MALVERN Town U16s returned to Mercian Festival League duty this week and travelled to FC Phoenix U16s.

FC PHOENIX U16s 2, MALVERN TOWN U16s 2

Malvern started with Ryan Mansbridge hitting the side-netting on the second minute but Phoenix fought back and forced a good save from Dan Harris on 11 minutes. A minute later, Joe Blain's shot went just over the bar. On 22 minutes Phoenix took the lead but less than a minute later Malvern equalised when Joe Blain was on the end of a super corner-kick. The rest of the half saw a Josh Brentnall free-kick go just high and Kurt Doyle had a shot well-saved. On 36 minutes, a superb ball from Joe Blain found Josh Brentnall but he was unable to convert the chance.

The second-half saw Malvern on the attack and on six minutes, a free-kick from Josh Brentnall resulted in a goal-mouth scramble that was eventually cleared. On 19 minutes, Malvern were awarded a penalty and Joe Blain stepped up to calmly convert it. Matt Hutchinson hit the post for Malvern and a series of corners ensued which they were unable to convert. On 30 minutes, Dan Harris pulled off a superb save when one-on-one with the Phoenix striker. In the dying minutes of the game, a goalmouth scramble led to Phoenix grabbing an equaliser.

Malvern Town U16s are sponsored by Gas Appliance Showrooms Ltd of Malvern.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U15S 3, LITTLETON JUNIORS 1

NEWTOWN Sports Colts only managed to secure the win against a skilful Littleton team in the final few minutes of their game on Sunday.

Edwards, Jaye, White, Allison and Caffull battled hard in midfield for the Colts, but were guilty of squandering possession too readily. To their credit, they battled hard to win the ball back, which was made all the more difficult against a Littleton side who tried to play football at every opportunity. In an uneventful first-half, Scullion, Morse and Elmes were rarely troubled, though Johnson had to pull off one magnificent save shortly before half-time.

In the second-half, Budd and Buckle ran tirelessly up front but struggled to retain any quality possession. The breakthrough eventually came when Morse headed home Edwards' corner in some style. The Colts then lost Jaye through injury, reducing them to ten men, and Littleton took advantage to equalise. With time almost up, Jaye re-entered the game which allowed Allison to push on, and his own hard work created two self-made opportunities for him to grab a brace to win the match for the Colts.

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS 4, HARVINGTON 3

THIS semi-final produced yet another titanic struggle from the division's top two teams as the Juniors recovered from a two goal deficit to secure a place in the Trophy World U13s final.

Harvington opened the stronger and using the slope to great advantage, penned the Juniors deep into their own half. Quickness of play was causing the Juniors major problems as they struggled to cope with the unrelenting pressure. Juniors cracked as Downing took advantage to swoop and score. Harvington's tactic of playing early balls over the top continued to cause problems and Harvington were guilty of missing some gilt-edged chances. Slowly Juniors got into the game but found Harvington solid at the back and their keeper in dominant form. Harvington sprang the trap once more and Downing netted a second. Juniors pressed and thought they had pulled a goal back with a t Bridges' volley but the whistle had gone for a push earlier in the move. The half ended with more Harvington pressure, Kyte headed off the line and Freeman had to go full length to turn aside a free-kick.

The second half was a different story with the Juniors playing more incisive football and having clear strikes at goal. The Harvington keeper kept the forwards out with a series of fine saves but when he could only palm out a Rock shot, Turner was on hand to slot home. Juniors were winning the battle in midfield thanks to the tenacity of Bannister and with Morton creating havoc on the wing, Juniors were getting closer. A Watling effort was parried by the keeper and Turner again reacted quickest to nod home the equaliser.

Having dragged themselves back into the contest, Juniors failed to capitalise and Harvington fought back. But with five minutes remaining Bannister controlled the ball some 25 yards out and clipped it over defence and keeper to put the Juniors in front. Harvington pressed but left themselves vulnerable at the back and this allowed Morton to dribble his way into the box and his cross was inadvertently diverted into his net by a Harvington defender.

With a two-goal lead, Juniors defended too deep allowing Harvington to reduce the arrears in the final minute when Rowes took advantage of the space to score with a shot. Juniors leapt with delight at the final whistle as they secured their place in the final.

Man-of-the-match was Matt Bannister.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U9s 0, LEIGH AND Bransford BADGERS ALBION U9s 3

MALVERN'S run of good form was ended by the visitors despite the best efforts of forwards Adam Page, Michael Bacon and Aaron Boden.

Leigh and Bransford's Kyle Stimson's speed and control gave them a first-half lead and he followed up with a second after the break.

The visitors laid siege to the Malvern goal, with Max Lobo heading one off the line, only for Ben Griffin to make it 3-0.

However, Malvern began to improve in the last ten minutes and showed some strong play from Kieran Young and new signing George Perrett.

NEWTOWN COLTS U9s 1, OMBERSLEY U9s 2

THIS was an entertaining Mercian Festival Junior League match, Newtown outplayed their guests for long periods of the game and deservedly took the lead after five minutes.

Alex Doyle, who had an excellent match, crossed the ball in and Fraser Crump swept it home, giving the goalkeeper no chance. Ombersley could not cope with the pace and skill of the Newtown attack and with Ross Harness, Anders Wilson and man-of-the-match Simon Wikeley behind them, Newtown looked in full control. Newtown should have increased their lead, Ben Finch and Alex Doyle both had good shots but could not find the net.

The second-half saw Ombersley come into the game more but Newtown still had their chance to increase their lead. Ombersley equalised five minutes from the end against the run of play. The winning goal came from a corner in the last minute leaving the Newtown players totally dejected after one of their best displays of the season.

Newtown Colts are sponsored by A J Taylor.