MELBOURN Panthers under-eights progressed to the next stage of the Crow League tournament after two tight games on Saturday. Panthers were unlucky to lose to Stevenage in the opening game, Dani Friel changing from her forward role to goal keeper had a bl

MELBOURN Panthers under-eights progressed to the next stage of the Crow League tournament after two tight games on Saturday.

Panthers were unlucky to lose to Stevenage in the opening game, Dani Friel changing from her forward role to goal keeper had a blinding day, only a perfectly placed free-kick by the Stripes in the top corner beat her on Saturday morning.

Her long kicks gave Luke Eades and George Storey, playing up front, opportunities to apply pressure to the oppositions' defence in both games. Both Panthers games required a full commitment from the whole squad to see them through, and that is what they gave.

Defenders Josh Bates, Saffron Henry and Ben Greenaway interplayed well whilst in midfield Kieran Geraghty and Tom Hollway matched everything that the Stripes or Ashwell could throw at them.

George Storey was unlucky not to convert a penalty to equalise against the Stripes - setting up a must win match against Ashwell.

Luke Eades scored in the first minute of the Ashwell game to give the Panthers the perfect start.

Friel soaked up the Ashwell's forward's attempts on goal like a sponge and to put the game beyond Ashwell's grasp, a great interplay with Storey finding Eades from a corner who slipped the ball to Hollway who put the ball into the back of the net.

The day's final game saw Ashwell defeat Stevenage 1-0, but it was not enough to prevent the Stripes joining Melbourn in the next stage of the competition.

n Panthers under-nines roared into the next stage of the Crow League tournament with a pair of victories on Saturday.

The first game saw Melbourn comfortably beat a brave St Neots B side 3-0.

Charles Johnson opened the scoring with a well struck shot through the keeper's grasp after being put though by Sam Bedlow.

James Rushton doubled the lead with one of his dipping specials from long range and Willem Van de Ven was on hand to emphatically drive home his first goal for the club to seal the win.

A close game against Bishop's Stortford saw the opposition pushing Panthers hard with some well worked passing moves only to find keeper Ross Cockburn in great form with some fine blocks.

Ben Webb showed great awareness being the first to a James Fowkes cross, to skilfully turn in the only goal to guarantee qualification for the next round.