Junior football round-up

Stratford Colts 0

TOP of the table Town overcame awful conditions and resolute opposition to take the points.

Goalkeeper Glenn Jones didn't have a save to make such was the domination of Pershore's defence and in particular the performance of player of the match Jonathan Stickler and Stratford's lack of attacking ideas.

The visitors got ten players behind the ball as often as they could and it took Town until just before the interval to break through when Owen Harrison slotted in from close range after an excellent pass from Jonathan Mather.

The second wasn't long in coming after the break with Chris Ridings and Harrison opening up the Stratford defence for the former to double Town's lead.

Pershore now "shut up shop" and a negative Stratford side was unable to make any inroads.

FC Lakeside 2,

Evesham Colts U-12 2

COLTS should have walked away with maximum points but their finishing touch deserted them.

There were many chances in the opening half but Evesham only had a goal from Lee Cresswell to look back on over their interval refreshment.

It was a similar tale after the restart when Lakeside levelled and made the visitors pay for their poor finishing.

It got even worse when Lakeside took the lead with a shot that went in off a post but Colts kept pushing forward. Again chances went begging but Sean Fensome finally found the net with a neat finish to earn a share of the spoils.

Evesham Utd Jnrs U-11 0,

Bredon Colts 4

A FIERCE shot from Dave Macey opened the scoring in a game played in atrocious conditions.

Centre half Jack Brixley's excellent header then doubled Bredon's lead before half time.

The second half followed a similar pattern with United battling hard but it was their opponents who were more adept at putting away the chances.

A fine solo effort from John Chambers made 3-0 and Manesh Madhu scored in the final minute after a goalmouth scramble.

Littleton Jnrs U-10 5, Mickleton 1

MICKLETON started the stronger in appalling weather but goalkeeper Sam Bastow repeatedly foiled them.

The opening goal came at the opposite end when Ben Johns forced his way through the defence to set up Tom Cuthbert.

Steve Edgehill then made it 2-0 with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and Littleton were three goals to the good just seconds after the interval when Matt Taylor and Ryan Clarke combined to set up Johns for a cool finish.

Cuthbert then added his second before Mickleton pulled back a goal albeit courtesy of a home defender. The four-goal margin was soon restored when Dan Keen finished of the scoring with a crisp shot.

Norton Rgrs U-13 1, Newtown 1

NORTON scored both goals in Sunday's top of the table clash.

An unfortunate own goal from a defensive header caught by the wind gave the Rangers goalkeeper no hope after 16 minutes but Norton had the better of the game in the tricky conditions.

Norton were forced to make a couple of substitutions and it took them until the 67th minute to hit back when Ashley Knight equalised.

A draw was a fair result on the day with both sides still unbeaten but Norton still on top with their rivals needing to win their two outstanding matches to catch them.

Norton striker Shane Turley was named player of the match.

Swan Lane U-10 4, Welford 2

BOTH sides made a bright start in what proved an entertaining game in poor conditions.

Swan made the initial breakthrough when Jordan Shelton fired in from the edge of the penalty area and it was 2-0 minutes later when Will Vaughan found the net.

Swan keeper Richard Higenbotham produced a fine stop to preserve his side's interval advantage that was soon increased when Sam Dunning's low shot found the corner.

A fine individual goal brought Welford consolation before Josh Craze's accurate shot from distance made it 4-1.

Welford scored a deserved second with the last kick of the game.

Campden Town Lions U-10 1, Peopleton 1

GEORGE Malone gave the visitors an early lead following a good move but they were grateful to the woodwork on two occasions as Campden's Holloway and Seys both tried their best to level matters.

The goal frame also saved Lions after they had gone close on several occasions - Malone the unlucky player - but the hosts were back on terms when Robert Burford drove the ball home.

Campden's player of the match was Jack Proctor.

Evesham Utd U-10 0, Bredon 2

VICTORY lifted the winners into second place in the table after two first half goals sunk their local rivals.

Ben Gabbett's drive from distance made it 1-0 and an opportunist effort from Josh Keen doubled Bredon's lead.

The hosts pressed strongly after the restart but numerous goalmouth scrambles failed to reap the reward of a goal.

Jon Wein came closest as the Bredon keeper clawed the ball off the line while player of the match James Morgan helped ensure United were denied a consolation.

Evesham Colts U-15 3, Worcester Colts U-16 3 (aet)

Evesham won 5-4 on penalties

SUCCESS in a penalty shootout earned Evesham a place in the next round of the Under-16 County Cup at the expense of their older opponents.

A lethargic first half display left the hosts facing an uphill task after the break when they trailed 2-0. However, they rose to the occasion and two goals from Andy Smith quickly levelled matters.

There were no further goals and, when Worcester scored their third five minutes from the end of extra time, Evesham looked to be on their way out.

They pushed forward and were awarded a penalty that was dutifully despatched to see the tie settled in similar fashion.

A Smith, S Smith, Craig and Hodges were all successful from the spot and it was left to Mark Staley to ensure a tense passage into the next stage.

Welland 2, Peopleton U-13 3

SOLID defending from Mike Bulford and Nat Bulmer and good goalkeeping by Mat Clements ensured interval parity for the visitors against a lively Welland attack.

However, the hosts took an early lead after the break but it was shortlived as Luke Radford levelled within a minute.

It was 2-1 to the home side when they sprung the offside trap but Bulmer responded with a well struck shot to level for a second time.

It was left to new signing Jack Bostock to grab the winner with an angled drive and secure the points for the visitors.

Drakes Broughton 3,

Evesham Robins U-11 10

ROBINS were flying high after this double-figure drubbing of Drakes, who never gave up.

Goals from Jamie Kerr, Joe Smith, Liam Scrivens and Merlin Winterton gave Evesham a 4-0 lead but Drakes hit back twice to give their opponents a scare.

Rauna Dige made it 5-2 at the interval and Robins added five more after the break with Kerr completing his hat-trick.

James Crenan scored twice while Smith matched that tally with a fine individual effort to rattle up double figures. Defender Chris Shephard was named player of the match.

Evesham Utd U-13 4, Vale Youth 1

UNITED came out tops in Sunday's local derby after Gareth Wolford settled the nerves with an early goal.

A fine strike from Kevin Miles doubled the lead and, after United has missed a penalty, Chris Aston pulled a goal back.

They then pushed hard for an equaliser but Evesham caught them on the break as Wolford made it 3-1. Another breakaway brought a fourth courtesy of David Cole to seal a deserved victory.

Drakes Broughton U-13 2,

Martley Spurs 4

THE home side's erratic form continued with a poor display against an in form visiting side who scored first.

Lea Miller levelled before half time and he was on target again in the second half but only after Spurs had also scored a second goal.

God passing and excellent inter-play then brought Martley a third as Drakes faded and an own goal capped a disappointing home display in which only player of the match Alex Hall and the industrious Tommy Clegg seemed capable of inspiring Drakes.