NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS 3,

LYPPARD RANGERS JUNIORS 0

HAVING previously lost in a cup final, Newtown Sports Colts were determined to enjoy the occasion and be positive in their attitude and play in this U12s Ron Handy Memorial Shield final at Langland Stadium.

Against the breeze in the first half, the Colts took their time to settle, and Lyppard caused them one or two problems, especially with their physical presence. However, once Roskams, Scullion and Crane organised their shape, the Colts looked more solid. In these opening few minutes Johnson the Colts keeper had to come off his line several times, but other than that Lyppard were reduced to half-chances. As the half wore on, the Colts midfield of Powell, Gath, Caffull, Jaye and Edwards gained the ascendency and started to put together some good passing moves.

As the Colts stretched the Lyppard team Powell and Edwards got more possession down the wings on the wide pitch, creating several half-chances for Allison and Twinberrow up front. Towards the end of the half Lyppard nearly took the lead when, following a long ball forward, the Lyppard player ran clear but Johnson came out to force the error. Then the Colts nearly took the lead, after good work between Jaye, Caffull and Twinberrow, Powell hit a superb shot which clipped the bar.

In the second half, Elmes and Buckle came on for the Colts, and with the breeze in their backs the Colts took control of the game. With a little more urgency, the Colts had a period of sustained pressure, as Lyppard found it difficult to get out of their half. It was during this period that the Colts took the lead. Allison's shot was blocked in the six yard area, but Buckle was on hand to turn and shoot in to the bottom corner. Allison grabbed a second when he was put through to finish coolly passed the Lyppard keeper. Within another five minutes the Colts were three up when again Allison beat the off-side and the keeper, to see his shot helped across the line by a defender. Hale and Milward came on for the Colts as they looked to increase their lead. However, Lyppard battled on and could have equalised but for a superb goal saving tackle from Elmes and a fine save from Johnson.

Come the final whistle the Colts, sponsored by Alan Gath Enigmatics, celebrated a terrific team performance, capped with Roskams being named player of the match.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U13s 4,

EVESHAM U13s 3

MALVERN Town Wanderers finished their Mercian Elgar Junior League season as champions with yet another win, this time against Evesham.

Wanderers got off to a flying start when after only six minutes Paul Jordan pounced on a dropped ball by the goalie to open the scoring. Four minutes later a goal mouth melee resulted in Evesham drawing level. After some sustained Evesham pressure, which the Wanderers' defence calmly dealt with, Wanderers regained their composure and Chris Styles, Ryan Mansbridge and Luke Butler all narrowly missed scoring leaving the scores level at half time.

Within seconds of the restart Callum Campbell put Wanderers in front only for Evesham to equalise minutes later. After good saves by both goal keepers Callum Campbell battled hard in the goal mouth and was rewarded with another goal and completed his hat trick after a super over head kick from Luke Borton landed nicely at his feet. Yet again Evesham fought back to make the score 4-3 and following a foul on Callum Campbell a penalty was awarded but Wanderers were unable to convert it.

Wanderers now have a couple of weeks without any competitive games prior to their tour of Belgium.

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

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U9s 3,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U9s 1

THE last match of the season for both these sides was an evening kick off due to previous postponements.

The Wanderers could complete their first season as runners up if they won, third if they drew and fourth if they lost by two clear goals. The previous encounter was a goalless draw and a good match was anticipated by both sets of supporters. From the kick off The Wanderers attacked but were thwarted by the Colts defence. After three minutes a clever Colts break left Alex Spring chasing one on one with Colts striker Dominic Ferguson and with only the goalkeeper to beat, a last ditch tackle was slightly mistimed and the referee had no hesitation, a free kick, just on the edge of the area. Perfectly taken by Dominic Ferguson for 1-0 to the Colts.

The Wanderers started to play their normal game, passing from the back and surging runs from midfield but the Colts themselves were playing good football always looking dangerous moving forward. At one point George Herbert the Wanderers' keeper, yet again came to the rescue with a superb diving save. Just before half time after a frantic goalmouth scramble with shots bouncing off defenders, the bar and a Wanderers player Ali Hunt fired in from close range for 1-1.

After the break the Wanderers had made some tactical changes Chris Jeffrey moving out to the left and Tom Probert coming on as striker. The move paid off almost straight away with Chris Jeffrey making some outstanding runs on the left and Tom Probert holding up the ball superbly for the midfield to run onto. The Wanderers were now in control and pushing forward in numbers. After five minutes Tom Bottomley picking up a pass out of defence strode through the Colts defence and fired home 2-1.

Not over yet as the Colts persistently threatened to score but again after some intelligent passing from the defence Tom Bottomley made it 3-1 to take the runners-up spot,

Wanderers man of the match was Ali Hunt.