MALVERN United against Welland is always a close encounter and this game was no exception.

MALVERN UNITED U16S 2, WELLAND JUNIORS U16S 2

The teams, flying high in the top half of the table, both started at a cracking pace and it wasn't until the 23rd minute when the deadlock was broken.

After a goalmouth melee Russell Alderson avoided three tackles to fire home. Five minutes later Welland went two up, again courtesy of Russell Alderson and despite United going up a gear they could not break down the Welland defence.

A few tactical changes at half-time saw United come out with more purpose and just four minutes into the half Scott Roberts' hard work paid off and he found Andy Nolan, who squared into the box for captain Liam Harford to slot home.

The end-to-end stuff really started then and resolute defending from Dom Portman, Josh Stafford, Ollie Schoolcraft and Andy Gomez (on for Andy Woodward) with superb handling by keeper Alex Jenkins ensured Welland did not gain any further advantage.

Scott Roberts and Zac Blood, who both got out of their sick beds to play, began to take control of the centre of the park and feed the wingers and strikers to great advantage.

Luke Arnold began to look a danger and it was no surprise when he found hard working Tom Tandurella in the 65th minute to unleash an unstoppable shot to get the equaliser. Dave Ash replaced Zac Blood as United pressed forward looking for the winner but the game ended in a well deserved draw to send United into the Christmas break undefeated in the league and ready to enjoy their Christmas party at the Cross Keys with a buffet provided by Ann and Reg.

Man of the match was Scott Roberts.

WORCESTER RAIDERS U14S 1, NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U14S 7

ON a chilly Sunday afternoon, Newtown Sports Colts visited Worcester Raiders for their final league match of the year.

With the sun in their backs, the Colts attacked the Raiders' goal but lacked that final penetration. Crane, Jaye, Caffull, Edwards and Newell enjoyed plenty of possession, but it took a great bit of skill from Buckle to create the space for himself and place the ball in to the net. The Raiders responded immediately when Johnson pushed a deflected free kick onto the post, but the Raiders attacker was the first to react to equalise. The Colts continued to dominate without scoring, then shortly before half-time, Jaye and Allison struck with two wonderful strikes.

In the second-half, Roskams, Elmes, Powell and Scullion provided the threats as the Colts continued to attack. White extended the lead after he returned a keeper's clearance straight back in to the net. Buckle beat the offside twice to grab his hat-trick and Allison finished of the scoring to end a momentous year for the Colts, who remained unbeaten for the 12 months in all competitive matches.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U14s 8, DROITWICH SPA PACKERS 0

NEWTOWN entertained the Droitwich Spa Packers in this Mercian Festival League U14 clash.

Newtown completely dominated the game and were never in any danger of losing. In the opening minutes of the game Danny Robinson broke down the left, fed the ball to Andy Brannon, who released Oli Lean to score the opener. Two minute later Newtown made it 2-0 when James McCann went round the keeper and slipped the ball into the open net.

When Droitwich did push forward the Newtown defence were untroubled, the Juniors' keeper Chris Spicer largely a spectator, Richard Doyle was once again at the top of his game and Clack, White and Phillips did not put a foot wrong.

As the half went on Lee Gittins and Oli lean continued to stamp their authority on the midfield winning most of the loose ball. It was as a result of this battling that the Juniors extended their lead. Gittins put Mason though to score and then Doyle released McCann to make the half time score 4-0.

In the second half Droitwich did mount a couple of attacks and forced a number of corners and were a little unlucky not to score. It was though Newtown who capitalised from a Droitwich corner, when Richard Doyle intercepted the ball, ran the full length of field, beating a number of players before blasting the ball past the advancing keeper to score his first goal of the season. Within minutes the juniors had extended their lead to 6-0 when Ben Knott slipped the ball to Niall Phillips, who sent a low drive into the corner of the net.

Newtown finished with a flurry, Lee Gittins showed some real dogged determination and was involved in both of Newtown's final goals. Lee Mason scored after a sweeping move and McCann completed his hat-trick to make the score 8-0.

Newtown's man of the match was Lee Gittins. The team are sponsored by Wells Joinery Limited.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS COLTS U10s 2,

OLDBURY PARK TIGERS 9

THE final score did not give an accurate reflection of the standard of play in this game, when Colts never stopped battling against a stronger and faster Worcester side.

Once again goalie Pete Shepherd made some super saves and Max Howie and Myles Cunningham put up some good defensive shields. In the first half, Brent Gibbs and Josh Seabourne in midfield worked hard and well together but were held back by Oldbury's powerful defence. Once before half-time though they took the game up to striker Stan Mason who neatly slotted it in to the back of the net.

In the second half, Harry Tawse and Brandon Hudson produced a good midfield effort and got the play up to Mason who again took his chance, scoring with a well-placed shot. The Colts never lost heart, despite a volley of goals from the visitors, and kept up their pace and effort right until the final whistle.