A TIGHT contest seemed in prospect with Welland's cup opponents arriving at The Hill Centre unbeaten this season whilst Welland had managed to keep five clean sheets in eight games.

WELLAND JUNIORS U16S 2, MALVERN UNITED 0

The teams had battled to a two-all draw in the opening league game of the season and this was an equally close match which the hosts edged with a display of controlled football in midfield driven on by Josh Kirby.

Welland's impressive defensive trio of Steve Forrester, Ollie Smith and Mike Butler easily coped with any threat to their goal but it was Welland's own forays into their opponents' half which resulted in the first goal. Impressive midfielder, Bruce Rogers delivered an excellent corner from the left which striker Joel Hobbs smashed into the back of the net.

After the break Malvern United pressed hard for an equaliser but Welland's stalwart defence and excellent keeper Ashley Bennett played well to restrict the visitors to trying their luck from outside the area.

The introduction of Richard Pitt gave the home team added flair enabling them to regain the impetus and it was no surprise when he ran onto a through ball from Josh Kirby, going on to beat a couple of defenders before placing his shot to the left of a sprawling keeper to secure Welland's place in the second round of the cup.

Man of the match, sponsored by Dave & Sue Alderson, was Josh Kirby.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U15s 3,

DRAKES BROUGHTON RANGERS U15s 3 (aet)

WANDERERS played Drakes Broughton for the second week running, this time in the cup and at home.

Wanderers hit the ground running and had the majority of the chances in the first ten minutes with Ollie Mason having a free kick saved and Ryan Mansbridge hitting the side netting but it was Drakes Broughton who had just three chances and managed to score with all three. By the end of 30 minutes Sam Hicks had put them ahead with a well taken hat-trick. Wanderers battled hard and on 39 minutes their hard work was rewarded with a fine goal from Ryan Mansbridge making the half time score 1-3.

The second half saw Wanderers showing a great response with Ryan Mansbridge scoring midway through the half. Wanderers had the upper hand through most of the half, which became evident on 72 minutes when Ollie Mason ensured extra time with a superb third goal.

Extra time saw Ryan Mansbridge have a goal disallowed for off-side and despite continuous pressure Broughton's defence stood firm to force a replay.

One downside of this competitive but fair game was that both teams had a player needing a visit to casualty.

WELLAND JUNIORS U15s 8,

WORCESTER RANGERS U15s 1

WELLAND started slowly in this first round cup tie and Rangers played some good, neat passing football in the early minutes that saw them take the lead from a corner through an excellent header from Steve Fagg.

This only served to wake up the Welland team and leading scorer Richard Phelps soon got Welland back on level terms with an excellent far post header. Ben Rao then weaved some midfield magic before hammering home Welland's second with a superb shot from outside the area. Welland were now getting into their stride and played some of the best football they have played all season with two further goals from Richard Phelps including a stunning shot from outside the area into the top right hand corner, another from Ben Rao, two neat finishes from Aaron Richards and one right on the final whistle from the hard working Ricky Buckland. He had been a thorn in the Rangers' side all match with his runs down the right wing and some excellent crosses.

Man of the match was Worcester Rangers goalkeeper who, despite the scoreline, made some quite excellent saves and at times kept Rangers in the hunt almost single-handed.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U14S 7,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 2

NEWTOWN took on the Wanderers in this Wayne Phillpotts Memorial Shield U14 Cup first round tie.

In the first half, Newtown were completely dominant. Olly Lean had control of the midfield and was spreading the ball around with a confident air. Newtown's defence was largely redundant and on the few occasions the Wanderers did break forward, the back four comfortably dealt with any threat, Richard Doyle marshalling them very well. In the first 10 minutes, Newtown missed a number of chances, until Olly Lean sent a defence-splitting pass through to Josh Butler, who slammed the ball home. This was just the catalyst the home team needed. Josh Butler beat the off-side trap, rounded the keeper, and slotted the ball home, McCann was again in fine form and netted twice, and Lee Mason made it five, before Josh Butler completed his first half hat-trick to give Newtown a 6-0 half time lead.

The second half was a different affair. The Wanderers came at Newtown hard, and put the home defence under considerable pressure. It was during this period that they were awarded and scored a penalty and also scored from open play to make it 6-2.

However, Newtown quickly steadied the ship and created numerous chances, missed a penalty, and then made it 7-2 when Josh Butler rounded the keeper for his fourth.

Newtown's man of the match was Josh Butler.

The team are sponsored by Wells Joinery Limited.

WELLAND JUNIORS U14s 1,

KAYS BROADHEATH 2

A MUCH improved performance from the under-strength Welland Juniors team almost yielded a deserved draw.

However when the home team failed to clear a late corner, Kays took advantage and gained an important win. Welland started brightly and scored an excellent first half goal, Callum White heading in a Cathal McTernan cross. With Barton Mathews, Tom Pugh and Joe Forsyth in impressive form, Kays were unable to find their usual rhythm and at half time Welland looked on course for a memorable win.

The second half was only 30 seconds old when Kays equalised. For the next 15 minutes they threatened to overrun Welland but they could not score. Welland again fought back, Mark Green and Rob Graney in particular battling hard in midfield. They seemed to have done enough for a draw until the late winner spoilt their day.

Welland man of the match was Joe Forsyth.

MALVERN WANDERERS U13S 5,

BROMYARD TOWN U13S 0

WANDERERS U13s won this first round cup match comfortably.

In the first half, though, Bromyard produced some attacking play they could not break through the home defence of Ball, Webb, Banks, Bottomley and Titmus.

Wanderers then dominated the second half when the game came alive with some free flowing football from midfield players Whittle, Asquith and Allmark. Some neat passing forward gave Harwood the chance to open his cup account with an impressive hat-trick. Howie took a goal and a fine forward run by Webb led to a penalty, which was well converted by the ever-reliable Asquith.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12s 9,

SUCKLEY HARRIERS U12s 0

THE Juniors progressed to round two of the Ron Handy Memorial Shield with an emphatic win over Suckley.

The Juniors got off to the best of starts when in the first minute Scott Rogers collected the Suckley keepers' clearance and sent in a wonderful lob to open the scoring. Juniors dominated proceedings and squandered many chances until Will Watling dribbled through the defence and shot high into the net. A Bannister shot came off the goalkeeper and Joe Kyte reacted to stab home, two minutes later Kyte returned the favour when sliding the ball into the path of Matt Bannister who easily side-footed home. Such was Newtown's dominance, their goalkeeper only touched the ball once whilst the Suckley keeper was keeping his side in the game. Callum Rock raced clear and made it 5-0 and that quickly became six when Stuart Puffet beat the offside trap to score.

The second half was more of the same but the Juniors were guilty of wasting chances. When Bannister was upended in the box, Chris Parker made no mistake from the spot; Bannister then made it eight when he slotted home from a Watling square ball. Suckley failed to convert their one and only clear opening when Freeman made a good block. Matt Turner completed the rout when he raced clear and slid the ball past the keeper.

Man of the match was Will Watling.

WORCESTER WIZARDS U10s 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U10s 3

THIS was a good cup tie with both teams trying to create chances.

Newtown took the lead half way through the half when Jake Hooper scored after a good run and cross from Tom Busher. Worcester Wizards equalised just before half time when a Wizard's forward scored with a close range shot following a corner.

Newtown started the second half well creating a number of chances, which resulted in Chris Jeffrys scoring an excellent goal from outside the area. He then made it 3-1 shortly after when he put the ball in after the goalkeeper made a good save from a shot from Jack Davies. As the half went on, Wizards started to get more of the ball and with five minutes to go they scored to make it 3-2 but Newtown held on to win the match.

Man of the match was Chris Jeffrys.

NEWTOWN SPORTS U9S 0,

LEIGH & BRANSFORD BADGERS U9s 1

THE Badgers progressed through to the next round of the cup thanks to a Daniel Roberts goal in a hard-fought and evenly balanced cup tie that could have gone either way.

The Badgers pushed forward from the start and began to create chances. A couple of early shots tested the Colts' goalkeeper. On the Colts' first attack the Badgers goalkeeper, Nicholas Snowdon, saved well at the Colts forward's feet. Both teams continued to look for the opening goal, the Badgers came closest with a great in-swinging corner from Daniel Roberts which the Colts' keeper saved well. He then hit the post after a good run and cross from Charlie Wilce.

The Badgers breakthrough came just after half time. Adam Larter and Daniel Watson battled for the ball in midfield and crossed for Daniel Roberts who finished well. From then on the match was end to end, in the last five minutes the Colts increased the pressure. During this time, Nicholas Snowdon made a number of important stops to keep the Badgers in front.

Performance of the week was by Nicholas Snowdon.

The Badgers are sponsored by J King.