Ludgershall Sports Youth Results 23/11/08

Redlynch & Woodfalls U13: 4  v  Ludgershall  Sports U13: 5

After last weeks defeat by Redlynch, Sport's U13 were determined to reverse the result and end their losing run. In a very eventful first half Ludgershall went two up, both goals scored by an inform Luke Bates, The home team rallied  and pulled back to level the score, but a Chris Scott strike just before half-time sent Sport's off in high spirits. The pitch was heavy, and the ground staff had been spiking the pitch prior to the game to make it playable, this combined with the freezing conditions made for testing match.

With the slope of the pitch in their favour Redlynch were quickly level and stunned Ludgershall with a fourth to take the lead 4 - 3 for the first time in the game. No surrender from a defiant Sport's squad who worked hard throughout,  and despite playing uphill pushed forward in search of the equaliser.Their  reward came half way through the second period as Chris Scott grabbed his
second  to again level this fascinating match. Man of the Match Kyle Peel put in his  best ever performance, and was especially commanding in the air. With ten  minutes to go Aston Davies fired in direct from a free kick to restore the  visitor's advantage. This was Ludgershall's finest performance, as the whole  team worked hard for each other, and proved to themselves they have the 
capability to hold their own in this division. They hung on for the last ten minutes to claim a justly rewarded 5 - 4 victory. Supporter's Player of the Match was Aston Davies.

The most pleasing aspect of the victory was the referee's comments to manager Tony Britten and coach John Davies after the game, ' Sport's teams are a joy to referee, all decisions are accepted by the players and there is never any descent or rudeness', a credit to Ludgershall Sports Youth division.
 
Durrington Rangers U11: 7  v  Ludgershall Sports  U11: 3

The conditions at the Holders Road pitch were awful as the rain and wind blew in off The Plain. In the first half Sport's were rampant as chance after chance came their way. An Arthur Robinson effort from a corner passed the wrong side of the post, then a Ryan Proud through ball was latched onto by George Heard who fired wide. All Ranger's early ventures forward were met with by a capable defence of Cullum Bannerman, Nathan Collins and George Robinson, and Keeper Curtis Topham. Daniel Keel was in commanding form down the right flank and a sublime speculative shot again went wide. The barrage continued as next
Michael Rowley and Sam Walsh saw their efforts thwarted. The team were in splendid form, but totally against the run of play a through ball down the left was met by an outstanding Ranger's winger who ran at the defence, cut in and fired past keeper Curtis Topham, with their first real effort. Durrington's defence calmed Sport's attacks and played the off side trap well, this was broken by Nathan Collins who picked up the ball just inside the home half and ran at the opposition only to be felled in the box. Up stepped Sam Walsh to take  the responsibility for the resulting penalty, only to see his spot kick sail  over the bar. Despite the set back Sport's continued to press forward, Adam  Hetherington's jinxing run and substitute Dan McKeown tested the home teams
resolve. The last action of the first half was a Ryan Proud effort which again  went wide, maintaining Ranger's 1 - 0 interval lead.

The second half had Sport's playing into the wind and the persistent rain was coming in horizontally, but showing good resolve in the difficult conditions George Heard finally hit the back of the net, smashing the ball under the out-rushing keeper. With conditions in their favour Ranger's took full advantage  as they caught Sport's flat footed, and playing wide down both wings found the back of the Ludgershall net four times. Sam Walsh came back on and quickly  scored Sport's second only to see it quickly cancelled out with a Durrington  reply. Ludgershall never gave up hope and a true strikers goal by Sam Walsh cut  the deficit to 6 - 3. Wayne Ashton and Arthur Robinson were tireless, but with  Sport's chasing the game they were again left exposed and Ranger's had the last  say near the end to seal in the end a comfortable 7 - 3 victory. Sport's were  left pondering what might have been if some of their numerous first half chances  had been converted. 

Durrington Rangers U9  3  v  Ludgershall Sports  U9  1

Top of the table Durrington Rangers secured the points but a determined squad of Sport's youngsters pushed them all the way. In awful conditions of rain and a biting cold wind both teams deserve praise for their commitment to this match. Keegan Gale played a masterful role in central midfield, but all Sport's  efforts could not prevent a capable Ranger's team taking a 2 - 0 half time lead.  The second half proved very even as Jack Fox scored Sport's consolation goal,  equalled by Durrington for a final 3 - 1 victory. Sam Mills and Sam McKeown were  in fine form, and second half replacements Josh and Charlie Pike stamped their  mark. Ranger's managers comments to coach Dave Pike at the end was he couldn't  believe that a team who play so well are languishing at the foot of the table.  This was a splendid effort by Ludgershall's youngsters and if the team can  continue in this form it will not be long before results swing their way. Man of  the Match was Tommy Willard.


Ludgershall Sports U15: 5  v  Kempshot Kestrels  U15: 4

Sport's U15 sponsored by Cassals Transport secured their first win of the season in a highly charged game. Ludgershall's determined approach from the start saw a Tom Mead header narrowly go over the bar. A brave dive at the on rushing forwards feet by keeper Ryan O'Shea left him sprawled on the ground, but he was soon back on his feet to continue despite his injury. Sport's gave away a  free kick forced out for a corner comfortably cleared by Jake Reeve. Kestrel's  were finding it difficult as the strong back four line up of Craig Stephens,  Jacob Wise, George Argyrou and Chris Paddy stamped their authority. Ben Hollis  pressure through the middle led to a Curtis Tough long range effort that went  over the bar. A run at the defence and cross by Curtis Tough sailed across the  visitor's goal and remained in play, as the Kestrel's defence cross was hammered  home by Jake Reeve. With Chris Paddy venturing down the right flank and Tom  Woolfenden on the left wing Sport's could sense more was to come. It did as  Curtis Tough firstly chipped the Kempshot keeper, then gambled on a through ball  to slot home and give Sport's an impressive and deserved 3 - 0 half time lead.

Tom Woolfenden hit home Sport's fourth early in the second period, but Kestrel's came out for the second half more physical and determined and scored  two in reply. At 4 - 2 up Ludgershall knew they were in for a tight last twenty five minutes. Kempshot lost a bit of composure and a lunging two footed challenge on George Argyrou saw them reduced to ten men as indiscipline set in. 
Macauley Hollis was brought into the fray, and Tom Mead brought back on to shore up midfield. Stuart Ratcliffe and Kyle Bannerman proved effective in their position, and a rare venture forward was rewarded as Kyle Bannerman increased Sport's lead. Keeper Ryan O'Shea was dealing with all that the visitor's could  muster, but Kempshot were rewarded as a through ball was slotted home. Kestrel's  kept pressing and added their fourth near the end to reduce the deficit to one,  and lead to a nervous last few minutes. Straight from the restart Curtis Tough  hit the ball from the halfway line that narrowly missed the target. To the  delight of the whole team, manager Nigel Mead and coach Simon Poultney the final  whistle blew for a welcome 5 - 4 Sport's victory.
 
Mike Collins