THE shirt logo wasn't the only thing new about Welland since these two teams last met at the start of the season as Welland have improved beyond recognition since then.

WELLAND JUNIORS U14S 1, MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS 2

The home side dominated the opening exchanges and were unfortunate to find themselves a goal down to a Zach Blood strike after just ten minutes. Then a momentary defensive lapse allowed Kris Denslow to pick out Zach Blood to score his second goal from six yards.

Wanderers raised their game and the remainder of the half was evenly contested but strong defensive displays by both teams limited further goal scoring opportunities.

Andy Smith came on for Welland's' captain, Joe Waldron at half time and the home team continued to play some excellent passing football complimented by some determined tackling. The pressure increased on the visitors' solid defence which held firm until Martyn Smith's well taken free kick from the left of the penalty area found Richard Pitt whose cleverly flicked header sneaked under the visitors' crossbar.

This goal clearly spurred the home team on and Wanderers found themselves increasingly on the back foot and saved by some desperate last ditch tackles.

The final whistle brought relief and jubilation to the visitors and disappointment to Welland who probably deserved a point from this entertaining encounter.

Men of the match for Welland, sponsored by Dalkia Utilities Services, were outstanding central defenders, Ollie Smith and Steve Forrester .

Man of the match for Wanderers, who are sponsored by Malvern Tree and Garden Services, was Matt Bayer.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U12s 1, MCL CLAINES 2

LAST Sunday Newtown Sports Colts lost to MCL Claines on a day where if anything could go wrong, it did.

With two long term injuries, several in their sick-beds and more absent, the Colts were potentially down to a team of 10, until at the 11th hour an 11th player turned-up. Unfortunately, this was more than the referee did, so the Colts coach was called in to deputise. Playing against a determined Claines side, the midfield of Milward, Jaye, Caffull, Crane and Powell couldn't find their shape, and the Colts were always on the back foot. Despite determined defending from Scullion, Roskams and Elmes, Claines scored mid-way through the first-half.

The Colts bucked up their ideas in the second-half but went further behind when some slack marking let in the Claines midfielder to grab their second past Johnson. To their credit, the Colts battled back and Buckle finished coolly after running the entire half of the pitch after being fed by Crane. The Colts looked for the equaliser, which nearly came with the last kick of the match when Twinberrow hit the post. It was not the Colts' day, but they can take heart from the fact that they didn't give up and tried their best.

Newtown Sports Colts are sponsored by Alan Gath Emporiums.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U12s 5,

WELLAND JUNIORS U12s 1

KICKING up the slope in the first half, Newtown found it tough going early on against a determined Welland side.

A congested midfield and appalling playing conditions made for a scrappy game but it was Newton who forced the Welland keeper, Mathews, into action when he superbly tipped over a long range effort from Butler. Newtown opened the scoring when Mason cut in from the left and drove the ball in but Mathews could only parry the ball into the path of the oncoming Gilks who knocked it over the line. Mason increased the lead when his shot crept inside the bottom right hand corner.

The second half continued much the same as the first with Newtown looking more dangerous as they kicked down the slope. Their lead was increased when Gittens slotted the ball over the line from a left sided cross. Lean grabbed Newtown's fourth when he drove home from close range and Gittens scored his second and Newtown's fifth when he fired home. Welland grabbed a late consolation goal when Forsyth's shot went in.

Newtown's man of the match was Niall Phillips.

Newtown are sponsored by Wells Joinery.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U11s 8, DROITWICH SPA COBRAS 1

AN excellent all round team performance secured victory for Newtown Sports in this U11 game.

On a sticky pitch the home side got off to a dream start when Richard Higgs scored in the first minute of the game. Newtown were the more determined side and after some good work by Dan Hunt and Chris DeBonis, Josh White found himself in space with only the keeper to beat, for a tap in to make it 2-0. Droitwich were restricted to limited efforts on the break, and one of these breaks saw Mike Roskams in the Newtown goal save well. From the lofty goal kick the ball arrived in front of Josh White, whom made no mistake for his second and Newtown's third.

The second half continued much as the first, with Richard Higgs again pushing up out of defence to score his second with a blistering shot that gave the keeper no chance. Newtown continued to attack and Louis Loader scored his first with a dipping shot that the keeper could only palm into her own net. Droitwich then broke directly from the kick off, and some sloppy defending by Newtown resulted in a goal for Droitwich. That goal gave Droitwich confidence and for the next five minutes only resolute defending by Ed Ferguson, Tom Davis and Tom Allen restricted the away team to their one goal. Newtown hit back and some excellent passing football between Dan Hunt and Louis Loader set up Andy Matthews whose shot died in the muddy goalmouth. With six minutes to go the Droitwich keeper was unfortunate to find herself stranded outside of her area with the ball beneath her legs, Louis Loader recognised her predicament, stole the ball and made it 6-1. Richard Higgs then decided to take a striker's role and scored two goals in quick succession, to make it a 8-1 win for Newtown.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U9'S 1, OLDBURY PARK TIGERS 1

A QUICK return fixture gave Newtown the chance to improve on the previous week's disappointing performance and right from the start Newtown looked in a much more determined mood as they took the game to Oldbury.

After coping well with the early pressure Oldbury made Newtown pay after a poor defensive clearance was drilled home from outside the box to put the visitors one up. Newtown fought back with Zac Buckle and Harry Wickett coming close to scoring and Oldbury went close to increasing their lead with an excellent shot that just hit the post.

The second half again saw Newtown attacking well and Bradley Heron made a fine run down the right and hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to level the scores. This gave Newtown the impetus and they continually pressed forward for the winning goal however Oldbury defended well and Newtown were unable to find a way past the Oldbury keeper.

This was an entertaining game between two well matched sides and a much improved performance from Newtown.

Man of the match for Newtown was Harry Wickett.

Newtown Sports Juniors U9S are sponsored by Parsons Dentists.