A SKILFUL Droitwich side were forced on to the defensive right from the whistle in this Mercian Elgar Under 15's Junior League match.

DROITWICH BOYS 1, WELLAND JUNIORS 1

Welland poured forward, Taylor carving his way through the middle, Holland and Crump causing problems on the flanks and Chance and Witts stretching the Droitwich back four but Droitwich fought hard and the score sheet remained blank at half time.

The second half saw Droitwich raise their game and for 30 minutes there was nothing to chose between the two teams. Then with ten minutes remaining James Smith powered a header into the net from a Welland corner. Droitwich bounced back, hitting the Welland crossbar and forcing the rebound into the net. With just 60 seconds remaining and a draw seemingly inevitable, Welland were awarded a penalty as a desperate Droitwich defender handled the ball to prevent a certain goal. Gerald Chance stepped up to secure the points for Welland but was denied by a superb save from the Droitwich goalie and the honours were shared.

Man of the Match: Joe Taylor.

LITTLETON JUNIORS 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS 5

THIS Mercian Elgar U13's League encounter showed not only do Newtown possess great skill as a team but also have a fighting spirit.

The first half saw goals from David Reynolds and Lee Jenkins with Littleton getting one, but this game was all about an amazing exhibition of football from Newtown in the final 20 minutes.

Littleton equalised early in the second half but Newtown upped their tempo to take control. Matthew Lakey, Kris Denslow and Mike James battled well and tackled with exceptional timing to break down Littleton's attacks and with the middle of the park controlled by Tom Ferguson and Joe Ball Newtown really went to town. Three second half goals from David Reynolds was just reward as he played outstanding throughout and his clinical finishing was more than praiseworthy.

Man of the Match: David Reynolds.

WORCESTER RANGERS 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 11

MALVERN Town Wanderers won an overwhelming victory in this Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League match.

Having nearly all the possession throughout the game it was only surprising they did not score more goals. As usual James Lush scored first and, always threatening and quick to the ball, got another by half time. Jack Higgs, fast onto a pass from Ryan Mansbridge, also scored before the interval.

In Wanderers' defence Chris Styles, Ollie Mason and Marc Heptinstall ensured that all the play was kept in the opposition half and dynamic midfield play by Max White, Luke Butler, Chris Bowen and Calum Campbell gave the forwards innumerable scoring opportunities.

The brave Rangers goalkeeper did very well to prevent a huge score being amassed but could not prevent second half goals from Paul Jordan (2), Luke Borton (2), Luke Butler (2), Ryan Mansbridge and Chris Bowen.

WELLAND JUNIORS 3,

WORCESTER JUNIORS 1

THIS was an excellent win for Welland Juniors who took firm control of this Mercian Elgar Under 12's match from the kick off.

Welland scored their first goal in the tenth minute, this came from the determined Richard Tuck. Welland played consistently well and another goal resulted from a massive drop kick by keeper Austin Watts onto the feet of Richard Tuck, who delighted the crowd by running straight through Worcester's defence and finishing with a lovely second goal.

In the second half Worcester's Liam Wilson scored early on, however Welland now had Richard Phelps in defence along with John White, Toby Dudfield and Geoffrey Burford who between them stopped any forward play by Worcester. Some fabulous play by Aaron Richards coupled with several near misses by Welland livened this match up towards the end and a Beckham style free kick expertly taken by Richard Phelps allowed Aaron Richards to get a well earned goal off the crossbar.

Welland's Man of the Match: Geoffrey Burford.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U11s 0,

LYPPARD JUNIORS 1

LYPPARD Juniors were the visitors for Newtown Sports Colts in this top of the Mercian Elgar Junior League table clash for the U11s.

Wesley Powell, Tom Hale and Baz Edwards started in midfield and put together one or two neat exchanges, however, within eight minutes the Colts were 1-0 down after they failed to clear a corner and the visiting striker fired in to the corner of the goal. Jamie Caffull and James Gath came on for the Colts and the team continued playing the good football.

In the second half, the Colts stepped up a gear. Max Elmes and David Roskams were solid at the back and the midfield started supplying Jacob Buckle with some quality balls. However, with the Lyppard goalie in inspired form, some bad luck and a lack of composure, the Colts failed to turn all the good work into goals. The Colts were so dominant, keeper David Rowley didn't have one save to make in the second half!

Although disappointed with the lack of goals, the Colts (who are sponsored by Cotteswold Dairies) can take great credit in the way they kept trying to play football and maintain their discipline against such a big and physical side.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 0

JUNIORS gained their second win of the season in the Mercian Elgar Under 11's Junior League with a hard fought victory over their club rivals.

In difficult conditions it was Juniors who started brighter, dominating the early exchanges and were unlucky not to take the lead when Josh Butler went close. Craig Preece also went close forcing Boys' keeper Stuart Johnson into making three fine saves from long range efforts.

The Boys then got themselves back into the game and Lee Mason tested Juniors' keeper Chris Spicer with a well struck shot. Ollie Lean then produced some excellent skill on the right his far post cross just out of reach of Mark Twinberrow. Spicer then made the save of the game tipping wide a hard drive from Ollie Lean.

The start of the second half saw Juniors regain the upper hand. After ten minutes the hard working Butler shrugged off a defender and laid the ball back to Robinson who dribbled past his marker and coolly slotted the ball home. With ten minutes remaining Juniors were awarded a penalty, Butler struck the ball well but Johnson made a fine save. The determination of Tom Clack and Craig Preece in midfield and Jack Kyte and Richard Doyle in defence ensured Juniors held on for the points.

Juniors Man of the Match: Josh Butler.

Juniors are sponsored by Midland Communications.

LYPPARD RANGERS 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U9s 4

WANDERERS increased their lead at the top of the Mercian Elgar U9 table to three points with a comprehensive victory, their fifth in a row.

In a totally one sided first half Wanderers attacked right from the start and a great through ball from Jordan Johnson put in Harry Gregory for his first goal. Tom Dunn was impressive down the left wing and it was his cross that found Gregory who blasted in his second goal. Adam Green played well in the centre of midfield, helping Scott Rogers and Alex Stockwell in defence to keep tackling and pushing the ball forward. Just before the break Tom Dunn spotted the Rangers keeper off his line and scored with an exquisite lob from well outside the area, taking Wanderers into half time leading 3-0.

The second half was a tighter affair and Wanderers keeper Kit Holden was forced to make some important saves. Jonathan Hughes and Jonathan Howie slotted into the midfield well and they both would have scored but for some brilliant saves from the Rangers keeper. Wanderers kept up the pressure and Jack Probert rounded the keeper and fired home to complete an impressive away performance.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Hughes.