Leicestershire Youth League

Weekly Reports

Match Reports 27/01/08
With the latest round of football games severely decimated due to the weather only eight game were completed in the youth league.

UNDER 18'S
PREMIER DIVISION
With a full programme for the first time this year it was business as usual at the top of the division, all top three teams won, leaders Kingsway Juniors kept the two point advantage over the ever improving Wigston United.
Another stunning performance from League leaders Kingsway. A first half hat trick from Tom Mansfield, his first, a tap in from a cross, the second, a stunning run and slotted home, and the third a shot from the edge of the box. Syston Town pulled one back after a mistake at the back. Kingsway then went on to score another two, with Teejay Smith being slotted through by Ben Bayliss and put the ball in the back of the net. The 5th came from Captain Callum Wright, a simple tap in after all the hard work from Tom Mansfield. The last of Kingsway's goals came from Rob Edwards, taking his scoring to 6, an impressive 4 in 3 games. Syston's last goal came after a mistake from the debutant in goal Ashley Metcalf, transferred from Wigston United, after a sloppy kick out to the Syston striker on the edge of the box.
Second placed Wigston United won on their short travels at A C Wigston recording a 2 - 1 win with Dean Wade on target for Wigston. Mid table Westfield, playing in their first League game for 9 weeks, against Kegworth Imps, produced their best display of the season, resulting in 2 hat-tricks, and the biggest winning margin for the team so far. Westfield signaled their intent in the first minute, when Stuart Heathcote burst through, and only a smart stop from the keeper prevented a goal. However, it wasn't long before the same striker scored 2 goals in 2 minutes, to put Westfield on their way, both tucked away into the right hand corner following neat approach play. Strike partner Ryan Brightwell then got in on the act, his first shot from a cross was well saved by the keeper, but he made no mistake from the rebound, lashing an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner, which almost broke the net. Player of the match James Hancox then came up for a corner, and when it came in, he was first to the ball, to put home a powerful header, and put Westfield 4-0 up at the interval. Kegworth came out for the second half determined to make amends, making several promising attacks, however keeper Marvin Haas was in good form, with some good handling and shot stopping. Light relief was provided when a Jack Russell puppy invaded the pitch, and with its owner nowhere to be seen, it managed to evade capture for several minutes before play could restart. Brightwell then got his second with another great shot, and Westfield regained control. Alex Tustain and Heathcote both thought they had scored, but were given offside. Heathcote then scored his 3rd hat-trick of the season, slotting home from a neat move. Tustain then burst through again and seeing the flag raised for offside stopped his run and allowed the ball to run out of play, when he could easily have tapped in, only to realise that the Referee had over-ruled the linesman, and allowed play to continue. Not to be outdone, Brightwell then secured his hat-trick, his second in 2 games, after bursting through and steering the ball into the corner. Tustain then finally got his goal, rounding things off with a great run before curling his shot into the top right hand corner.
Third place Quorn Juniors just edged out Allexton & Tennant will a Will Richards strike separating the teams. Queniborough got their second win of the season against the team one above them in the league. From the start it was evident that Queniborough were determined to go all out for the win. Their style of play was calm and well structured as they managed to keep their formation and marked Gilmorton very well. Because both teams had a hunger to win, the first half seemed very stagnant with little work for either keeper, although Queniborough did have some near misses. Gilmorton did little to tax the Queniborough Keeper for the whole of the first half. Within ten minutes of the second half Queniborough's first goal was scored by Steve Mitchells with a stunning left foot shot. Gilmorton's keeper made a gallant attempt to save it but the speed of the shot flew by his outstretched arm. This goal was followed ten minutes later by a 30 yard smash shot from Nathan Payne. Gilmorton started to loose formation and Queniborough became energised putting in their best game of the season. At 75 minutes Gilmorton pulled down Ford Taylor in the box, leaving him with an ankle injury, which lead to a penalty being awarded. The penalty goal was taken by Captain Simon Coulthurst and was carefully placed in the bottom right corner, sending the keeper in totally the wrong direction. 3 - 0 Manager Ian Tomlinson kept their energy going and Queniborough had the opportunity to score another two or three goals but the final score was 3-0 to Queniborough. Both teams played a good match but it was Queniborough's best match of the season which showed the potential all the players have. Let's hope they are now at the beginning of a winning streak and that more positive results are on the way because this team always manage to give their all and deserve to be higher than they are in the league. This win though does take them off the bottom.

UNDER 17'S
PREMIER DIVISION
With only one fixture in the division it was left to Measham welfare to dent Beaumont towns title aspirations by inflicting only their third defeat of the season with goals from T Birch and D Thomas in the 2 - 1 win
DIVISION ONE
Barwell Athletic was the only winners in the division after just edging out Cosby United 2-1 the home side's goal was scored by Ryan Ellington. Loughborough F C Youth and Whetstone Juniors fought out a drab 0 -0 draw. Leaders Melton foxes are now eight point clear of the chasing pack after the demolition of Friar Lane in recording a 5 - 1 win, Melton Foxes made it ten out of ten in the league with an away win at Friar Lane to strengthen their position at the top. Foxes made an excellent start taking the lead within two minutes, Scott Gathercole threading the ball through to Jack Woodhall who crossed for Mark Tinsley to flick the ball past the keeper. The lead was doubled when Scott Gathercole hit a free kick from thirty yards which flew into the top corner of the net A mix up in the Friar Lane defence allowed Mark Tinsley to score his second of the game just after half time. Mark Tinsley then completed his fourth Hat-Trick of the season taking his goal tally to twenty in all competitions; Jack Woodhall supplied the cross, Will Keightley heading the ball back across the area to Tinsley who squeezed the ball inside the post. Luke Smith scored goal number five after Gareth Fare's good run and cross into the area.
DIVISION TWO
Fourth placed Barrow Town kept the pressure on their main rivals with a 4 - 1 win away at Fleckney Athletic. The first goal came after only 2 minutes when Tom Rye fired in and just four minutes s later it was 2 - 0 when a great through ball by Staniforth was picked up by Oli Humberstone who ran 40 yards to calmly beat the keeper. The third goal came after 32 minutes when following a partially cleared corner Aaron Collin volleyed into the top of the net. Number 4 came after 36 minutes when good link up play between Staniforth, Lanes and Rye finished with Ryes shot taking a deflection of a defender and going in. Barrow finished the half on top with numerous chances going to waste. Barrow took their foot off the gas in the second half and Fleckney enjoyed their fare share of play without creating many chances where as Barrow continued to attack the Fleckney goal and only poor finishing and good goalkeeping from the Fleckney keeper kept the score down. Fleckney pulled one back in the 88 min after a mix up in the Barrow defence through Jamie Pickering. Second placed Lutterworth failed to capitalise on the chance to regain top spot in the league. Despite creating numerous chances it took until seven minutes from the end of the game before the home side broke the dead lock. A rare goal from full back Cameron Rhind who connected with a powerful shot across the face of the goal into the roof of the net. Just when Lutterworth thought the points were secure in this competitive local derby; a defensive lapse of concentration from a free kick lead to Oliver Goodwin pouncing on a lose ball in the box, to fire home for Gilmorton in the last minute. Barlestone St Gyles were the biggest winners of the by recording a 9 - 0 stuffing of Soar Valley and Kirby Muxloe '88 won 4 - 0 away at Huncote Dynamos Kingsway Rangers stay in third after beating Market Bosworth 3 - 0 with goals from Kieran Fogarty (2) and James Shipperley.

UNDER 16'S
PREMIER DIVISION
Leaders Syston Town have a four point gap at the top after despencing rivals Loughborough Dynamo 1 - 0 with a Jamie Allen winner,It was a case of 'nearly, but not quite' as a much improved Loughborough Dynamo lost a closely fought and frenetic contest with league leaders, Syston Town. Syston pinched a goal just after half-time when Loughborough declined two invitations to clear their lines from an unnecessary free kick given away on the left flank. Both sides smothered the midfield working hard to close down any space. Connor Bennett and Abdul Munaim were particularly industrious in the middle supported by Alex Brandford. Joe Major posed some interesting questions of the Syston centre backs when Loughborough found an outlet with the ball over the top but too often his own question of 'where's the support?' went unanswered. The play ebbed and flowed for much of the first half with Syston having more of the play and the only real chance, on thirty-three, minutes when Chay 'The Cat' Carter tipped a glancing header around the post to prevent what would have been a certain goal. The second half proved to be just as energetic as the first with Syston getting the boost of the goal on forty-four minutes and going close again on fifty-four when Loughborough made a meal of a goalmouth clearance. Loughborough responded through a strong shot from Bennett which saw the Syston keeper fail to make the low catch and fumble the ball onto an inconveniently situated goal post. Syston countered just failing to get someone on the end of a ball that glanced the post and then forcing Loughborough's John Watson to head off his own line into Carter's hands. Loughborough were now throwing men forward and Major headed just over the bar on seventy-three minutes from a Sam Russell throw-in. The last roll of the dice came on seventy-six minutes when Syston conceded a foul on the edge of the penalty area and Phil O'Mara found the keeper's hand with the resulting free kick and saw the ball tipped over the bar.
DIVISION ONE
New leaders Leicester Nirvana completed there eighth win of the season with a 4 - 0 win at Ibstock Youth , second placed Narborough & Littlethorpe could only manage a point in a 0 - 0 draw ay Wigston Youth.
DIVISION TWO
Leaders Oadby Owls are now seven points clear at the top after beating Rothley Imps 7 - 2 with goals from Josh Podges (2), leading scorer Jamie Robey (hat-trick), Dale Scott and David Fellows, forth placed Ratby Sports were left without a game due to unplayable pitch witch left Barwell Athletic the chance to close the gap, they made no mistake with a thumping 7 - 0 win goals from Thomas Caron (2), Adam Stapleton-Jones (2), Ben Spicer, Glenn Seal and Alex Ball to complete the rout. Forth placed Gilmorton came a cropper after going down 3 - 0 to Friar Lane & Epworth goals from Ryan Rowley, Nathan Brown and Mason Bradshaw.Shelthorpe Loins recorded there forth win of the season after beating Woodgate '80 3 - 1 goals from Levi Fray, Satish Mistry and Michael Buccheri.
DIVISION THREE
Eight points is the difference the chasing pack have to make if theirs going to be a challenge at the top after Highfield Rangers narrow win over Harborough Town 2 - 1 the final score after Rafael Guerrioro scored a double in the win, Second placed Raynsway Rangers went down 4 -2 to Ibstock United with Chris Clarke, Adam Lane , Oliver Meadows and Mitchell Martin finding the net, Third placed Countesthorpe Athletic '03 won away at Asfordby Armatures with a 4 - 2 scoreline Spencer Jones and Connah Hunt scoring for the home side, Friar Lane Juniors beat Melton Foxes 2 - 0 with goals from Liam Butlin and Samuel Jayes, Dunton & Broughton could only share the point in their game with Kingsway Rangers, Tom Harris and Alan Button netting for Dunton.
DIVISION FOUR
Leaders Queniborough Juniors are now twelve points ahead of the field After scrapping past Birstall United with a 1 - 0 win, second placed Whetstone Juniors kept there wins going with a 3 - 1 win at Enderby 2000 goals from Joe Marlow , Mitch Leedham and Mitch Torr , SamCockerill getting the consolation for 2000, Anstey Swifts won away at Mountsorrel Juniors with a 1 - 0 win and Loughborough F C Youth won 3 -1 at Shepshed Village Dean Peal in target for the Village , Kegworth imps won 2 - 0 over Gaunt Youth with Martin Murray and Adam Stallard getting the goals.

COUNTY CUP
Countesthorpe made it into the semi finals after these two teams provided a real cup classic with drama galore, eventually being settled late in extra time. After an even opening the deadlock was broken on 30 mins when Liam Bradley rifled home from the edge of the box to put Countesthorpe 1 up , the lead lasted less than a minute when Athletic old boy Sam Coxon benefited from some hesitation in the Athletic defence to head home. Saffron played some tidy football early in the second half and began to dictate, but could not make the breakthrough. With 10 minutes remaining Countesthorpe thought they had taken the lead forcing home a corner, but the referee had already blown for a penalty, but to Athletics' disappointment the penalty was drilled wide. Then with stoppage time approaching Charles Butler superbly tuned and volleyed into the top corner to spark joyous Countesthorpe scenes. But yet again 60 seconds later Coxon popped up at the far post to drill home and send the tie into extra time. Half way through the first period of extra time Dynamo were awarded a penalty, but as before the spot kick was unsuccessful with Matt Farthing pulling off a fine save. But with penalties looming deep into the second period Athletics' Josh Peel swung in a viscous corner, which found its way into the far corner of the net without anyone getting a touch to break Saffron hearts. well done to both sets of players for providing an excellent game played in a competitive but fair spirit. Mowbray Rangers join Countesthorpe after beating Burbage Old boys 3 -2 and Saffron Dynamo make the last four after disposing Aylestone Park 1-0.