolds to head over the advancing keeper. One minute later and Nik Zikking went on a defence splitting run to fire hard and low, which the keeper could only parry to Dave Reynolds who equalised.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a Jim Lonsdale pass was met by Liam Harford who fired into the net only to be ruled offside. With the home team now settled they kept any Pershore attack under control with Gareth Atkinson marshalling the defence to make sure keeper Alex Jenkins was rarely troubled. United kept the pressure on right to the final minute when Lee Jenkins squared to Liam Harford, who calmly lobbed over the Pershore keeper and secure the well deserved points.

Man of the match was Liam Harford.

PEOPLETON JUNIORS U14s 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 1

A PENALTY shoot out could only separate the previous encounter between the League's top two so another tight match was expected.

After five minutes a through ball from Matt Bayer saw Shaun Carrey in acres of space on the right flank only to be thwarted by a fine save from the Peopleton keeper, but Tom White's quick reaction from the loose ball saw him finish exquisitely from 25 yards. The defensive trio of Kris Denslow, Matt Bayer and Michael Pearson pulled out all the stops to protect keeper Ashley Bennett who handled impeccably when called upon.

The second half saw the home side take the game to the visitors and the midfield of Matt Hopwood, Bruce Rogers, Scott Roberts and Tom White worked hard. Keeper Ashley Bennett kept his side in the game time after time with superb handling and fine reflexes. The front three of Luke Arnold, Zach Blood and Shaun Carrey were industrious but could not add to the one goal lead.

Man of the match, sponsored by Malvern Tree & Garden Services, was Scott Roberts.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U13s 4, INKBERROW EAGLES U13s 1

WANDERERS survived a fierce first half onslaught from the physical Inkberrow side to win comfortably by the end of this Mercian Elgar Junior League contest.

The home defence of Ted Grizzell, Chris Styles and Lloyd Merrick were in outstanding form and battled away to ensure that no goals were conceded by half time.

Although Inkberrow took the lead soon after the restart Wanderers soon replied. Luke Borton scored directly with a finely taken corner and then gave his team the lead with a powerful volley. Luke Butler and Max White surged forward from midfield, Calum Campbell headed a goal and then performed a neat one-two with Ryan Mansbridge in the penalty area to give him an easy tap in at the end of a tough match.

Malvern Town Wanderers are sponsored by Pole Elm Garage, Callow End.

NEWTOWN JUNIORS U12s 0,

KAYS BROADHEATH U12s 2

NEWTOWN Juniors played host to Kays Broadheath for the second time in three weeks.

However this game was a lot tighter than the previous meeting with few chances created. The first half ended goalless with neither keeper being tested.

The second half opened up a bit but it was Kays who began to get the upper hand being more determined and winning most of the loose balls in midfield. With Kays looking increasingly dangerous on the attack they took the lead 20 minutes into the second half. Jamie Lewis struck an unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner. As Newtown tried to respond to the goal they were caught out once again when Kays pounced onto a loose ball from the back and worked the ball into the box for Sam Roberts to powerfully strike past Spicer.

Newtown are at home again next Sunday to local rivals Malvern Town Wanderers.

Man of the match was Steve Gilks.

Newtown Juniors are sponsored by Wells Joinery.

WELLAND U12s 0, CLAINES U12s 0

THIS was a game high on effort and commitment from both sides but a hard bumpy pitch ensured that the quality of football was low and few chances were created.

Welland dominated the first half winning virtually everything in midfield. However, only a looping shot from Tom Pugh early on in the game threatened the Claines goal. Indeed despite being outplayed for most of the half Claines came closest to scoring following a goal mouth scramble in the Welland penalty area.

As the Welland midfield tired Claines started to dominate proceedings in the second half. They were unable to penetrate the excellent defensive play of McTernan, Graney, Allen, Haynes and Fain, although they did come close to scoring late on in the game when an in-swinging corner was touched onto the cross bar by Welland's reliable goal keeper Barton Mathews.

Man of the match was Eddie Haynes.

LYPPARD RANGERS JUNIORS 0,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U12s 5

NEWTOWN Sports Colts played one of their best games of the season against at Elbury Mount.

From the kick-off, the midfield of Milward, Caffull, Gath, Jaye and Edwards opened up the Lyppard defence to provide Twinberrow and Allison with several half chances. It was no surprise when the Colts scored the first goal when Allison laid the ball back to Gath whose shot evaded the keeper. Soon it was 2-0 when, following a fine flowing move, the ball was crossed by Edwards for Milward to rasp home. The Colts defence of Crane, Roskams and Elmes had to keep on their toes and some excellent keeping by Johnson thwarted any Lyppard efforts. The third goal came shortly before half-time when a midfield move was coolly finished off by Twinberrow.

In the second-half, Scullion, Buckle and Powell came on for the Colts as the pattern of play continued. Lyppard did enjoy more possession as the Colts tried to find the same form as the first-half. The Colts increased their lead when Allison's free-kick was deflected past the unsighted keeper, and Caffull rounded off the scoring with a fine header from a superb corner by Powell.

This was the best passing display of the season by the Colts, who are sponsored by Alan Gath Enigmatics.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U12s 2,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 0

NEWTOWN Sports Colts returned to league action and entertained local rivals Malvern Town Wanderers.

Straight from the kick-off, the Colts took the game to the Wanderers and enjoyed large amounts of the possession through the midfield of Powell, Caffull, Gath, Jaye and Edwards. The Colts pressure forced several corners, but despite some great deliveries the Colts rarely threatened White in the Wanderers goal. The Colts closest effort came from Powell shortly before half-time when he hit the bar with an angled shot.

In the second-half the Colts were dominant in possession allowing Crane, Roskams and Scullion to push forward. Twinberrow entered the fray, but an injury to Morse meant a swap in positions for the Wanderers seeing Morse going in goal. With the clock ticking down Milward and Elmes came on for the Colts as they attacked relentlessly. Just when it looked like the Wanderers would hang on, a good bit of play by Jaye released Allison who slotted the ball home. Colts increased their lead when Twinberrow forced the ball in. Johnson in the Colts goal was called in to action in the dying moments but the Colts ran out worthy winners.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U11s 4,

LYPPARD RANGERS COLTS U11s 1

THIS game was won by a very skilful Newtown team, although they had to contend with some spirited play.

Newtown were in control from the whistle, with Louis Loader, Andy Matthews, Chris DeBonis and Josh White all linking together. It was a build up between these players that gave Newtown their first goal with a final cross from Andy Matthews for Chris DeBonis to shoot home. Lyppard tried to get into the game but Newtown defenders Tom Allen, Richard Higgs and Tom Davis, all looked very assured in front of keeper Chris Reynolds.

The second half continued much as the first, with Newtown scoring their second goal after some classy one touch football between Louis Loader and Josh Allmark, saw Allmark shoot wide of the keeper. The home side's defence was then caught out, when Chris Reynolds was forced to head out a poor back pass which fell directly into the path of a Lyppard player who slotted home to pull one back. That goal fired up the Newtown attack, and some excellent football between Josh White and Mike Roskhams, cleared the way for Andy Matthews, who gave the keeper no chance. Matthews scored his second and Newtown's fourth, with an almost identical attack.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U11s 5,

BROMYARD TOWN JUNIORS U11s 0

MALVERN Town Wanderers U11s secured their third successive championship with victory over Bromyard.

Wanderers took the lead minutes into the first half when the bounce on Douglas Howie's cross deceived the Bromyard keeper and nestled into the back of the net. Josh Ball went close with a header before his inch perfect pass found Douglas Howie who forced a corner which Alex Wren headed inches over the bar. Malvern's pressure was rewarded when the ball was deflected out to Josh Asquith who scored with a powerful left foot shot. Natalie Chadney's assured defending limited Bromyard's opportunities to score and the home team went further ahead when Harry Blood's cross was dispatched with deadly accuracy by Douglas Howie.

In the second half Jack Bottomley's skill and clever close control created further problems for the visitors and the home team increased their lead when Alex Wren skipped past two defenders and scored with a quality finish. Adam Mayo played exceptionally well in an unaccustomed defensive role and his pass started the move, which Douglas Howie finished superbly to claim his second hat-trick of the season.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U10s 1,

EVESHAM UNITED U10s 1

FOR the third match in row Newtown and Evesham had to settle for a point apiece as the match ended 1-1.

It was Newtown who started the brighter and they secured the goal they deserved when Turner skipped past his marker and fizzed a shot across the face of the goal; Morton was on hand to smash the ball home. Newtown now had chances to increase their lead as Wren and Bannister went close. Evesham came into the game but the Newtown back three were on top of their game. Marshalled by Parker, Wren and Bridges it kept Evesham to long hopeful shots. It was one of these right on half time that dragged Evesham back into the game. Olly Scarrott fired in hopefully and caught Loader unawares as the ball ballooned off his hands into the net.

The second half was a more even contest with Evesham having the better chances. Loader atoned for his earlier blooper with a flying save tipping a piledriver over the crossbar and then diving bravely at the feet of the on-rushing striker. Newtown too had chances and the Evesham keeper made a fine double save firstly from Bannister and then from Turner. A flying header from Evesham grazed the bar whilst Carlen set Bannister free but his cross was headed clear. The final whistle brought the point Evesham needed for the title but again victory for either side had been elusive.

WARNDON VILLAGE BEAVERS U9S 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U9S 0

AN excellent team performance by Newtown but a late strike gave the Beavers all three points.

The Colts first half performance was solid, from back to front every player working hard closing down players, limiting the Beavers to a few shots on goal.

In the second half the Colts had to sustain a lot of Beavers pressure, they threw everything at the Colts defence, but they frustrated the Beavers with some great tackling by Ollie Bond, Aaron Bray, James Cooper and Joe Wallace. The Colts midfield of Ryan Davis, Karl Jennings and James Counsels forward runs were limited by the Beavers, but they defended brilliantly. Ashlea Brewer, the Colts keeper, made lots of fine saves.

The Beavers winning goal came two minutes from time. The ball played up field from the goalkeeper, to the striker who went passed the Colts defender and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net. This was so unlucky on the Colts, as they put in such a good performance they at least deserved a draw.

The Colts man of the match award was given to the team for their excellent contribution to the game.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U9'S 0,

SEVERN CITY JUNIORS U9'S 1

NEWTOWN entertained Severn City Juniors in what turned out to be another close match.

The first half was a fairly even affair with both teams enjoying a similar amount of possession. For Newtown Rowan Standish-Hayes came close to scoring twice, the first when a long ball from Josh Myhill was put just wide and then a shot was well saved by the Severn City keeper. Bradley Heron then made a run down the right side and hit a ferocious shot against the woodwork.

The second half saw Newtown start to take control of the game and George Parsons was causing the Severn City defence all sorts of problems with his tireless running. It was George Parsons who came the closest to scoring when a Harry Wickett pass was hit just wide of the post. Severn City then caught Newtown with too many players forward with a quick counter attack which was well finished off.

Man of the match for Newtown, who are sponsored by Parsons Dentists, was George Parsons.