Junior Soccer Scene ..

MALVERN WANDERERS 2, HALESOWEN TOWN 2

Jamie Thomas hit the post and Zeki Koral followed up for an easy tap in after some excellent work by Rob Cullen and Anthony Smith. Wanderers should have gone in at half time at least three goals up with all strikers going close.

Straight from the kick off Halesowen pushed forward and their efforts were rewarded with a goal after ten minutes when Adam Crandon kicked a ball from the halfway line, it went past two defenders and the Wanderers' keeper, who lost out to a strong challenge and the ball rolled into the net without anyone else touching it for the equaliser.

Crandon then had his second bit of luck, when his shot which was going wide was deflected into the net by Alister Fitch.

Wanderers now had ten minutes left to save their unbeaten run and threw caution to the wind and moved three players into attack. This put Halesowen under some pressure and in the last five minutes they cleared off the line at least five times. One quick clearance broke to Zeki Koral in the Halesowen penalty box, he turned and cleverly pushed the ball between two defenders only to be upended and win an injury time penalty. Captain and top scorer Jamie Thomas took control and bravely fired the ball home to level the scores. Man of the Match Zeki Koral had a chance to win it but put the ball just over the top.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 1,

CHIPPING CAMPDEN 1

NEWTOWN played their first home Mercian Elgar U14's Junior league game since October 22 when Chipping Campden were the visitors.

Campden opened the scoring on 17 minutes but Newtown equalised five minutes later when Adam Curtis unselfishly passed to Will Clee who made no mistake from close in.

Newtown kicking down the slope had a number of chances to seal the game but found A Thompson in the visitor's goal in outstanding form. Skipper Jamie Plant had two good efforts from free kicks, the one rebounding the wrong side of the post.

Newtown lost the influential Matt Ball during the second half and he could be out for a number of weeks. This draw puts Newtown into fourth place in the league with games in hand.

Man of the match was Edd Gallagher.

Newtown's next match is away against Wyvern United. Players to meet 1.30pm at Lower Howsell.

Newtown's depleted squad need strengthening with 16 league games and a quarter-final to play. If interested please call Pete Daffin on (01684) 577612.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 10,

LITTLETON JUNIORS 0

NEWTOWN Sports settled first in this Mercian Elgar Cup first round match with Craig Summers running through Littleton Juniors defence to cross the ball to Luke Fisher to finish.

Next came a cross ball by Paul Clements which was met by Matt Scott whose shot was knocked to the ground by Littleton's goalie, only to see Scott fire in the loose ball. Goal three came with only five minutes of the first half left with a nice finish by Luke Fisher.

The second half saw Newtown kicking downhill with the first goal coming from Matt Scott after a well timed cross from Craig Summers. Goal five came after Craig Summers picked up a loose ball to put himself on the score sheet. Goal six saw defender Tom Grubb launched the ball from 20 yards to leave Littleton's goalie with no chance. Goal seven came when Paul Amott lifted ball over the defenders for Craig Summers to run onto and slot home. With ten minutes to go substitute James Thomas' cross across the box was met with a superb volley by Matt Scott to complete his hat-trick. With five minutes remaining Paul Clements got his just rewards for his efforts with a superb shot. The final goal came off a deflected shot hit yet again by Tom Grubb by the elated Paul Amott putting himself on the score sheet and seeing Littleton Juniors crushed to a 10-0 defeat.

MALVERN WANDERERS 4, DRAKES BROUGHTON 1

DESPITE a late start and bitterly cold weather these two Mercian Elgar U13's sides produced a hard fought game with lots of good football.

Wanderers were soon into the attack and by the 7th minute were a goal up after a breakaway run and shot from top scorer Scott Butler. Luke Arnold in Malvern's goal was kept busy all game but produced the save of the match in the 15th minute with a fine acrobatic dive and one handed palm around the post. Four minutes later however he was wrong footed when a fine penalty from Chris Merchant put the visitors level. On the stroke of half time Scott Butler broke away again to shoot low past the Drakes Broughton keeper to restore the home side's lead.

The second half was as keenly fought but Malvern's better football began to tell and with the introduction of Craig Taylor into midfield Malvern soon increased their lead. A clever lob from Taylor gave Scott Butler the opportunity to score his third hat-trick of the season. Malvern's scoring was completed through Man of the Match Scott Butler with the goal of the game after a fine solo run and pinpoint diagonal shot.

NEWTOWN SPORTS 3,

EVESHAM UNITED 0

A COMPETITIVE Mercian Elgar U12's League match saw Newtown take all three points thus completing another double over their league rivals.

Threatening the Evesham goal early in the game Newtown should have opened the scoring but there were missed opportunities by David Reynolds and Lee Jenkins. Attacking being Newtown's forte it was no surprise when Lee Jenkins lobbed the Evesham keeper to make it 1-0. But credit was due to Tom Ferguson as his brilliant through balls caused havoc in the Evesham defence.

In the second half Newtown's keeper Tom Soley took centre stage after Mathew Lake gave away a penalty and he saved brilliantly to keep another clean sheet. Newtown then played some excellent football and Lee Jenkins' second goal was exquisite as he rounded two defenders before placing the ball in the back of the net.

With minutes left David Reynolds scored with a trademark goal rounding several players on the left before blasting the ball high into the goal finishing another brilliant performance.

Man of the Match was Lee Jenkins.

SALFORD ROVERS 0,

MALVERN WANDERERS 1

MALVERN Wanderers made their longest journey of their Mercian Elgar Under 12's Junior League campaign to face Salford.

Play was pretty even in the opening minutes until Shaun Carrey's right wing trickery found Michael Dicapita's finely timed run picking out James Philpotts who made no mistake.

Two minutes later the home team were award a penalty for apparent handball by Tom Chadney. The resulting spot kick never bothering keeper Ashley Bennett as the player blasted wide.

The second half saw the away side take the game to the visitors with the home keeper making a fine save from a Shaun Carrey thunderbolt. Kris Denslow fell to a number of dubious off side decisions as his 18 yard top corner effort was ruled out.

A fine all round battling display meant Wanderers travelled back with all three points in the bag.

Man of the Match was Shaun Carrey.

NEWTOWN SPORTS BOYS 1,

MALVERN WANDERERS DYNAMO 0

ANOTHER exhibition of quality football from these two Under 11 teams this time in the Mercian Elgar Junior cup semi-final.

As usual both teams played excellent football but neither side could break down the other's well organised defences. It took a set piece to break the deadlock when Adam Johnson rose unmarked to head home a Ricky Buckland corner.

In the second half Wanderers had to push forward and although Max White, Callum Campbell and Luke Butler ran their hearts out they could not find a way past Newtown's defenders, Lee Hammond and Ben Hardy. Meanwhile, the Boys were able to exploit the gaps appearing at the Dynamoes back with some excellent passes from Phillip Harris. As the second half drew to a close two classic pieces of goalkeeping kept both teams in the match. Adam Johnson cheekily lobbed the Malvern defenders to put Matthew Higgs through but he was denied by a superb save from Lewis Hooper in goal. This was immediately followed by Wanderers' Chris Bowen hitting a tremendous drive that seemed destined for the back of the net, but somehow Jamie Ferguson managed to palm the shot away.

MALVERN WANDERERS 1,

BROMYARD TOWN JUNIORS 1

BROMYARD Town Juniors were visitors to Sling Lane on Saturday to play Malvern Wanderers in the semi-final of the Under 11's Cup.

After having beaten Wanderers twice in the league Bromyard started off full of confidence, threatening the Wanderers' goal from the off. But with some resolute defending by George Ball and Ollie Mason Bromyard were restricted to one goal in the first half.

The second half saw the introduction of Mark Heptinstall and James Lush in to the action and some renewed effort from the home side. Half way through the half Paul Jordan made a run up the left an drove a fierce low cross into the area leaving the Town defence in disarray and Ryan Mansbridge with a simple tap in. Malvern pushed hard for a winner, so much so that they forgot about defence leaving a three on one breakaway which brought a brave diving save at the feet of the Bromyard striker that left Chris Styles with a damaged hand. With two minutes to go little Danny Stimpson returned to the field to take over the mantle of goal keeper.

With the goalies jersey down to his knees, it must have given Bromyard high hopes but little he might be but he has a big heart and made several fine saves to see Wanderers through two extra five minute halves and into a replay at Bromyard.

NEWTOWN JUNIORS 1,

NEWTOWN BOYS 1 (AET)

JUNIORS started brightly in this hard fought Under 10's Cup quarter final local derby putting early pressure on the Boys' defence.

This paid off when in the fifth minute the ball broke to the left and Dan Robinson smashed the ball home into the bottom left hand corner. Shortly after Juniors nearly added another but Stuart Johnson made a fine save from a Craig Preece free kick. The Boys then started to exert some pressure on the Junior's defence but good defending from Richard Doyle and Jack Kyte restricted their chances to just one shot which Lee Gittings volleyed over the bar.

The second half saw the Boys pushing forward and the equaliser came with five minutes remaining. After good work from Lee Gittings he found Marc Twinberrow with a neat pass who fired the ball home giving Chris Spicer no chance.

No more goals came in extra time the best effort from Juniors' Craig Preece who rattled the bar.

Man of the Match for Juniors was Richard Doyle.

Juniors are sponsored by S J Prosser & Son Painters & Decorators.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS 0,

MALVERN WANDERERS 0

LAST Saturday Newtown Sports Colts U10's entertained local rivals Malvern Wanderers in a Mercian League Cup match.

Previous league results went out of the window as the Wanderers showed a gritty performance to hold out for a draw. In particular, their goalkeeper, Jim Scullion, had an outstanding game. The Colts immediately took the game to the Wanderers and created numerous chances following good football from Wesley Powell, Tom Hale and Jacob Buckle in midfield. The Colts defence of Max Elmes and David Roskams coped well with the long ball and, apart from one goal-mouth scramble, the Colts keeper Dave Rowely had nothing to do.

The second-half continued in much the same way as the first half. Bas Edwards and Jamie Caffull came on for the Colts who played neat, passing football, but still they could not score. As extra-time beckoned, frustration led to free-kick for Wanderers just outside the area, but the kick was just wide. Louis Jones did manage to find the net for the Colts, but he had handled the ball in the build-up.

In extra-time, the Wanderers defended stubbornly and the Colts (sponsored by Cotteswold Diaries) could not find a way through.

So, the teams must prepare to do battle again in the replay this Saturday.

MALVERN WANDERERS 2,

LYPPARD RANGERS 0

GOALS from Alex Wren and Douglas Howie clinched victory for Malvern Wanderers in the semi-final of the Mercian Elgar U9's League cup.

Malvern began a goalless first half sluggishly. Their scoring opportunities were limited to a brave header from Douglas Howie and a super run and shot from Daniel Perkins. Only committed defending from Natalie Chadney, a brilliant tackle from Josh Ball and a wonderful save from keeper Ben Wheeler kept Wanderers in the match.

After the interval Malvern began to play with more purpose and they took the lead when Alex Wren rifled home a Josh Asquith cross from the right wing. Victory was sealed for the home team when Douglas Howie side footed another great cross from Asquith into the net.

Thanks go to Wanderers' team sponsors P & S Tools.