26/3/04 - Junior Soccer Scene ...

THE weather had a big part to play in this local derby but it was the home side that made best use of it.

The opening phases of the game were evenly contested but it was a clinical finish by midfielder, Russell Alderson that put Welland ahead after just 10 minutes. Playing down the slope and with the wind gusting at their backs the visitors began to use it their advantage with lofted balls over the defence and it wasn't long before they equalised with a firm shot from the left.

Encouraged by the goal the visitors went looking for another and only minutes later they got it. Welland hit back with a lob by captain Joe Waldron from within the area which the wind helped on its way over the advancing keepers' head and into the net.

In the second half Welland took full advantage of the conditions which helped them contain United in their own half for much of the second period. The visitors' keeper, Gareth Atkinson coped well under increasing pressure but it was no surprise when Welland took the lead with another superb strike by the excellent Russell Alderson. But for some goalkeeping heroics and last ditch defending the home side could have gone further ahead from a series of well taken corners by Mark Hopcutt.

Welland's solid back four and ever alert keeper Scott Walker ensured Welland maintained the lead and it was from good play by them that led to Welland's fourth struck home by the irrepressible Joel Hobbs. Welland continued to press forward and excellent interplay by Guy Habbitts, Jon Stone and Russell Alderson led to Welland's fifth goal scored by Guy Habbitts.

Man of the match, sponsored by Jane and Ian Forrester, was Russell Alderson.

BREDON COLTS U15s 0,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U15s 5

DESPITE the recent weather conditions, Malvern Town Wanderers were welcomed with a warm day and hardly a breeze as they visited Bredon Colts at the Army base.

It was the away side who stormed ahead as early as the fourth minute as Jon Mealing rose above the home defence to head home powerfully from Zach Blood's pin-point free kick. Quick thinking from keeper Kris Denslow caught the Bredon defence napping as his long clearance picked out Jon Mealing who cleverly rounded the keeper for number two. Jon Mealing then completed his hat-trick firing home from close range.

Zach Blood's accurate left foot corner was met by Luke Arnold at the near post who made no mistake with a firm headed finish to claim number four.

The score was completed as a well executed free kick between Scott Roberts and Matt Bayer saw Matt Bayer hammer home from distance for number five.

NEWTOWN SPORTS U15S 4, MICKLETON U15S 2

NEWTOWN started the game with good attacking football and had the visitors pinned back in their own half.

Mickleton's keeper was at hand to collect a menacing through ball by Lee Jenkins to thwart Craig Philpotts. Then a good run and cross from Matt Gregory on the right was again taken by Mickleton's keeper. Within minutes a great piece of footwork saw David Reynolds shrug off two challenges before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards. This was not only an exceptional goal but probably the best Newtown had seen all season. Mickleton soon levelled when the striker latched on to a good through ball. Newtown created several more chances before the break and Joe Ball and Craig Richard's dealt with Mickleton's attacks.

The second period was again all Newtown and with the wind behind them kept the opposing keeper busy. John Hadley and Chris Packer fed their forwards well and it was Chris Packer's run which lead to Lee Jenkins penalty goal when he was uprooted in the box. Newtown's fourth was again a penalty when David Reynolds was floored by the goalie after receiving the ball from Nik Zikking. Newtown's captain and penalty-taker Lee Jenkins sportingly gave David Reynolds the spot kick to get him a well deserved hat-trick.

Man of the match was Chris Packer.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 3,

WESTBURY BOYS U14s 1

WITH the advantage of the elements behind them in the first half of this Mercian Festival league match, Wanderers only scored two goals and for long periods of the second half that did not look to be enough.

But then Ryan Mansbridge made the game safe with a superb solo run and finish with only five minutes left.

Wanderers started the match well with plenty of possession and probing movement. After ten minutes Luke Butler's accurate pass found Ryan Mansbridge in space and his shot beat the excellent Westbury keeper. Five minutes later Dan Stimson increased the lead after neat play in the penalty area.

In the second half Wanderers had to defend tenaciously as the game was almost exclusively in their half. Westbury quickly got a goal back and only cool defending from Ted Grizzell, Lloyd Merrick and Marc Heptinstall and two breathtaking saves by keeper Max White kept their opponents out. Calum Campbell, James Lush and Paul Jordan tackled hard in midfield and then the third goal settled the spectators' nerves.

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

KAYS BROADHEATH 2, WELLAND JUNIORS U13S 3

THIS was a landmark victory for a hard-working Welland team as in the four previous games against this opposition they had scored one goal and conceded 22.

The match was played in dreadful blustery conditions and Welland made full use of the elements to take a 2-0 half-time lead, goals coming from Cathal McTernan and Nathan Budd. It did not look as if it would be a big enough lead but an excellent third goal from Rob Graney gave the visitors a great chance of victory. Kays inevitably fought back, creating several good chances and taking two of them. Welland hung on grimly towards the end but were not to be denied a deserved win.

In a real team performance, all the Welland players performed well on the day but special mention must go to goalkeeper Barton Mathews, defenders Josh Lewis and James Allen, midfielders Stuart Davison and Ed Haynes and the new striking partnership of Graney and Budd.

Man of the match was Nathan Budd.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12S 5,

DROITWICH SPA COBRAS 0

BOTH teams had to play hard against blustery weather conditions which made the ball difficult to predict.

Although Droitwich put early pressure on Wanderers, reliable goalie Ben Wheeler and defenders Chris Webb and Charlie Titmuss made sure that no goals were conceded. The home team's improved and accurate passing kept control of play and Alex Scullion played a key role. A new Wanderers' formation proved successful and the first goal came as Alex Bakathonosis struck home a rebound. Alex Wren and Max Whittle kept up the midfield pace and hat-trick hero Alex Bakathonosis closed down the attacking play twice more before half-time.

In the second half, Tom Banks and Josh Ball produced a solid defence which kept the visitors at bay. Josh Asquith netted the fourth from a powerful shot and Douglas Howie completed the goal tally, placing it past the keeper from close range.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U11s 2,

BREDON COLTS U11s 0

NEWTOWN Juniors triumphed to maintain their push for league honours but it was the Bredon keeper who took the plaudits after a brilliant performance.

Juniors were quickly into their stride with neat short passing in an attempt to negate the gale force side wind. They were rewarded after five minutes when a defence splitting pass from Bridges was met first time by Morton and nestled into the bottom corner. The lead was doubled three minutes later when Watling cruised past the defence and laid the ball off to Turner who easily scored. Newtown totally dominated proceedings but were foiled time and time again by the brilliance of David Padfield in the Bredon goal.

The second half saw more Newtown pressure and in the space of two minutes Padfield produced four wonder saves to keep his side in the game. With time running out Bredon became more adventurous and almost pulled a goal back but the ball whistled just wide.