There are mixed results for Predators teams and a thriller between Avisford and Felpham in this week’s youth football round-up.
Are your team about to win their league, or in a cup final? Send a report and team picture and give your players the credit and exposure they deserve - email steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk.
UNDER-16
Predators Youth 3 Lancing Rangers 0
If the first meeting between these two teams was anything to go by, Predators thought they would be in for a physically-tough match.
The game took a good 20 minutes to get going with none of the gusto of the previous game. Predators had the majority of the possession but failed to capitalise on it.
A throw-in saw a goalmouth scramble with Davies getting his foot to the ball to put Predators a goal ahead.
This seemed to stir them and they finally started to play some decent football. A cross from Josling found Irish, who made the score 2-0 at half-time.
The second half didn’t see Predators at their best but a flash of great passes saw Hillier score again for Predators. Predators didn’t perform to the best of their ability but they came out victors. Man of the match was Oliver.
PREDATORS: Irish, Josling, Davies, Cook, Williams, Birch, Hillier, Mouse, Oliver, Farndell, Rodway.
UNDER-14
Highdown Saints 2 Predators Youth 1
Predators Youth 1 Highdown Saints 1
Both teams went into these matches needing points to move away from the relegation zone. Predators looked more secure at the back with Connor Fellows back in goal and Josh Simmonds moving to centre-back.
They forced a corner which Ashley Butler delivered for Dominic Humphries to head home. Highdown came back strongly as both sides created chances before Highdown took the lead with two quick goals.
Predators looked to have equalised but were controversially denied by the linesman’s flag.
The second game was equally hard-fought. Predators made several early chances before Highdown took the lead against the run of play.
With time running out, Alex Burford, who had seen an earlier effort rebound off the bar, picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and lobbed the keeper for a deserved equaliser.
Predators: Fellows, Burford, Butler, Daniels, Donner, Hamilton, Hanslip, Humphries, McCabe, Simmonds, Smith, Waldron.
UNDER-NINE
Avisford Youth 3 Felpham Colts Rangers 3
It was honours even in a cracking contest at Rose Green.
Avisford have been notoriously slow starters this season, and so it proved again as Felpham took the lead two minutes in. The ball bounced kindly for Leon Schneider to stab home from close range.
The home side woke up and got their reward through a superb individual goal from Jordan Wawrzewski. The winger made a
solo run that began in his own half and finished with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
Avisford took the lead when Matt Kill pounced on a rebound for his ninth goal of the season, but with the last kick of the half Felpham equalised through an Owen Andrews near-post header.
The second half produced more drama, and Felpham thought they had won it when they snuck in behind the Avisford defence to score. But the home side grabbed a late leveller when Tommy McGinley blasted home to complete a breathless encounter.
Avisford man of the match was Jordan Wawrzewski
AVISFORD: Cummings, Jones, Green, Wawrzewski, Brian, Francis, Kill. Subs: Longley, McGinley,