Junior Soccer Scene ...

PLAYING at the Langland Stadium, a well-organised Malvern side hoped to avenge the defeat suffered to the visitors at the same venue three weeks ago.

But the "Three Counties" Excellence Centre team of Henrician marched on into the next round of the U16s league cup.

The Prince Henry's Evesham-based team's opener was scored in the 18th minute from an Ashley Powell free kick on the halfway line. The inswinger was met deftly by Scott Williams who headed strongly past the advancing Malvern keeper.

In the second half, the action continued with Malvern trying for the initiative. But renewed pressure from Henrician led to a right-sided corner with Powell again providing, this time for centre-back Richard Perry, who headed past the stranded keeper into the far corner.The game was played out in front of an appreciative good-sized crowd with the sides, delighted that Mercian League chairman George Silverman was in attendance to observe an entertaining spectacle.

Next Sunday sees the return of league action with Malvern away to Burlish Olympic and Henrician away to Ferndale.

OMBERSLEY COLTS U15s 3,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U15s 3

MALVERN Town Wanderers visited Ombersley Colts for the opening round of the Andy Wardroper Memorial Trophy.

Wanderers found themselves under early pressure, this resulted in a penalty and at half-time they trailed 1-0.

After the interval Wanderers began to impose themselves more on the match and were level when Luke Jones drilled home from 12 yards. Kris Denslow then put Wanderers 2-1 up as his fierce shot found the top corner. The game then swung in the opposite direction with Ombersley finding themselves 3-2 to the good. With spirit and determination now to the full, the response was rewarded when Richard Pitt's close-range header put the game into extra time. It stayed a stalemate and both teams will lock horns again this Sunday for the replay.

SALFORD 2, WELLAND JUNIORS U15s 1

FOLLOWING on from their 5-1 home victory over Newtown Sports last week when goals from man of the match Martyn Smith (three) and Russell Anderson (two) gave them victory, Welland returned to Salford only two weeks after these two sides last met, only this time with a full squad.

It took Welland just 10 minutes to go ahead with a well-worked goal finished clinically by Welland's captain, Joe Waldron. The rest of the first half was evenly contested but it was a fluke goal that levelled the scores when a high cross into the area got caught by a high gust of wind carrying the ball over the head and reach of Welland's keeper, Sean Jenkins.

Welland made several changes as the second half progressed, and dominated play for large parts of the game.

The visitors' back four of Ollie Smith, Shane Jackson Steve Forrester and Guy Habbits (later Sam Barton) put up an impenetrable defensive wall which Salford struggled to break through. However, the wind conspired yet again to undo Welland's stalwart defence blowing another high ball off course, gifting the home team their second goal and the lead. Welland constantly threatened Salford's goal for the remainder of the game but they managed to hold on until the final whistle.

Man of the match, sponsored by Butlers Health & Fitness, was central defender Steve Forrester.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 3,

EVESHAM UNITED U14s 1

THE first round of the Wayne Phillpotts Memorial Shield competition saw an exciting match between the two leading teams in last year's league.

In the first half the advantage was all to Evesham as they dominated possession. It was a surprise they only scored one goal, a penalty well taken by Ben Bearcroft.

In the second half Wanderers slowly gained the initiative passing the ball well and moving with more purpose. Ollie Mason got the equaliser after a mix up in defence gave him a one-to-one with the United keeper. With just over five minutes left the game seemed to be heading for extra time when a fine through ball set the speedy Max White free and he finished in style. With Evesham pushing forward to try and get back in the game the final goal came from a great strike by Ryan Mansbridge from outside the penalty area.

Malvern Town Wanderers are sponsored by Pole Elm Garage, Callow End.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U13s 0,

KAYS BROADHEATH 0 (aet)

FOR the second week in succession Newtown Sports Colts played hosts to Kays Broadheath, except this was in the first round of the cup.

Jaye, Allison and Caffull battled hard for the Colts in a congested midfield, while Edwards and Powell had a little more room out wide. The Colts defence of Crane, Roskams and Scullion stood firm and limited Kays to several half-chances which Johnson in goal easily coped with. With the game played largely in midfield, Twinberrow and Hale had to work hard to create any forward play, but the Colts gained several corners from which they always looked dangerous. The match remained goalless until half-time, when Buckle came on for the Colts.

The pattern of the game continued with both defences in command, even after Scullion made way for Elmes for the Colts. Milward came on down the left for the Colts, but with neither side giving an inch extra-time loomed. Kays nearly broke the deadlock when Gwynne found himself unmarked, but Johnson saved comfortably. Buckle and Hale combined well to create several half-chances for the Colts, but with both sides wilting after 90 minutes of football the game ended in a draw.

The Colts, who are sponsored by Alan Gath Enterprises, showed great character in a tough match.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12s 6,

BROMYARD JUNIORS U12s 0

WANDERERS progressed into the second round of the Ron Handy Memorial Shield with a well-earned victory over a battling Bromyard team.

Despite resolute defending from Bromyard, Wanderers were able to stamp their authority on the game with an early goal when hard-running Alex Scullion released Dougie Howie whose cross was skilfully volleyed into the net by the outstanding Josh Asquith. Only minutes later more pressure saw Alex Wren denied his first goal of the season when his fierce shot ricochet off the crossbar but he followed this up with another move that again saw his shot rebound off the post, only this time he finished off the rebound to put Wanderers 2-0 up. Bromyard counter attacked but the excellent Tom Banks, Chris Wren, Josh Ball and Matt Downes ensured that keeper Ben Wheeler had few saves to make.

In the second half Charlie Titmus pushed forward and fed Josh Asquith a neat pass, which the midfielder took goal wards and chipped the keeper for his second and Wanderers third goal. Adam Mayo's shooting accuracy gave Wanderers the fourth and Alex Wren pounced on a rebound from Jack Bottomleys' powerful shot to make it five. Alex Bakothanasis was prompting constant pressure down the right and it was his cross that led to Mayo's header for his second and Wanderers sixth goal to cap a fine team performance.

WELLAND JUNIORS U12s 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12s 7

SPORTS took the initiative early on as fine build up play created a number of chances before Joe Bament was set free to slot home with the keeper wrong-footed.

Newtown continued to press forward and went two up with a powerful shot from Mike Roskams. All the play continued in the Welland half, and it was no surprise when Chris DeBonis made it three with a low shot after a cross by Josh Allmark. Just before half time, Newtown made it four with an excellent strike by Andy Matthews.

The second half started with Welland taking advantage of a mistake in the away team's midfield to pull a goal back. That goal shocked Newtown into action and it was an excellent through ball from Louis Loader that allowed both Andy Matthews and Chris DeBonis to break from the half way line. Matthews carried the ball forward, his shot coming out off the keeper's legs into the path of DeBonis who coolly shot home for his second and Newtown's fifth. Newtown continued to control the game and Josh White made it six with a well-taken goal looping over the keeper. Welland continued to threaten on the break, and once again forced Newtown into a defensive error for their second. But it was Sports who had the final say when another fine through ball from Loader found White unmarked for a simple tap-in.

BROMYARD TOWN GIRLS U12s 6,

WARNDON VILLAGES PANTHERS 2

BROMYARD U12S girls team continued their unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic victory in their league cup tie against Warndon Villages Panthers.

Initially outplayed by their opponents, Bromyard went one down, but recovered to lead 3-2 at the interval.

With the defence looking more assured with impressive performances from Michaela James and Charlotte Lloyd, Bromyard took control in the second half.

The completion of hat-tricks from striker Grace Rogers and a first ever for midfielder Natasha Merris saw Bromyard eventually run out 6-2 winners.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U10s 4,

WHITTINGTON ST PETERS U10s 1

NEWTOWN go through to the second round of the Talbot Page-Jones Memorial Shield after an excellent team performance brought their first win of the season.

The Colts started the game strongly taking the game to St Peters, putting the oppositions defence under a lot of pressure. Newtown's first goal was a fine individual effort from Karl Jennings. Ollie Bond sent Karl away down the right, he then cut inside of the defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Newtown's second goal was scored by Aaron Bray after some fine forward play from the Colts. The third was a typical striker's goal, the poacher in the box Elliot Henessey was there with the tap-in.

At half-time Newtown made numerous substitutions of which one was Ryan Sparrey, the Colts new signing who is going to be a great asset to the team. Again the Colts started strongly which produced the fourth goal of the game. Thomas Howells hit a low drive which sadly for St Peters went through the unlucky keeper's legs.

Credit must go to St Peters who didn't give up, and for the majority of the second half they were the better team. Ashlea Brewer, the Colts keeper, started to become very busy, but again was in fine form pulling off some fine saves. St Peters kept going to the final whistle which gave them their goal of the game after the Colts defence failed to clear the ball and the Jamie Hodge was there to finish.

Newtown's man of the match was Ollie Bond.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U9s 8,

WORCESTER RAIDERS HAWKS U9S 0

THE Wanderers began their defence of the George Goode Memorial Trophy with a comfortable victory.

The Wanderers started brightly, with Tom Bottomley scoring two quick and early goals and a third by Alex Spring, the Wanderers began to dominate the match. With the Raiders defending in numbers and some good goalkeeping, the score was kept to four at half-time.

A number of substitutions were made for the second half and the Wanderers maintained the pressure. Four more goals were scored with the impressive Ali Hunt moving into the centre of midfield adding two more to his own season's tally. Chris Jeffrey maintained his record of scoring in every game and Ryan Scullion also added another to his season's total.

DROITWICH SPA BOYS STARS 6,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS COLTS U9s 1

THE final score in this cup match did not reflect the growing abilities of the Malvern Colts team.

In the first half, the defensive duo of Callum Bradford and Josh Seabourne worked hard and Max Howie in goal was busy, making some good saves but the attacking strengths of Droitwich Boys Stars meant they had a four goal lead at half time.

In the second half, attacking play from Brandon Hudson and Stan Mason changed the pace and Joel Wright scored after a neatly placed corner from Stan Mason. Tom Busher harried the Droitwich midfield with a surging solo run but was brought down at the last moment. Effective headers from Myles Cunningham, pacey footwork from Harry Tawse and impressive runs from Alex Williams combined to put pressure on the Droitwich goal and the Malvern side was unlucky not to score again.

LEIGH & BRANSFORD BADGERS COLTS U9S 0,

REAL CENTRO U9S 5

UNTIL half-time the Cubs had a real chance of taking a step further along the cup trail, but Real Centro then scored five goals for a scoreline that flattered them.

During the first half there was no real difference between the sides, considering that Real Centro are from division one. In fact the Cubs probably just shaded an even first half with chances falling to Daniel Roberts and Charlie Wilce.

At the start of the second half the visitors found a way through the Cubs' defence with a good passing movement, slotting the ball home. The game could have gone either way until half way through the second half when Real Centro broke through again. Real Centro scored three times in the last three minutes as the Cubs pressed forward trying to find goals.

The Cubs are sponsored by AMB Glass.