Junior Soccer Scene ...

BARNARDS GREEN 0, NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 7

Newton made a nervy start before a cross cum shot by Will Burton found the back of the net. Half an hour into the game Tom Vaughan latched on to a long through ball to finish in fine style.

The second half saw Newtown struggling to retain possession against a determined Barnards Green. Against the run of play Tom Bethell scored from close range. Newtown were now in complete charge and further goals followed from Tom Vaughan, Tom Bethell and the best goal of the game, a Joel Skyers 30 yarder and Tom Bethell completing his hat-trick. This was a fine display and a fitting end to a long season that saw Newtown win 17 games and lose only one in the League. The manager would like to thank the boys and their parents for all efforts and support.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 6,

WELLAND JUNIORS 0

THIS Mercian Elgar U12's Junior League match was the second time the teams had met this season and again Newtown took the honours scoring one more goal than their last meeting.

On eight minutes Joe Ball took a free kick and the well placed Tom Ferguson struck it home. Later in the half David Reynolds crossed and John Davies headed in Newtown's second before Welland were awarded a penalty which keeper Tom Soley saved.

The second period was again all Newtown and within six minutes a Mathew Lakey pass found David Reynolds who put his shot wide but soon made amends with a brilliant free kick into the top corner. It was no surprise when David Reynolds completed his hat-trick to make it five and a run from the halfway line saw Lee Jenkins completing the rout.

Gareth Jones was awarded Man of the Match along with hat-trick hero David Reynolds.

BROCKHAMPTON BADGERS 2, NEWTOWN SPORTS 2

THIS Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League match was played on a Wednesday evening.

Newtown opened the scoring in the first minute when Lee Jenkins took advantage of a defensive mix up to score a spectacular goal. After this Newtown knew things would not go their way and Brockhampton went 2-1 up with goals on eight minutes and 18 minutes. Newtown never gave up hope and Mathew Lakey and Nick Zikking stopped Brockhampton attacks and played some useful balls down field. David Reynolds went close for Newtown on more than one occasion and Joe Ball hit the outside of the post with a corner.

Twenty minutes played in the second half Newtown equalised. Craig Philpotts took a quick throw in to Mathew Lakey who flicked the ball up then half volleyed it from 20 yards into the roof of the net for one of the goals of the season.

Man of the Match was Nick Zikking.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 4,

DRAKES BROUGHTON 2

NEWTOWN Sports played their third Mercian Elgar Under 12's League game in six days and came out deserving winners.

After going one down on six minutes, they pushed forward and were awarded a penalty, which Mathew Lakey scored just before halftime.

The second half was the most entertaining and with only 30 seconds gone David Reynolds forced the Broughton keeper to save. Minutes later came a magical moment when Adam Oakley raced through from the halfway line before unleashing a perfect shot into the net which was applauded by both supporters. From then it was all Newtown and Lee Jenkins relished the chance of lobbing the keeper and did so in great style. Broughton were later awarded a penalty for hand ball and scored before Newtown got their fourth.

Man of the Match was Adam Oakley.

NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 0

NEWTOWN Boys played host to Newtown Juniors in this Mercian Elgar Under 10's Junior League game, which was vital to both teams.

It was the Boys who took the initiative with some fine passing football putting the Juniors' defensive trio of Jack Kyte, Richard Doyle and Richard Keers under pressure with the midfield dynamo Lee Mason spreading the ball wide to wingers Lee Gittins and Ollie Lean to cross to striker Marc Twinberrow. The Juniors pushed forward whenever possible with Craig Preece and James McCann but solid defending by James Crane and Ian Puffett denying them any clear cut chances of testing keeper Stuart Johnson in goal. The Boys' good football paid dividends half way through the half when a good passing move opened up Juniors' defence for Marc Twinberrow to fire the ball home after Juniors' keeper Chris Spicer failed to hold the ball from an Ollie Lean shot.

In the second half the Juniors came out looking for an equaliser but sound goal keeping by Stuart Johnson denied Arron Almond's swerving corner and a rocket from Craig Preece. With the Juniors pushing forward looking for the elusive equaliser the Boys were able to take the advantage on the break and when a great through ball from James Crane put Lee Mason through to rifle the ball into the net ensuring the Boys two vital points.

Newtown Sports Boys are sponsored by Premier Letting and S J Prosser & Son Painting & Decorating sponsor Newtown Sports Juniors.

MCL CLAINES 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U10s 2

LAST Saturday the Colts U10s made the trip to Worcester in a rehearsal for this weekend's Cup Final against Claines.

Claines put up a gritty, battling performance, but gradually the midfield trio of Wesley Powell, Tom Hale and Baz Edwards, along with striker Louis Jones, started to make in-roads into the Claines defence. There weren't too many goal scoring opportunities, with defenders Ben Hunt and David Roskams coping well, until a long through ball put the Claines striker one-on-one with the Colts keeper David Rowley. Rowley did well to come off his line and parry the ball, but unfortunately the Claines striker got the luck of the bounce to put his side one up.

In the second-half the game opened out and the Colts enjoyed more possession and it was no surprise when Wesley Powell equalised after finding himself in lots of space. The Colts continued to press for the winner with the new defensive partnership of Max Elmes and David Roskams pushing on at every opportunity. Eventually the winner came after one of the many corners and free-kicks fell to Tom Hale on the edge of the box who despatched his shot in to the corner of the goal.

Whilst the Colts (sponsored by Cotteswold Dairies) have played better and lost this season, it was still a confident display before Sunday.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 2, NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS 0

NEWTOWN Juniors entertained Colts in this Mercian Elgar Under 10's League game.

The Colts started brightly and nearly opened the scoring within minutes when a clearance from a corner fell to Bas Edwards whose shot was parried onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Chris Spicer. Juniors responded well and grabbed their first goal when a throw in was cleared to Craig Preece who looped the ball back to the far post for Dan Robinson to knock the ball down for James McCann who coolly finished.

In the second half Juniors came under pressure with the Colts pressing for the equaliser. Richard Doyle cleared off the line and James McCann headed clear from a goal bound shot. Max Sharpe and Jack Kyte also made good clearances. Juniors grabbed their second goal when a long ball was passed through to Arron Almond who ran powerfully through to score his ninth goal of the season.

Man of the Match was Richard Doyle.

WITLEY WARRIORS 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U10s 1

ON Tuesday evening the Colts played their last league of the season at Witley Warriors.

Unfortunately the Colts didn't save the best until last as the put on as a disappointing performance. The defensive partnership of Max Elmes and David Roskams found it hard to clear the ball, and the midfield of Jacob Buckle, Tom Hale and Wesley Powell couldn't pass the ball over the grass. Ironically, the Colt got off to a flier when Louis Jones managed to squeeze the ball home following one of the Colts few flowing moves in the first moments of the game. Jones could have doubled his tally when he headed a corner goal-ward, but it struck the keeper square on the head!

The Warriors drew level after the Colts failed to clear a goal-kick. The ball fell straight to the Warrior's forward who finished coolly.

In the second-half the pattern of the game continued, with the Warriors getting to the ball quicker than the Colts. The Warriors extended their lead when they scored direct from a corner. The Colts did create one or two half chances, but it was always going to be one of those days.

Whilst it was a disappointing final league game for the Colts they still have Sunday's Cup Final to look forward to.

WARNDON BOYS 2 MALVERN WANDERERS BOYS 0

THIS Mercian Elgar U9 League match provided a very entertaining game on a glorious sunny day

The match began with Wanderers attacking well with strikers Harry Gregory and Alex Stockwell but this pattern of play didn't last for long and Wanderers were forced to defend for most of the match.

The first half was dominated by superb defending from Wanderers Jack Daniels and Chris Webb and Tom Dunn in goal was almost unbeatable with a string of first class saves. In midfield Kurt Teale and Jordan Johnson got stuck in with good tackles and blocks and Wanderers deserved to enter the half time break all square.

In the second half Warndon laid siege to the Wanderers goal, hitting the crossbar and both posts. The addition of substitute Jonathan Hughes provided welcome respite for the Wanderers defence as he strengthened the midfield, but just when it appeared that Wanderers had done enough to earn their second draw and clean sheet in as many games, their luck finally ran out.

Two goals in the last five minutes from Warndon ended Wanderers hopes of climbing off the foot of the league table but the players should be proud of their display against one of the leagues better teams.

Wanderers Man of the Match: Jack Daniels