MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 6,

NORTHWAY U14s 1

THIS Mercian Festival League match started off at a frantic pace, Paul Jordan putting Wanderers into the lead after just two minutes.

A couple of minutes later Northway equalised and then on six minutes Jordan restored the lead. The play then calmed down and it was not until just before half time that Jordan claimed his hat-trick with a header from a James Lush cross.

In the second half Wanderers played some of their best football of the season. Northway had no answer to the pin point passing and fast movement. Daniel Stimson and Chris Styles both came close to scoring but it was to be Paul Jordan's day as he collected another three goals making it all six on the day.

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

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U13s 1

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 0

IT was another hard fought, close encounter when Newtown Sports Colts played Newtown Sports Juniors in an evening league match.

The Colts were dealt a blow before a ball had been kicked when Johnson, the stalwart keeper, failed a fitness test after being injured by a car earlier in the week. A reshuffled side saw Allison go between the sticks for the first 35 minutes.

The game was played at a frantic pace with neither side getting much time on the ball. With a slight breeze in their favour, the Colts had the slight edge in midfield, through Crane, Jaye and Caffull, with Edwards and Powell giving them great width.

As the game developed, so did the contest between Hale and Gilks that lasted the whole match, however, it was a foul on Hale that led to the only goal of the game. Midway through the first half, Hale ran at the heart of the Juniors defence and was brought down some 22 yards from goal.

Up stepped Powell to strike his free-kick into the bottom corner to give the Colts the lead. Buckle and Hale saw more of the ball and Hale did find the net with a terrific shot, but it was disallowed for a foul.

In the second half, Scullion went in goal and Twinberrow came on for the Colts. The Juniors pressurised the Colts, but the defence of Roskams, Elmes and Crane stood firm against the onslaught, with Allison and Milward now helping out in midfield.

The Colts had several breakways from which they could have wrapped up the game. First a Crane header brought a superb save from Spicer, then Spicer produced another double save to deny Hale and Twinberrow.

Twinberrow also saw a header go narrowly wide and Caffull had a shot that flew past the post. Mason almost snatched a late equaliser for the Juniors but his shot was straight at Scullion and it was the Colts who took the points.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12S 8, CALLOWBROOK SWIFTS U12S 1

MALVERN proved to be too strong in this first encounter between these two teams.

Bottomley and Bakothanasis constantly had the Swifts defenders on the back foot and Scullion opened the scoring with an excellent strike. With the back three of Ball, Webb and Downes rarely being troubled, and with Wren and Whittle now dominating the centre of the park, Howie opened his account when he was found in acres of space by Wren. Callowbrook got back into the game but it was short lived as Howie forced another just before half time.

In the second half Asquith began to split the Swifts defence with some well timed passes and both Bakothanisis and the industrious Johnson grabbed a brace each before Banks shepherded a loose ball into the back of the net for the eighth. Both teams played some excellent football but it was Wanderers' quick and accurate passing that won the game.

BROMYARD TOWN GIRLS U12S 1,

FC PHOENIX 0

CAPTAIN Clare Almond led Bromyard Town to a hard won victory at Delahay Meadow in a re-arranged midweek fixture against third-placed FC Phoenix in the Mercian League.

Bromyard began the match in fourth place behind Phoenix and were determined to atone for their defeat earlier in the season at the hands of their visitors.

Playing into the wind and driving rain in the first half, Bromyard's tactics were to pack the defence and midfield and look for a goal on the counter attack. Thus, for much of the first half Bromyard had their backs to the wall with defenders Hattie Huckle, Charlie Lloyd and Mickie James at full stretch and playing excellently to keep the visitors at bay.

Town tactics were duly rewarded when the ball broke to Clare Almond who went on a run down the right flank before cutting inside and unleashing a fierce drive past the Phoenix keeper to give Town the lead.

In the second half Bromyard gained in confidence and with the rain and wind this time in their favour ventured forward with more frequency and purpose. Phoenix nevertheless continued to threaten and a number of last ditch tackles were required by Hattie Huckle, Rissa Probert and Clare Almond to preserve Town's narrow lead.

With so much at stake both sides remained totally committed and neither side were about to give in. Before the final whistle both sides had chances to score.

However, no further goals resulted leaving Bromyard to take the points