WELLAND continue to improve as the season progresses and this match proved to be another stepping stone in their development.

WELLAND JUNIORS U14s 5, OMBERSLEY COLTS 1

The home side dominated play throughout this encounter despite the visitors taking an early lead against the run of play.

However, Welland's domination began to pay dividends when the Colts defence succumbed to incessant pressure conceding a penalty ten minutes before the interval which Martyn Smith blasted home to ensure honours were even at half time.

During the second half Welland's superior football kept the visitors in their own half for large parts of the game and on the occasions when Colts managed to breach Welland's solid back four they came up against a keeper who's really in form, Sean Jenkins.

Richard Pitt, ably assisted by his striking partner, Russell Alderson, twisted and turned through the visitors' defence time and again and scored a magnificent hat- trick. Substitute James Ridley finished the scoring with a great strike from a Martyn Smith corner.

Man of the match was Rob Smith.

MALVERN UNITED U14 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 4

THE very first local derby between newcomers Malvern United and league and cup champions Malvern Town Wanderers took place before a good crowd at Sling Lane.

Wanderers, as expected, started well and took the lead after 10 minutes when Zach Blood scored from close range. From then on they piled on the pressure but with some fine saves from United keeper Alex Jenkins and good defence work from the battling Craig Philpotts they were denied any more goals in the first half.

Lee Jenkins came close for United when he latched on to a Liam Harford cross and sent a low driving shot that beat the goalkeeper only to be denied by the upright.

Two minutes into the second half and Wanderers got their second when Luke Arnold rifled home. Andy Nolan and Tom Ferguson worked hard for United in midfield to try and contain the continuing tide of attack from the Wanderers forwards but to no avail. With United's defence in disarray it was no surprise when Wanderers got two more goals before full time through Tom White.

Man of the match for United was Tom Ferguson.

Man of the match for Wanderers was Tom White.

Malvern Town Wanderers are sponsored by Malvern Tree & Garden Services.

INKBERROW EAGLES U13s 3,

NEWTOWN SPORTS U13s 5

A DISJOINTED second half display by Newtown against lowly opposition did not prevent them getting back to winning ways.

On a difficult sloping pitch, Newtown made several early chances but were stunned when a speedy Inkberrow counter-attack left them 1-0 down. Normal service was quickly resumed as tidy build-up play and a great pass by Lee Hammond put Adam Johnson through to equalise. This was soon followed by Mark Holbrow tapping in at the far post and a neat flick by Jamie Ferguson setting up Phil Harris for a clean strike to make it 3-1. Well-timed tackles by Kurt Doyle denied Inkberrow's forwards as Newtown gained confidence and Chris Bowen scored a fourth just before half time.

Newtown felt confident enough to rest top scoring strikers, Ferguson and Johnson at half time to try a new strike duo of Jeynes and Bowen. As Newtown struggled to adjust Inkberrow took full advantage and scored two quick goals.

Newtown gradually restored some shape to their game due to the hard work of midfielders Hammond, Harris and Tighe. Nerves were finally settled when another fine shot by Harris restored a two goal advantage. Despite further chances Newtown were unable to boost their goal difference.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U13s 12,

WARNDON BOYS U12s 2

AFTER their victorious epic encounter the previous week against local rivals Newtown, Wanderers relaxed against inexperienced opposition in the Mercian Elgar League.

Several players were not in their usual positions but still proved their footballing skills - none more so than Ted Grizzell at centre forward who picked up a hat trick in the first half.

Jack Higgs set up a goal for James Lush then scored himself with a magnificent strike. Luke Borton joined in with two well taken goals.

In the second half Max White took over up front and with excellent support from Luke Butler and Ryan Mansbridge claimed his hat trick.

Although several chances went begging both Jack Higgs and Daniel Stimson also scored. Towards the end of this one sided match Wanderers became casual and gave away two well taken goals on the break.

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

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12s12,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12s 1

WITH Malvern Town Wanderers starting the game with ten players it came as no surprise that Newtown dominated the game from the start.

However with Kyle Gibbs in fine form in goal for Wanderers and some brave defending it was 15 minutes before Newtown scored the opener, a fine volley from Oliver Lean. The floodgates opened then and goals from Josh Butler (2), Steven May, Steve Gilks and Nathan Edwards gave Newtown a comfortable lead at half time.

The second half saw Wanderers up to full strength but with conditions worsening the game became a bit scrappy. Butler scored another to complete his hat trick and Steve Gilks added two more to complete his hat trick. Edwards added another before Wanderers scored a consolation goal through Jack Boffey. The scoring was completed when Lee Mason scored two superb long range efforts.

For Newtown Steven May on the left and Steve Gilks on the right had excellent games.

Newtown are sponsored by Wells Joinery.

Newtown Sports Juniors U11S 3,

Lyppard Rangers U11S 0

NEWTOWN started this U11 game in an attacking mood and in the the first minute Louis Loader had a shot which the keeper did well to collect.

Lyppard's defence came under further attack and after four minutes Louis Loader opened the score for the home side with a shot that the keeper was unable to reach. Lyppard started to get into the game, but defenders Ed Ferguson and Tom Davis stood firm.

A cutting pass from Tom Davis to Andy Matthews nearly put the home side two goals up, but the keeper saved well. For ten minutes it was end to end football, Lyppard forced a cracking save from in form Chris Reynolds in the Newtown goal. After twenty minutes a perfect pass from Dan Loader put Chris DeBonis free, but a sandwich challenge from two defenders brought him down in the box for a penalty. Newtown missed the penalty but made up for it four minutes later when Don Loader crossed for Chris DeBonis to score off the keeper's legs. The second half continued with Newtown playing good passing, attacking football and with ten minutes left, a telling pass from Dan Hunt found Chris DeBonis, whose shot rebounded off the keeper, into the path of Andy Matthews, who slotted the ball into the net, for a deserving 3-0 win to the home side.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U9S 2, WARNDON VILLAGE BEAVERS 1

NEWTOWN entertained previously undefeated Warndon Villages Beavers in what turned out to be a thrilling and entertaining match.

The first half was a even affair with both teams playing attractive football. Sam Parsons in the Newtown goal was again looking assured and the defensive pairing of George Rhodes and Marc Ziegler were in fine form.

The second half started with Newtown enjoying more of the possession and the tireless Harry Wickett was beginning to dominate the game in the Newtown midfield. Newtown took the lead when a George Parsons cross was turned in by Rowan Standish-Hayes. Newtown continued to play some good football and increased their lead with another goal from Rowan Standish-Hayes. Harry Wickett came close to adding a third goal with a long range effort that went just over the bar. Warndon responded with some good attacking play and Jack Dent scored with a fine strike. This prompted a tense final few minutes with Warndon pressing for the equaliser but Newtown defended well and finished the game with both points

Harry Wickett was the Newtown man of the match.

Newtown Sports Juniors U9s are sponsored by Parsons Dentists.

KAY BROADHEATH 1,

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U12s 0

SOMETHING had to give as the only two unbeaten teams in the league met at the Cinderella Sports Ground in this Mercian League game.

It was Kay who started the brighter, as the Colts found it difficult to get their passing going, however the Colts defence stood firm. As the half progressed, the Colts gradually got themselves into the game as they gained the upper-hand in midfield to put pressure on the Kay goal. However, it was Kay who grabbed the only goal of the game on a breakaway. The two Kay forwards linked well as one made a strong run down the right and his cross managed to find his striking partner who squeezed the ball into the net pass the hapless keeper. The Colts responded well but couldn't find any openings as the half drew to a close.

In the second-half, the Colts attacked the Kay goal straight from the kick-off. This was the Colts best spell of the match as they enjoyed great possession but just lacked that final ball. Several opportunities fell the Colts way but as the minutes ticked away the Colts tired and Kay finished strongly at the final whistle. This was a terrific game by both teams and the Colts were a little unlucky not to come away with a point, but they can feel proud with their performance.

Newtown Sports Colts are sponsored by Alan Gath Enigmatics.