22/3/02 - Junior Soccer Scene ...

WELLAND JUNIORS 3, WORCESTER RANGERS 0

As it proved complacency was the main threat to a Welland side that never really got into top gear and Worcester, sensing this, raised their game, producing a standard of football that belied their lowly position.

Worcester held Welland until the 30th minute when Gareth Witts hit the net with a well taken header.

The second half was just as tough for Welland but their superiority eventually broke Worcester down and goals from Steve Page and Tom Crump secured the points and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

Man of the match was Adam Lacey.

INKBERROW EAGLES 0, MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 7

TOWN Wanderers visited lowly Inkberrow Eagles for their latest Mercian Elgar U13s Junior League encounter.

With key players rested the visitors still dominated from the kick off. Rob Leccese opened the account on eight minutes rounding the keeper and picking the spot. Five minutes later Zach Blood finished a Matt Hopwood corner in fine style before Hopwood drilled home a top corner finish after 23 minutes. A minute later Tom White's determination paid off, knocking in from close range.

The second half was the story of the first with Wanderers camped in their counterpart's half and Ed Lumb's crisp strike was guided in by Zach Blood for the visitors' fifth. A Matt Hopwood corner was finished decisively by Luke Arnold before Michael Dicapita's fine run was abruptly ended as the referee pointed to the spot, up stepped keeper Ashley Bennett to keep his 100 per cent penalty rate with an expert finish.

Man of the Match Matt Hopwood.

WELLAND U13s 6, LITTLETON 3

A SPARKLING second half performance, including a hat-trick from Gareth Atkinson, gave Welland the points in this Mercian Elgar Under 13 League game.

Littleton had easily beaten Welland on the opening day of the season and the home team were eager to show how much they have improved since then.

After a fairly even opening to the game Welland took the lead in the 9th minute when Richard Pitt scored from a pass from Andrew Smith. The lead only lasted eight minutes and S McMieken equalised. Welland had most of the play and created several chances but could not regain their lead before half time.

Welland now had the advantage of the strong wind and after 47 minutes Gareth Atkinson scored following good work from Martyn Smith only to once again see the visitors level, this time from L Smith. The battle of the Smiths swung in Welland's favour when Martyn Smith scored himself and then helped Gareth Atkinson score his second goal of the afternoon. The goal of the game gave Gareth Atkinson his hat-trick when he lobbed the keeper from thirty metres to give Welland a 5-2 lead. The final goal for Welland came for the third week running from Liam Harford when he finished off a fine pass from Russell Alderson. The scoring ended with a consolation goal for Littleton from M Lewis.

Welland climbed above their opponents and they are now sixth in the table with five games to go.

The man of the match award, despite a strong challenge from Sam Barton, was given to Gareth Atkinson.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 14, NEWTOWN COLTS 3

THERE were patches of thrilling attacking football from Wanderers in their demolition of an inexperienced Newtown Colts team in this Mercian Elgar U12s Junior League match.

Unfortunately, in their urge to score more and more goals several Wanderers players lost their sense of position and gave away a couple of goals which even the hyper-active stand-in keeper Max White could not save.

In the first half there were excellent scores from Jack Higgs and two each for James Lush and Chris Bowen.

In the second half as Wanderers grew more and more dominant, there were debut goals of the season for Ted Grizzell and Marc Heptinstall. Lewis Hooper, in a rare excursion upfield, also got one and Paul Jordan, Ryan Mansbridge and Luke Butler ended up with two apiece. Chris Styles had a fine game in defence and Calum Campbell and Luke Borton played well.

NEWTOWN JUNIORS U11s 1, LYPPARD RANGERS JUNIORS 3

NEWTOWN again started well in this U11 cup semi-final and should have taken the lead when Craig Preece found Lee Gittins with a fine pass but his shot flew wide.

Preece then had a long range effort tipped over the bar by Lyppard's Craig Smith and from the resultant corner Preece headed over. In their first attack of the game Lyppard got the opener, a fine cross found Lewis Brown unmarked and he headed home. As the game went on Lyppard became stronger and finished the half on top.

In the second half Newtown tried to push for an equaliser but were thwarted by some good strong defending. Lyppard's second came when Fane Dunachie played a through ball to Bobby Tustin who beat keeper Chris Spicer from close range. Dunachie grabbed the third, following a fine run he drove the ball in to the far post. With ten minutes remaining Newtown scored when James McCann fired home a loose ball to set up an exciting finish but Lyppard held on for a deserved place in the final.

Newtown's man of the match was Tom Clack.

Newtown are sponsored by Midland Communications.

LYPPARD RANGERS BOYS 0, NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U11s 6

NEWTOWN Sports Colts travelled to play Lyppard Rangers Boys in this Mercian U11 league match.

The Colts enjoyed plenty of possession straight from the kick-off, as Baz Edwards, Tom Hale and Jamie Caffull took hold of the midfield. The Colts squandered several opportunities until shortly before half-time when Hale opened his account. James Gath and David Roskams marshalled the defence, and Josh Allison in goal didn't have a save to make. With the Colts pressing on, Louis Jones grabbed the second.

In the second half, David Rowley, Max Elmes, Wesley Powell and Jacob Buckle came on for the Colts, as they continued attacking the Lyppard goal. Hale scored two more goals, to bag his hat-trick, and Powell added to the score sheet with a cross-shot. Lyppard looked for a consolation goal but were thwarted by a fine save from Rowley and header against his own post by Elmes. Hale wrapped up the game with his fourth.

Newtown Sports Colts, who are sponsored by Cotteswold Dairies, face a tougher game this Saturday against stable rivals Newtown Sports Boys.

KAYS BROADHEATH 2, NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 1

NEWTOWN Sports Boys travelled to Broadheath in the cup semi-final of the Mercian Elgar U11s Junior League.

Both teams started well, Kays came closest but were denied by great goal keeping by Stuart Johnson. Newtown's best chance came when Marc Twinberrow put a fine ball through but Lee Mason was beaten to the ball by the advancing Kays keeper. Ian Puffett then found himself in front of goal but was unable to get the ball out of his feet. Kays then broke down the left to get the crucial first goal just before half time.

Newtown started the second half looking for a quick equaliser, with defenders Jim Scullion and James Crane holding a solid defensive line pushing the ball out for winger Ollie Lean to bombard the Kays defence. With Kays playing some great one touch and passing football they hit back on the counter attack to go 2-0 up. Steve May and David (Edgar) Milward came on to add to Newtown's push to get back into the game and their efforts were soon rewarded when Lee Mason fired the ball home from long range. Newtown continued their pressure and almost equalised when a Marc Twinberrow free kick was headed over the bar. A good footballing performance by both teams saw Kays hold their lead and take their place in the final.

Newtown Sports Boys are sponsored by Premier Letting.

NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 0, MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 3

MALVERN Town Wanderers booked their place in the final of this year's U10s cup competition with a hard earned victory over their local rivals on Saturday.

A goalless first half saw scoring opportunities for both sides. Josh Almark in the Newtown goal saved efforts from Douglas Howie and Alex Wren. Bobs Mackichan outstripped his opponent with a surging run to win a corner for the visitors but resolute defending by Edward Ferguson and Richard Higgs preserved the stalemate.

In the second half the deadlock was broken when Jack Bottomley's pass found Josh Asquith on the wing whose cross deceived the defence and found the back of the net. A wonderful passing move involving Alex Wren and Adam Mayo led to Malvern's second goal when the latter's shot was parried out by Josh Almark but only into the path of Jack Bottomley who scored with a powerful right foot shot. Newtown always looked threatening on the break and Ben Wheeler made an excellent save to foil the ever dangerous Louis Loader whilst Natalie Chadney made a couple of well timed tackles to preserve the visitor's lead. Jack Bottomley created Malvern's third goal when his pin point pass found Josh Asquith, who raced through and firmly struck the ball into the top corner.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 1, LYPPARD RANGERS 2 (aet)

NEWTOWN bowed out of the Goode U9s trophy at the semi-final stage losing 2-1 to Lyppard Rangers with the winning goal coming one minute from the end of extra time.

Newtown started the match brightly but found Whiting in the Lyppard goal and his defenders in outstanding form. The Newtown defenders were also dominant and the match was concentrated in midfield. Chris Parker prompted Newtown's best move but Turner was unable to get his shot in on goal.

The second half followed the same pattern but it was Lyppard who opened the scoring. Newtown failed to clear their lines and James Heason fired in a shot that took a slight deflection and defeated Morton, going in off the post. Matt Turner broke free and powered in on goal but Whiting made a tremendous save. Still Newtown searched for an equaliser but the Lyppard defenders remained firm. Lyppard also had chances to extend their lead but the Newtown defence marshalled by Crews and Rock saw to it that Newtown stayed in the match. With time running out a Newtown corner bounced around the area until Matt Turner stabbed the ball home for the equaliser. Newtown almost snatched the match with the last kick of the game but Parker's curling effort just shaved the post and the match went into extra time.

The first period saw Newtown in control and Whiting made several important saves to keep his side in the game. With the players tiring it was now Lyppard who dominated and Morton was called upon to make brave blocks as Heason kept the Newtown defenders busy. With a minute left the breakthrough came. Heason powered in a shot that came back off Morton and Jack Davies slotted the rebound home to send the Lyppard followers delirious. Newtown tried to mount a late rally but it was Lyppard celebrating a final appearance.

Man of the match was every Newtown player for never giving up.