MALVERN United knew they would have a tough game when league front runners Peopleton paid a visit to Sling Lane so the order of the day was come out battling.

MALVERN UNITED U14 1, PEOPLETON JUNIORS U14 2

After just five minutes the visitors were shocked by a scorching 25-yard shot from Dave Reynolds which flew into the top corner of the net.

United kept pressing forward with Tom Ferguson, Liam Harford and Nik Zikking all forcing Peopleton keeper to pull off some acrobatic and diving saves. At the other end defender John Davies was having a tremendous game keeping the advancing Peopleton forwards at bay.

After the break, and with the rain once again turning the pitch into a quagmire, Peopleton snatched a goal back but there was no letting up. Craig Philpotts, Mike James and Chris Denslow defended like Trojans and keeper Alex Jenkins was called upon to make save after save as United looked to secure a well deserved point.

Peopleton went ahead 15 minutes from the end but that did not slow the United side who were all playing with pride and determination. Andy Nolan and Gareth Atkinson secured centre of midfield and substitutes Dan Pountney and Craig Baker came on to play their part in this exciting encounter.

In the end Peopleton went home with the points but the United team can feel justifiably pleased with themselves for their effort in making this a great game.

Man of the match was keeper Alex Jenkins.

EVESHAM COLTS U14s 1,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 2

IT was time to show team spirit and commitment as injury and illness meant travelling to Evesham with a bare eleven players.

In wet conditions Wanderers began the brightest determined to break the deadlock with their much re-shuffled pack. Craig Richard seemed to be the benefactor, volleying home a Hopwood corner only to be denied the flag.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks at the restart with the home side on the back foot. A fine run down the left flank by Matt Hopwood saw his pin point cross rifled in by Zach Blood at close range. Minutes later the scores were level as slack concentration allowed Evesham to reduce the arrears. Now the spirit of the visitors was evident as Zach Blood found the top corner with a venomous strike from 12 yards to seal a workmanlike victory.

Man of the match was Scott Roberts.

Wanderers are sponsored by Malvern Tree & Garden Services.

NEWTOWN SPORTS U13S 18,

WARNDON BOYS U13S 0

A SUPERB first half display from Newtown set the scene for a comprehensive victory.

Even on a rain-soaked pitch their passing and movement were exceptional and with clinical finishing they proved unstoppable. First half hat-tricks from Jamie Ferguson and Ricky Buckland added to openers from Adam Johnson and Mark Holbrow and a pair from Matt Foley, giving a 10-0 half time lead.

Buckland soon added his fourth and Newtown were rampant with Dan Jeynes scoring twice, Johnson adding another three and solo efforts from Phil Harris and Chris Bowen to make it 18-0. An excellent team performance led by captain Lee Hammond and played with great spirit by both sides made the soggy conditions bearable.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U12s 3,

LYPPARD RANGERS JUNIORS 1

ON A wet and cold afternoon Newtown Sports Colts were a ray of sunshine in their home league fixture against Lyppard Juniors.

With neither side creating a clear opening in the first evenly contested fifteen minutes, it was the Colts who scored first. Following some strong and persistence work, Powell sent Allison clear to finish coolly. Allison could have doubled his tally shortly before half-time but the Lyppard keeper made a fine save.

In the second half, the Colts dominated proceedings but failed to increase their lead until midway through the half. Again it was Powell who produced another strong run down the left, his cross fell to the feet of Edwards who fired the ball in to the roof of the net.

Lyppard got back into the game after the Colts failed to clear an innocuous long ball which fell to Stone, who hit a cracking shot into the top corner leaving the Colts keeper with no chance. Lyppard looked for the equaliser but a tremendous performance in midfield by Gath for the Colts thwarted any attacking moves.

With five minutes remaining, the Colts wrapped up all three points with Buckle delivering a superb cross which a Lyppard defender could only turn in to his own net.

This was an excellent battling performance by the Colts, who are sponsored by Alan Gath Emporiums, against the current league leaders.

WELLAND JUNIORS U12s 2,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12s 0

DESPITE the miserable conditions, this proved to be an excellent game, played in the right spirit by two well matched teams.

A nervous start led to two remarkable goal mouth scrambles, one at each end. The game soon settled down however with each team taking it in turns to dominate. Malvern created the better chances in the first half forcing one great save from Welland keeper Barton Mathews. The half however finished scoreless.

In the second half Welland slowly started to get on top. Their defence were now dominant whilst Andrew Jones and Luke Fain helped the Welland side gain control of midfield. Midway through the half a Joe Forsyth cross caused confusion in the Malvern defence and Nathan Budd was on hand to score his second goal of the season. The game was settled a few minutes later when Cathal McTernan broke free of the defence and slipped the ball past the on rushing goal keeper. Malvern never gave up and played some good football without ever threatening to breach Welland's strong defence.

Man of the match was Luke Fain.

BROMYARD TOWN JUNIORS U11s 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U11s 7

MALVERN Town Wanderers U11s returned to league action with a comprehensive win against Bromyard Town.

The visitors took the lead when Alex Wren skilfully headed Josh Asquith's corner into the back of the net. Minutes later he scored again when his thunderbolt shot hit the post and he volleyed in the rebound. Harry Blood's inch perfect pass set up Douglas Howie to score Malvern's third goal. Straight from the kick off Harry Blood eluded the home team's defenders to score his first league goal for the club. Alex Wren's pass put Josh Asquith through to score before Josh Ball made it six shortly before the interval with an unstoppable shot.

In the second half Wanderers continued to press forward and Jack Bottomley's neat play was rewarded when he scored their final goal. Throughout the match resolute defending from Natalie Chadney limited Bromyard's opportunities to score and keeper Ben Wheeler made a couple of excellent saves when they did threaten. The ever dangerous Adam Mayo was unlucky not to score and Douglas Howie was only stopped from adding to his tally by the woodwork and good goal keeping.

NEWTWON SPORTS JUNIORS U10s 7,

SEVERN CITY FC 0

NEWTOWN stretched their unbeaten run with a seven goal romp over Severn City.

Newtown got off to a brisk start, with neat passing interchanges Wren released Watling who turned and drove an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Severn drove forward in numbers but Newtown's defenders Bridges, Rock and Crews were solid. When they did penetrate Loader saved bravely dived at the feet of the oncoming attackers. Newtown reasserted themselves culminating in a second goal, some neat footwork from Morton released Turner who drove the ball past the oncoming keeper. The third for Newtown came straight off the training ground, an inch perfect corner cross from Parker found Wren coming in on the back post to thunder a header past the keeper.

The second half saw Newtown continuing to press and Bannister scored after a mix up in the Severn defence. Bannister notched his second with a run and shot only two minutes later. Severn attempted to catch Newtown on the break but wing backs Carlen and Freeman held firm and drove forward at every opportunity. Some smart rotations by Newtown provided fresh impetus and keeper turned striker Loader released Turner who sped clear coolly slotting home. Morton then made a double save to keep Newtown's clean sheet. Turner then claimed his hat-trick and Newtown's seventh capitalising on a mix up in the Severn defence.

Man of the match was Will Watling.

SEVERN CITY JUNIORS 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U9S 2

NEWTOWN returned to league action with a tough away game against Severn City Juniors.

The first half was an even affair with both teams producing some entertaining football. Joshua Myhill and George Rhodes were looking solid at the back for Newtown and the impressive Bradley Heron was making some good runs down the right hand side.

Newtown started the second half in a determined mood and this was rewarded when the excellent Harry Wickett finished off a good move to give Newtown the lead. Newtown were now forced into some resolute defending. Keeper Sam Parsons had to leave the pitch injured after making a great save, however despite his brave attempts he was unable to stop them scoring from the rebound.

Almost immediately Newtown took the lead again with an exquisite lob from Rowan Standish-Hayes which left the Severn City keeper with no chance. Stand in keeper George Rhodes produced a fine save to ensure Newtown took both points.

Harry Wickett was the Newtown man of the match.

Newtown Sports Juniors U9'S are sponsored by Parsons Dentists.