Leicestershire Youth League

Weekly Reports

Match Reports 02/03/08

UNDER 18'S
Stuart Baldwin Presidents Trophy
Syston and Westfield fought out a hard fought Cup tie in blustery conditions, as they sought to reach the Semi- Finals of the President's Cup. It took only 2 minutes for the opening goal. Westfield failed to clear their penalty area , and as the ball bobbled about, it came through to 2 Syston forwards who could not believe their luck as they found they had only the keeper to beat from close range.. A complete miss-kick deceived the keeper, and the ball trickled over the line to make it 1-0. Westfield picked themselves up, and started to get back into the game, however the Syston defence stood firm with the keeper commanding in the air, and dealing with crosses confidently. Chances were rare for both teams as defences were on top, and half time was reached with the score 1-0 to Syston. Westfield started the second half in determined fashion, and it took only 20 seconds for them to equalise. Matt Hunt broke through down the right and played a neat ball through to Tom Wallace, who rifled the ball into the net to leave Syston stunned. The game then ebbed and flowed with both Teams looking for the winner in what promised to be a close match. Stuart Heathcote's long range shot clipped a post for Westfield. A Syston defender appeared to handle in the box, but Westfield had strong appeals for a penalty turned down. With 10 minutes to go, the game seemed to be heading for extra time, but Syston broke away, and it was one on one as defender and attacker tussled for the ball. As they entered the penalty area the Referee saw an infringement and awarded a penalty, which was well taken to make the score 2-1 to Syston. Westfield fought desperately for the equaliser, but Syston broke away again and won a free kick by the corner flag. The cross was headed in and with only 3 minutes to go the game looked won. However Westfield did not give up, and a long ball up field from Antony Stott looked to have caught Stuart Heathcote offside, but he raised his hands in the air to clearly indicate that he would take no part in the move, and as the keeper hesitated in coming to collect the ball, Ryan Brightwell raced in and bravely flung himself at the ball, and was rewarded as his header ended up in the net, as he collided with the keeper. There was a delay as the keeper was treated for his injury, but fortunately he was able to continue. With only 2 minutes remaining Westfield threw everyone forward, and a late free kick caused confusion in the Syston box, but they held on, and there was not enough time for Westfield to get another equaliser. Syston go through winning a hard fought game 3-2.
In the other match two teams that sit at the bottom end of the premier division squared up against each other when Queniborough took on Mowbray Rangers these two teams hadn't met since the first game of the season but the new look Queniborough were ready to get revenge after their 7-2 thumping on the opening day. The trophy gave Queniborough hope of trying to challenge for some silver wear this season and every player was up for it. With Kyle smith out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury, and Steven Mitchell being told he will miss the rest of this season, and next season due to a tear on his anterior cruciate ligament, Queniborough manager Ian Tomlinson could only alter the team sheet dramatically to account for these injuries. Captain Simon Coulthurst returned to the sticks as Tom Meridith gave the team their only striker option, and he played here previously early season. Both teams went into half time 0-0 and the first half was dull. Shortly after the break a teasing cross reached the head of the Mowbray striker who buried it into the roof of the net, as keeper Coulthurst could only stand and admire. It was then 15 minutes later when Queniborough were searching deep within to produce something, that standing-in captain jack Shaw proved his magic once again. Some fancy footwork to avoid two crunching challenges and then a bullet of a shot from 35 yards lobbed the keeper and Queniborough went crazy. After 90 minutes both teams were level. Queniborough went back out for extra time and threw all they had at the Rangers but they defended well, chance after chance came Queniborough's way but there was always somehow that the ball never found the net. Into the second half of extra time, and Mowbray receive a free kick from 30 yards out. The player drove it hard and low and keeper Coulthurst could only parry the shot, which fell to the feet of the Mowbray goal scorer, who rocketed the shot high into the net. Mowbray progress to the next round and Queniborough were gobsmacked. Another defeat in a important cup match and a knock down in team morale, although I feel the players gave it their all, they will feel disappointed and disillusioned by the defeat.
PREMIER DIVISION
After missing out on the league cup final in extra time to Syston Town last week Allexton bounced back with a win at home to Kegworth Imps. Tenant came flying out the traps and scored two early goals through Iain Willett and Arthur Choya. Kegworth fought back superbly however and made it 2-2 before the break. Within ten minutes of the second half Nathan Curtis made it 3-2 to Tenant and late on Louis Rayat made it 4-2 with a fine goal to earn Tenant a good home win.

UNDER 17'S
PREMIER DIVISION
The top two in the division both won as it adds to excitement of Finishing champions, in pole position are Birstall United Juniors With two games to play lead the table by three points from Enderby 2000 who have four to play the destination of the title Could be decided this Sunday when they both meet at Enderby's Ground, Sundays results were Birstall United winning at third place Beaumont Town 4 - 0 and Enderby 2000 winning at Coalville Town Ravens by 5 - 2. Earl Shilton Town beat Loughborough Dynamo 6 - 2 a brace from Leigh Syrett helped Town on there way, The Loughborough goals were scored by Patrick Allihn and Vijay Godhania
DIVISION ONE
With only two fixtures in the division it was a case of as sharing weekend with all four teams settling for a point Cosby United were at home to take on Oadby Owls and a goal from Lewis Jackman For the home side secured the point for Cosby, in the other fixture Quorn Juniors took on Whetstone Juniors and the game finished 1 - 1 with Daniel Beadle getting the Quorn equaliser.
DIVISION TWO
The title run in promises to be an exciting affair with no less than Three teams able to take the championship in the division Barrow Town moved into second place with their eighth win on the spin coming from a 2 - 0 victory away at Barlestone. In a wind swept tight affair Barrow had the chance to go into the interval in front from the penalty spot but the Barlestone keeper saved well from Moxom. The second half was just as tight with Barlestone making all the running and the Barrow defence did well to keep them out. The break through came on the hour when Barrow were awarded another penalty in controversial style when Lanes went down after a harmless looking challenge and this time Chris Oxford made no mistake from the spot. The second came 10 minutes later when T.J. McRoberts slotted past the on coming keeper. Barlestone never gave up and could have made a game of it but for some outstanding keeping by Stephen Onions in the Barrow goal. Kingsway in third had a much easier weekend in dispatching Huncote Dynamos back home without any points in the 6 - 1romp, Goals from Ashley Sharman, Aidan Shepherd, Luke Canavan (hat-trick) Jamie Henton with Curt Moseley getting the consolation for Huncote, Fleckney Athletic recorded a 6 - 3 win over bottom club Soar Valley with goals from Jamie Pickering, Jake Clarkson, Martin Voss, John Nelson and Sam Kelly (2). Market Bosworth lost at home to Kirby Muxloe '88 2 -1.

UNDER 16'S
PREMIER DIVISION
Syston Town are clear favourites for the championship after the latest victory away at Aylestone Park and returned home with a 2 - 1 win. Saffron Dynamo's challenge was severely damaged with drab 0 - 0 draw at third place Mowbray Rangers. St Andrews were the other team in action and This was always going to be a tough game against a quality side St Andrews started with a bare 11 due to injuries and county game commitments the first ten minutes saw St Andrews on the back foot with Rangers pressing constantly, but to no avail due to St Andrews outstanding back line. St Andrews started to take control of the game with neat football and movement. Within twenty minutes a through ball from Dan Sheehan carved open Rangers defence for Ashley Palframan to score. The second half saw a great ball by Aaron Holder allowing Micky Harris to chest it down, with a neat turn for the second goal. This was preceded by neat footwork from Callum Breen causing Aaron Holder to then score the third goal. Callum Smith wrapped up with the fourth goal. St Andrews the soaked up the pressure and kept a clean sheet.
DIVISION ONE
Leicester Nirvana need just another three points to confirm the division title after the latest results Lutterworth Juniors against Westfield Wanderers was the sole survivor of the weekend and the result went to the home team winning 2 - 1 with goals from Jefferson Woodward and Keith Sillman.
DIVISION TWO
Oadby Owls are the Champions of the division after showing some fine football in the 7 -0 thumping of Wigston Rangers Goals from Jamie Robey (hat-trick), Josh Podges brace, Jamie Paterson and Zunaid Hoque completed the route for Oadby leaving them just two game to finish a season in style. The tussle in the division is for runners up spot Quorn Juniors hold the trump card at the moment with four games to play, in the three remaining fixtures the results were all score draws with Barwell Athletic currently third sharing the points with Gilmorton Juniors in a 2 - 2 draw, Ray Ford and Dan Nwaozuzu scoring for Gilmorton and Adam Stapleford - Jones and Alex Ball for Barwell. Netherhall Diamonds drew with Friar Lane and Epworth 2 - 2 with Reece White (2) scoring for the home team. Ratby Sports could only muster a point against Shelthorpe Lions in a 1- 1 draw David Allen finding the net for Ratby.
DIVISION THREE
Harborough Town kept their recent good form going with an impressive 4 -2 win at Melton Foxes, goals from Jack Phillips, Ross Digby, Mike McHugo and Barnes Gladman did the damage for Town. Kirby Muxloe '88 could only muster a point in the entertaining draw with Kingsway Rangers goals from Lewis Reid, Joe Cassie and Joe Bolton in the 3 - 3 draw. Asfordby Amateurs Just managed to win a scrappy game by a Spencer Jones effort in the 1 - 0 win over Fleckney athletic. Second placed Countesthorpe Athletic 03 kept the pressure on leaders Highfield Rangers with a 5 - 2 win at Dunton and Broughton.
DIVISION FOUR
Queniborough Juniors are the new division four champions after Beating Whetstone juniors 2 - 0 with goals from Lewis McDermott (2), Enderby 2000 were involved in a eleven goal thriller against Shepshed Village Youth with Josh Castleman (hat-trick), Reece Preson, Stuart Kenney, Sam Cockerell and Sam Bresland in the 7 - 4 win, Kegworth Imps went one better by beating Anstey Swifts by 9 goals to nil. Mountsorrel were also winners by beating Gaunt Youth 2 - 0.