Ludgershall Sports Youth Results 25/01/2009

Ludgershall Sports U9  4 v Amesbury Tigers U9  2

Motorvate sponsored Sports U9's put on a superb all round display at Astor Crescent to claim the points in this highly competitive match. Both teams are languishing at the foot of the table, only separated by goal difference, and these three valuable points could prove the catalyst to jump start their season. The return of Sam Withers after a spell at New Street bolstered Sports attack providing additional width and pace. From the start Ludgershall put pressure on the visitor's, but it was an Amesbury through ball that broke the dead lock, as it was neatly slotted past Cassius Lynd to put Tigers 1 - 0 up. Tommy Willard was causing problems down the wing, and the presence of Sam Mills and Charlie Pike in Sports defence was bringing this match to life. From a corner Tommy Willard fired goal wards and forced what in the end proved to be a string of excellent saves from the Amesbury keeper. Ludgershall levelled as a Keegan Gale cross was turned in by Jack Fox. Sports were on the ascendency, but just as they looked like nosing in front Tiger's took the lead again. This was totally against the run of play, but Sports paid the price as a lone striker for once beat the home defence and blasted the ball home. 1 - 2 down at half time both teams were still in a position to secure the much needed points.

Sports started the second period in the same vein as the first and bombarded the Tigers goal. Finally they were rewarded as a long range speculative shot by Sam Withers went in off the post. Kane Roberts was brought on to provide fresh legs in the heavy under foot conditions. Ludgershall's Man of the Match Sam Mills was a tower of strength at the back, but also has the skills, confidence and awareness to venture forward at every opportunity. A drop ball led to a Sports corner resulting in a Jack Fox shot again being saved by the tremendous Amesbury keeper. Sports second half keeper Sam McKeown was a virtual spectator, but at 2 - 2 the threat was ever present and he kept the scores level as he saved Tigers first effort of the second half. Sam Withers hit the post, in a match Sports were now dominating, as he, Keegan gale and Jack Fox searched for the goal to nudge Sports in front. They were rewarded with a stunning Keegan Gale effort that scorched into the Amesbury net for a deserved 3 - 2 lead. The lead was always going to prove slender in a tense last quarter with Tigers searching for the equaliser. Josh pike was brought on, and relief was resumed as Ludgershall were provided with a two goal cushion as Sam Withers bagged his second. This was a confident display and full of quality in all departments, with performances like this Sports can only start to climb up the table.

Warminster FC U13  4 v Ludgershall Sports U13  0

Despite defeat this was an absolutely outstanding display by Sports U13's, who made the long trip down the A303 to Warminster lacking five players. The depleted squad combined forces to tackle a Warminster U13 side who sit proudly at the top of the division, and have only lost once this campaign, regularly netting double figures against the opposition, indeed they had defeated Sports 10 - 1 earlier in the season. Ludgershall's overall performance pleased manager Tony Britten, they kept their spirit, and although penned in their own half for much of the game didn't lose their heads and battled for every ball. Man of the Match Matt Macfarlane was superb and as Sports dug deep into their reserves the performances of Callam Hollis, Daniel Britten and Harry Lawton stood out in a brave defensive performance. The lone strike force of Luke Bates toiled away to try and gain some consolation for Sports, but Warminster, last seasons league and cup double winners remain on course for a repeat performance this season.

Ludgershall Sports U11  1 v South Newton & Wishford U11  5

A below par performance from Sports U11's was punished as their future cup semi-final opponents put on a second half display that stunned the home team. From the start South Newton came forward and early on in the first half hit the bar and forced Daniel Keel to head clear from within his own six yard box. Ludgershall's early play, as in most games matched the opposition, and as Nathan Collins and Sean MacDonald began to gain some control in defence their attackers could push forward. A ball forward was gathered by George Robinson who's persistence saw the ball forced out wide to Sam Walsh, a brilliant run to the bye line and pull back across the box to the edge of the six yard line where Daniel Keel was on hand to calmly slot the ball past the South Newton keeper. South Newton began to pressure Sports and first Curtis Topham's goal was breached by a well placed low shot, quickly followed by a thunderous drive into the roof of the net, both efforts giving the Ludgershall keeper no chance. Sports were guilty of being to slow to the ball and showing enough grit and determination in tackling or blocking the ball, in deed Curtis Topham's goalkeeping display throughout was to prove one positive Sports could take out of this match. At 1 - 2 down there was still hope, an Adam Hetherington through ball split the defence and Sam Walsh split the opposition, one on one against the Wishford keeper he took two touches too many and was forced wide as the keeper kept his ground. South Newton held on and went in at the interval 2 - 1 up.

From the re-start South Newton punished Sports as a run down the right evaded any challenge, the ball was sweetly crossed into the box and turned in for the third. Several second half changes by Sports brought on Arthur Robinson, Wayne Ashton and Craig Britten which enforced a change of shape to their pattern of play. South Newton were generally first to the ball in the second period and were justly rewarded with a deserved fourth goal to lead 4 - 1. Ludgershall's chances came but unfortunately the ball didn't cross the line, Adam Hetherington's shot flew past the post, from three yards out an Arthur Robinson effort somehow sailed over the top of the bar and a Ryan Proud long range effort missed the cross bar by inches. A couple of penalty claims by South Newton were turned down, as the free kicks were awarded outside the box, the resulting free kicks causing Sports more consternation. South Newton's day was made as they banged home a fifth for a comfortable victory. Before the 29th March semi-final encounter against this opposition at Laverstoke Sports will need to put the effort shown in early periods of matches into the full length of a game. They display the quality to play far better than this performance and result merited.

Mike Collins.