Norton Rgrs U-13 3, Welland 2

A DRAW against closest rivals Newtown Sports in their final Mercian Elgar League on May 16 will guarantee Norton the title.

Rangers are unbeaten in 2001 and they maintained their impressive sequence with a narrow win over the side they will face in the League Cup final at Malvern on Sunday (4.30pm).

James Muddiman gave Norton the lead after Welland had squandered a couple of chances and, when Ashley Wilkes prodded in a loose ball after Matthew Williams had struck the bar, the points seemed secure.

However, the visitors hit back before half time when Norton made a trio of changes and it was one of those substitutes, Dan Cotterill, who restored his side's two-goal cushion.

Chances were the spurned and a second Welland goal made for a nervy final few minutes before the points were finally secured.

Rangers hit the goal trail with a vengeance on Sunday despite manager Rob Knight ringing the changes.

Worcester Rangers were trounced 9-1 and they were lucky not to concede double figures as striker Ashley Wilkes struck the bar three times in the first ten minutes.

It was 6-0 at the break, nevertheless, thanks to a Matthew Williams hat-trick and other goals from Ashley Knight (2) and Luke Underwood.

Only two more were recorded after the break - Dale Attwood and Oliver Worthington the scorers, adding to an own goal from the hapless visitors.

Drakes Broughton Rgrs U-11 4, Stratford Colts 4

A FOOTBALLING feast was served up despite neither side having anything to play for.

Stratford took the lead against the run of play but James Alexander soon hit back to level.

Drakes contrived to spurn several chances that came their way and had they managed to find the net then the second half would have become something of a formality.

The funny old game that football is saw Stratford score a late penalty to lead 2-1 at the break and a third goal after the restart looked to have ended Broughton's hopes of a win.

However, Rangers woke up and as midfield pair Jonathon Bird and Aron Letterese started to boss the game, they piled on the pressure.

Jack Holt fired them just one goal adrift and it was 3-3 when Neil Taylor headed in only for the visitors to immediately restore their lead with a fourth goal.

Defeat looked likely but Drakes found the strength to lay siege to the Stratford goal and Taylor netted one of a couple of chances to earn a share of the spoils.

Worcester St Johns 0,

Vale Youth U-13 8

VALE continued their good form with a comfortable victory that would have been even easier but for the efforts of the home goalkeeper.

Saints faced a bombardment of attacks and goals came at regular intervals with Phelps, Bellamy and Aston all scoring twice and Metrovich and Wilhoitie adding to the tally.

Badsey Rgrs U-13 3

Charlton Rvrs Blues 2

RANGERS resumed their league programme strengthened by the return of Tom Willmot and Antonio Vernaschi.

They dominated the opening half and a brace from Sam Linley left them in the ascendancy.

However, Blues hit back before the break and then made it 2-2 after the restart.

End to end action followed as both sides went in search of a winner which came courtesy of Dan Willmot's speed and another excellent finish from Linley to complete his hat-trick.

Droitwich Rgrs 0, Peopleton U-13 6

A FIRST minute goal from Luke Radford last Friday left Droitwich wishing they had stayed at home.

The scorer then doubled the advantage before the break and it was 3-0 at the interval when Lea Miller made the most of the constant pressure.

Droitwich came more into the game after the restart but they failed to breach a solid defence and it was Dean Cloke who added to the scoring before a superb swerving shot from 25 yards by Nick Henry made it five. Andy Lamb completed the scoring late on.

Drakes Broughton Rgrs 2,

Peopleton U-13 5

LEA Miller bagged a treble against his old club to steer Peopleton to a convincing derby success.

The winners, though, didn't have things all their own way and they went behind early on when Scott Hughes struck.

Miller levelled and then Nick Henry gave the visitors the lead before the same player made it 3-1 with another typical dead ball strike.

Hughes scored a second for Drakes but it was their local rivals who ended up comfortable winners in a match in which both goalkeepers - Steve Cutts and Matt Clements excelled.