Junior Soccer Scene ...

STREETS AHEAD DINES GREEN 3

WELLAND went in search of their third straight win against a Dines Green side looking to improve on the beaten margin of eight goals when the sides last met earlier in the season.

It started well for the visitors, and within 10 minutes Dines Green took a deserved lead. However, it was all square within a minute as Welland winger Ed Wray headed home from four yards.

A deflected shot from Will Radnor put the home side ahead ten minutes before the break, before goalkeeper William Eccleston's flamboyant skills led to a scuffed kick outside his own penalty area, and Dines Green superbly capitalised by floating the ball home from all of 40 yards. Jamie Thackeray restored Welland's lead, leaving the half-time score 3-2 to Welland.

Early in the second half, Dines Green equalised again, but this seemed to spur Welland on. A volleyed goal from Saunder was followed by revenge for Eccleston, as he stepped up to unleash an unstoppable penalty, deserved after a string of outstanding saves from a lively Dines Green attack. Thackeray scored again, before an incredible eight minutes saw substitute Tom Kirby hit the net three times. Outstanding saves from the Dines Green keeper prevented a much heavier defeat, but a first class performance from man of the match Mike Oakes was capped by his chip from 25 yards.

Next Sunday, Heenans v Welland, a game in which the top two go head-to-head.

EVESHAM UNITED 4, MALVERN TOWN U16s 1

FOR the first 20 minutes of this Stourport League match Town dominated and when Lee Hooper headed in unchallenged an Alex Smith free kick it looked as if they would go on to score a hat full. However, a minute later, a gentle lob into the Town area went over keeper Dean Watson allowing Evesham's Gareth Benjamin to equalise. Just before half time slack marking allowed Benjamin to get number two.

Immediately after the restart Benjamin was allowed to run in for his hat trick. Will Murtagh then hit the post for Town and Mark Amott hit the bar. Ten minutes from the end Rob Edwards completed Evesham's scoring to make it 4-1 and end Town's undefeated record.

NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 7, ST JOHNS RANGERS 1

NEWTOWN began this Mercian Elgar Under 15's Junior League match in a lack lustre fashion and struggled to come to terms with a determined St Johns team.

They managed to take the lead on 10 minutes from an Andy Fletcher snap shot. This settled their play and a minute later Tom Bethell was on hand to score the second from close range. The third goal from the penalty spot after the dangerous James Badham was brought down with Andy Fletcher converting. It was Badham who finished the scoring for the first half.

The second half saw Newtown totally dominant but unable to convert the chances. St Johns managed to score midway through the half when Antony Lampitt, in Newtown's goal, with his first touch of the half tried to flick the ball over the opposing forward only to see it rebound into his own goal. Newtown went up a gear and further goals from Tom Bethell and Andy Fletcher, with the best goal of the day, and Tom Bethell again from the penalty spot completed the scoring.

Antony Lampitt made up for his earlier lapse with two great saves in the closing minute. Man of the match was Andy Fletcher.

HALESOWEN FALCONS 4, MALVERN WANDERERS 8

THIS match brought together the only unbeaten teams in the Stourport & District Under 15's Boys League.

Once again Jamie Thomas and Rob Cullen combined for Jamie to open the scoring after just eight minutes.

Falcons had a large centre forward who proved hard to handle and he levelled the scores. Wanderers soon went back in front when Paul Edwards won the ball and distributed wide to Jamie to cross for Neil Watts to score.

This was followed ten minutes later with a Ben Jones goal direct from a corner. Jamie got his second after some good work by Smudger Smith but Falcons wouldn't lie down and came back with their second after a defensive error. Jamie Thomas completed his third hat trick in three matches after him and Rob Cullen worked an opening together. Half time 2-5.

Rob and Jamie came together again this time for Rob to score. Falcons came back again when they lobbed the keeper from 30 yards.

Then Wanderers brought on substitutes Zeki Koral, Joel Morris and Andy Sutton and Zeki wasted no time in running on to a through ball and held off a strong challenge to score. Super sub Zeki made it 3-8 with a well struck right foot shot. Falcons still came back to get another goal to make the final score 4-8.

Wanderers are now clear at the top of the Division.

Man of the match was Rob Cullen.

LEDURY SWIFTS U14s 18, TUPSLEY PEGASUS 0

LEDBURY Swifts went on a real scoring spree with Spencer Rouse really going to town and netting five goals. Close on his heels were Adam Willis, Mat Fortnum and Martin Loveridge who all scored hat tricks. The other Swifts on the score sheet were David Crowe, Luke Taylor and Nathan Mullins. Despite the heavy conditions, the lads played some skilful football and this was a superb team effort.

Next Sunday morning the lads will face a much harder match when they travel to Westfields who are currently near the top of the table.

CHIPPING CAMPDEN 1, NEWTOWN SPORTS 4

NEWTOWN kept their unbeaten record in the Mercian Elgar Under 14's Junior League with a fine win at Chipping Campden on Sunday.

Playing neat controlled football, Newtown opened up the home defence on a number of occasions. Newtown opened the scoring on 12 minutes when, from a Rob Tyler corner, Will Clee headed home from six yards. Newtown's second came on 20 minutes when, from another Rob Tyler corner, Andy Vaughan scored with a good shot from eight yards. Newtown's third goal came when Adam Curtis hit a fierce shot form 40 yards, the keeper getting his hands to the ball but unable to stop it hitting the back of the net. Half time 0-3.

Chipping Campden came out for the second half on the attack and kept Newtown pinned in their own half for the first 15 minutes, but fine defending by Newtown's back four of Ed Gallagher, Chris Hopwood, Jamie Plant and Rob Tyler kept them at bay. Chipping Campden scored their only goal on 55 minutes and Newtown scored their fourth on 60 minutes when Adam Curtis put Will Clee clear and he blasted home from ten yards. After this Newtown missed a number of chances to increase the score line.

Newtown's man of the match was Ed Gallagher who was outstanding with some fine tackles. Newtown's manager Pete Daffin was full of praise for his team who are playing some excellent football.

Newtown's next match is at home to Dines Green, players to meet at the ground at 1.50pm.

MALVERN WANDERERS U14s 2, HALESOWEN 2

WANDERERS almost inflicted a first defeat of the season on Halesowen in this Stourport League game.

Striker Asa Smith gave the home side the lead on 15 minutes when he shot home after centre half Jack Abbotts' drive was blocked. Keeper Niall Hacking was again in superb form with a string of fine saves, before Halesowen struck two before the interval.

Man of the match, Darren Baker, was outstanding in central defence and left back, Tom Crump, had an excellent game as Wanderers strove for an equaliser. Smith hit the woodwork twice before schemer Tom Holland netted with a delicate lob to level the scores.

By the final whistle Wanderers, showing the slick team work which earned three successive Malvern League championships, looked the more likely side to snatch victory.

WELLAND JUNIORS 6, WORCESTER RANGERS 3

WITHIN five minutes Welland had given Rangers a warning of their attractive football in this Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League match when Russell Alderson broke clear and shot wide of the post.

After 10 minutes Welland went one up when Josh Kirby scored after good work by Andrew Smith. Kirby completed his hat trick within 20 minutes and Smith scored to make it 4-0. The Welland midfield of Pitt, Pleass, Alderson and Gilbert controlled the match and Welland should have scored more but the Rangers' defence and their keeper Forrest kept them at bay.

In the second half Rangers out scored Welland 3-2 with Rangers goals coming from Joe Woods. Welland kept on top with further goals from William Gilbert and the outstanding Chris Yoxall.

Thanks were given to Worcester Rangers' manager, Dave Ravell, who acted as referee for the day.

MALVERN WANDERERS 2, SALFORD ROVERS 1

Wanderers opened up this Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League match the brightest but chances created proved to be fruitless. Five minutes before half time though, Michael Dicapita latched on to a fine defence splitting ball from Matt Bayer to beat the advancing keeper with ease from eight yards out. A lapse in concentration and waiting for the half time whistle allowed the visitors to equalise.

A wake up call at the interval saw the home side step up a gear. With possession maintained, chances still went begging until the Salford keeper dropped a fierce 35 yard pile driver from Bayer and Dicapita anticipated quickest to loop his header over the shocked keeper for his second of the game. Any threat of a Salford attack was thwarted by the Wanderers defence led by man of the match, central defender Bayer.

This was a fine all round display by Wanderers with Gareth Atkinsonmaking his debut and Ben Parker playing a rare left wing role.

EVESHAM UNITED 2, NEWTOWN SPORTS 3

EVESHAM opened the scoring in this Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League fixture on eight minutes.

Newtown equalised with a headed goal from David Reynolds. Continuous pressure paid dividends in a fairly scrappy first half when Nick Zikking blasted Newtown's second high into the net.

From the kick off in the second half Newtown pushed forward and spent all but a couple of minutes menacing the Evesham defence. The best move of the match was from Reynolds, who beat no less than six players from the kick off only to be foiled once again by the keeper. Later in the game he was to score his second after good play form the workaholic Tom Ferguson whose presence was awesome. Man of the match was Tom Ferguson.

WORCESTER RANGERS 1,

MALVERN WANDERERS 2

MALVERN Wanderers recorded their first win of the season in the Mercian Elgar Under 11's Junior League with a greatly improved performance.

Goakeeper Chris Styles had returned from an extended pre-season sabbatical in Florida and with George Ball strong in defence, Wanderers did not give away anything at the back.

The first goal was scored by James Lush after some neat work from Luke Borton. There were near misses from Marc Heptinstall who hit the woodwork twice and Daniel Stimson who came close with three headers. The game was made safe by a splendid goal from Oliver Mason who charged up the field in a fine solo run.