Junior Football

ECKINGTON Juniors started out in cup competition with their teams enjoying mixed fortunes.

The u10s made the short trip to local rivals Pershore Town. In a hard-fought encounter, Eckington ended with a 4-1 victory as Jack Green scored twice.

The u9s travelled to Crowle Searchers. A fine performance was produced with George Kirtland and Max Broothwood both finishing with hat-tricks in the 8-0 win.

Eckington u9s Eagles had a difficult away trip to Welford. The Eagles played with plenty of endeavour but made an early cup exit with a 5-1 defeat.

Evesham United Juniors u11s 2, Newtown Juniors u11s 1.

EVESHAM laid to rest one of the ghosts of last season by beating their bogey team Newtown Juniors in this tight league match, having previously lost to them in the Mercian League Cup final.

It was Newtown who got off to a great start, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to score after only four minutes.

However, Evesham did not panic but set about playing their game with some excellent football, with midfielders Sam Whyley and James Morrow linking up the forwards and defence with some accurate passing and movement.

It was Evesham who dominated the first-half, getting the equaliser through a sweeping move from left to right that saw Hari Bassi float the ball into the box, where Mat Mottram found space to finish with a close-range right footed shot.

The second-half was a tighter affair but Evesham got their just rewards for their hard work and discipline 10 minutes in when Edward Whittaker was fouled as he broke free on goal.

From the resultant free-kick, Whyley stepped up to smash in a trademark set-piece into the top corner that gave the keeper no chance. Despite some robust tackles it was Evesham that stood strong, refusing to be intimidated with man-of-the-match Mottram constantly closing defenders down and winning more than his fair share of 50-50 tackles.

Newtown pushed forward in search of an equaliser but came up against a solid defence of Bassi, Will McGarr and Matty Meynell, who was calmness personified in goal, making a number of important saves late into the game.

Evesham United Robins u12s 4, Churchdown Panthers u12s 0.

EVESHAM United Robins started slowly against a stubborn Churchdown in this cup game with the final ball just failing to get delivered. But, from a corner, Ben Ainsworth scored after the keeper had saved his first attempt. Both midfields battled hard with William Warren, James Noble and Jack Rogers working tirelessly to keep Evesham 1-0 up at the break.

The second-half started like the first with goalkeeper Josh Rogers on top form, saving on two occasions to keep Evesham in the game. Evesham slowly started gaining control, creating a string of chances. Bradley Izod fired wide and Dominic Taylor lobbing the keeper but hit the crossbar. Thomas Backx and Johnathon Robinson combined well with Robinson finishing to make it two. Evesham were soon 3-0 up when Robinson fired in his second. Jake Humphries and Harry Jacobs linked well on the right, resulting in Izod scoring Evesham’s fourth to progress in the cup.

Inkberrow u12s 4, Evesham Juniors u12s 0.

THIS was a much-improved performance against a team that beat Evesham 11-1 first game of the season.

Evesham, playing without three regulars, were unlucky not to take the lead after several good attacks and goalmouth scrambles.

The midfield of James Noble, Tom Backx and Adam Ayres dominated possession.

But, against the run of play, Inkberrow scored from a breakaway, and they doubled the lead just before the break. Two further goals from the hosts killed off any comeback.

Pershore u9s 2, Evesham United u9s 5.

EVESHAM United made it through to the next round of the cup. Evesham started well and were 1-0 up less than two minutes into the games, through JD Cole but both teams struggled with the bad weather. Pershore equalised before half-time.

Evesham took control from the start of the second-half and played some good football, scoring further goals through Chris Henderson and a hat-trick from Max Danby.

Pershore never gave up and got a consolation goal late on.

A good win with Evesham’s defence of Sam Backx, Harry Lewis and Jordan Blundell superb throughout.

Shipston Excelsior u9s 1, Badsey Rangers u9s 4.

BADSEY Rangers progressed to the next round of the cup with a fine performance, against one of the best sides in the league.

Badsey pretty well dominated the first-half through hard work and determination.

The midfield of Jake Edwards, Scott Davis, Harry Castle and Charlie Haines controlled the middle of the park, which produced chances for striker Ed Waller, also excellent defensive work by Joe Cook, Ben Underhill and man-of-the-match Mathew Farrell prevented Shipston’s attacking play.

Badsey scored first through fine finishing by Jake Edwards, and soon after increased their lead with a well-taken goal from Scott Davis.

Shipston did produce a few chances towards the end of the first-half, one in particular which culminated in a great save by captain and goalkeeper Ray George.

The second-half was much the same as the first. This saw Badsey extend their lead through Charlie Haines after a defensive mix-up by the Shipston goalkeeper.

Excelsior worked hard and a rare defensive error this time from Badsey led to a Shipston goal, which made for a nervous final 10 minutes of the game.

Badsey, however, came back again and put the tie to rest with the goal of the game.

Ed Waller was the main instigator of the move with excellent control and passing to put Jake Edwards through.

He then rounded the keeper only to see a Shipston defender slide in, pushing the ball over the line resulting in an own-goal.