WANDERERS took on Wolverhampton-based Penn Colts from the First Division in this Stourport & District Under 15's League Cup semi-final at Springfield playing fields, Kidderminster.

PENN COLTS 0, MALVERN WANDERERS 2

In a closely fought match Wanderers just came out the winners and secured a place in the final at Kidderminster Harriers ground in May.

The first half finished 0-0 with both clubs feeling they had justifiable penalty claims turned down. With Wanderers going the closest when Neil Watts hit the bar from 12 yards.

The second half started very much like the first with neither side able to take full control of the match, though Wanderers did look the more likely to score. Anthony Smith came close from 30 yards with the keeper beaten the ball went just over the bar.

With ten minutes left and extra time looming, Ben Jones cleared the ball from a Penn corner to Jamie Thomas who turned and ran at the Penn goal from 15 yards in his own half, he beat one defender for pace and turned another leaving just the keeper to beat and this he did with a powerful right foot shot.

Penn went all out for the equaliser and would have scored but for some great saves from Andy Sutton. Penn's defence had all pushed forward chasing a goal when Jamie Thomas found himself one on one once again and clinched the match with two minutes to go.

Man of the Match was Zeki Koral.

FERNDALE 3,

MALVERN WANDERERS 1

WANDERERS created the lion's share of scoring chances but still suffered a shock defeat in this Stourport & District Under 14's League game.

Visitors' keeper Niall Hacking pulled off two superb saves before being beaten by a looping shot into the top corner in the 20th minute.

Ferndale increased their lead after the break before Wanderers began to find top gear and dominate their rivals. Striker Asa Smith swept home a free kick from winger Dave Schuster who gave his best display of the season. Tom Carr unluckily had a "goal" disallowed for a minor infringement after sterling work by centre half Chris Molineux. Then Smith, Carr and midfielder Adam Granger all went close to scoring before Ferndale grabbed a breakaway goal to ensure victory.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 2, DROITWICH SPA TIGERS 0

NEWTOWN entertained Droitwich in this Mercian Elgar Under 10's Junior League match.

Juniors soon put last weeks cup semi-final defeat behind them having Droitwich on the back foot from the start. Juniors had attack after attack prompted by Craig Preece and Richard Keers running, shooting and out battling the Droitwich midfield. Juniors forced a series of corners but could not find the net with the Droitwich keeper keeping his side in the game.

The second half started the same as the first but this time Juniors soon got the goal they deserved when Craig Preece crossed from the right. The ball came to James McCann whose shot was parried by the goal keeper the ball then falling to Danny Robinson who turned it in for 1-0. Newtown continued to put the pressure on but could not kill the game off and nearly paid for it when Droitwich had their only attack of the game. Chris Spicer in the Junior's goal was quick off his line to smother the attackers shot. Then with one minute left on the clock Newtown settled the nerves when Richard Keers found James Mccann with a through ball and he ran onto it and smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal.

Newtown Man of the Match was Craig Preece.

Newtown Juniors are sponsored by S J Prosser & Son, Painter & Decorators.

DINES GREEN 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS 2

NEWTOWN Sports continued their footballing education with another Under 8's friendly prior to league action next season.

Two weeks inactivity due to the weather saw Newtown hungry for the ball and some free flowing attractive football ensued.

Dines Green were soon onto the pace and the game became centred in midfield where Matt Wren and Chris Bridges were prominent. The deadlock was broken on five minutes when Matt Turner broke down the right and unleashed a cross shot that found the back of the net via Joe Mallett and the upright, with both players claiming the goal. Dines Green then struck back, a defensive mix up with four players going for the same ball, an unmarked Ryan Hammett found himself one on one with Bradley Morton and easily found the back of the net. Newtown were spurred into action and found themselves camped in the Dines Green penalty area. A succession of corners, well struck by Chris Parker, had the defence in all sorts of trouble and shots from Freeman, Wren and Mallett were well saved. For all of the pressure, it was Dines Green who came closest to scoring when on the stroke of half time it took a superb clearance by Callum Rock to keep his side on level terms.

The second half was a more even contest and Morton was forced into an early save and the defence well marshalled by Brankin aided by Carlen and Rock stood firm. The midfield contest was hotting up as the tackles flew in. Christopher Freeman was strong enough to set Mallett off on a run but his shot hit the side netting. Adam Loader was next to just miss and then Matt Turner brought the best out of the home goal keeper. Newtown took the lead when Chris Bridges slid a pass into the path of Adam Loader, Newtown's leading goal scorer made no mistake as he slammed the ball home. Back came Dines Green but Newtown were solid with skipper Chris Parker superb at the back.

This was yet another excellent footballing performance to excite the large and vociferous crowd. Congratulations to all the players in both teams for a thoroughly entertaining game.