Knights slip after early lead

BASSINGBOURN Under-10 Knights slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Royston Celtic A.

And Bassingbourn got off to a good start when James Bairstow opened the scoring as his shot dropped over the Celtic goal line.

However, Royston gradually got back into the game, but found Harry Vines and Nathan Beynon in impressive form at the back.

The Knights went into the interval a goal up, but Royston scored two goals from corners.

Both teams created further chances but it wasn't to be for Bassingbourn as Royston held firm.

Bassingbourn Under-10 Daze also came unstuck against their Royston opposition.

Despite being one of their best ­performances so far, Daze were unable to stop Royston Celtic B from scoring three goals one in the opening minute.

Bassingbourn rallied around and some strong tackling and covering limited the Royston attack.

Celtic's second did not deflate their spirits as Jon Marriage, Lewis Bonfield, and Nick Partridge threatened the Royston defence.

Tom Needham almost pulled a goal back for Daze but his fierce drive was well saved by Colts' keeper before Royston grabbed their third.

Baldock Knights 0 Ashwell Academicals Under-9 1

ASHWELL'S fine start to the season ­continued on Sunday with a James Catterall strike making the difference.

The visitors came away with a 100 per cent record, with their passing football proving to be the key once more.

Ashwell could have perhaps scored a few more as the Baldock woodwork took a pounding.

Letchworth Yellows Under-12 7 Nascot Wood Rangers Red 0

LETCHWORTH breezed through to the second round of the County Cup, with an emphatic victory.

With so much possession the result was never in doubt, although the hosts did take a while to open their account.

But when the first goal came, the others quickly followed with Chris Moore opening the floodgates.

Caspar Courlander added two more, one of which was a splendid left-foot volley.

Second-half strikes from Jordan Leech-Levy and Josh Valpy-Nelson increased the Baldock lead before Lucas Campbell-Gump ended his debut with two impressive strikes.

MELBOURN Dynamos Panthers Under-10 A knocked seven goals past a shell-shocked St Neots Town Youth.

The 7-1 win was Melbourn's first victory of the season, with Ben Webb opening the scoring with a clinical finish after some good work by James Fowkes.

Minutes later man-of-the-match James Rushton deceived the hosts with a clever short corner from which Fowkes steered the ball into the far corner of the net.

Substitute, Willem Van De Ven then came on in the second half and with only his second touch of the game scored Melbourn's third. Charlie Webber then finished a neat run with a tidy finish beyond the St Neots keeper before Sam Bedlow made it five with a header at the far post.

After St Neots grabbed a consolation, Webb doubled his tally with another unstoppable shot before Weber got his second of the game turning the ball home from close range.

Melbourn Dynamos Tigers Under-10 B were not so fortunate against their St Neots hosts and lost 3-1. And after gifting St Neots a goal midway through the first half, Melbourn keeper Sam Carrington was called into action again with a couple of outstanding saves.

Greg Cattley and Oliver Steele made some important tackles to thwart the St Neots attack, while at the other end the Tigers missed a couple of good ­opportunities.

After the home side scored two more goals, Melbourn finally kicked into life and were rewarded with a Will Thompson consolation strike.

Melbourn Dynamos Tigers Under-9s beat Bassingbourn Youth B 3-2, for their first win of the season. The impressive Sam Austin opened the scoring for the Tigers with a well-taken finish, with Andrew Houghton almost adding a second moments later.

Bassingbourn levelled however, when they were given too much time on the edge of the box and as a result scored a quality long goal from distance.

In the second half player-of-the-match Austin scored his second of the game with another excellent shot that found the back of the net from the tightest of angles.

But their lead didn't last long when Hutton was again beaten after a clever Bassingbourn build up.

But the Tigers kept battling and they broke down the left, Matthew Harris scooping the ball over the Bassingbourn keeper to seal a hard-working win.

Unfortunately for Melbourn Dynamos Under-11s they were not so lucky and lost out in a tight game with Austin Arrowheads.

And after Mathew Goodfellow went close with a thunderbolt, Melbourn were soon chasing the game as the Arrowheads opened the scoring beating Ben Raddon following a goal mouth scramble.

Melbourn responded well and within minutes had forced a corner, which led to Connor Brand slotting home the equaliser.

In the second half, the play opened up somewhat as both goals were peppered from all angles, with Raddon producing one spectacular stop. However, he was beaten moments later when the Arrowheads snatched a winner as the game ended 2-1.

Hormead Hare's Under-11 3 Manuden Juniors 2

HORMEAD bounced back from a goal down and sealed all three points in anther solid performance.

Manuden opened the scoring early on, but the home side came back strong with an equaliser. Then in a super 10 minute spell Hormead went 3-1 up with two more well-taken strikes.

In the second half Manuden came out stronger and within minutes had reduced the score to 3-2. And after a few scary moments Hormead held on and managed to claim all three points.

Baldock Town Youth Under-12 Templars 6 Cassiobury Rangers 1

BALDOCK cruised into the second round of the County Cup and knocked six past Cassiobury Rangers.

And it was the visitors who had most of the early possession, but thanks to some stout Baldock defending Cassiobury were kept at bay.

However, at the other end, Baldock's forwards were quick and effective on the break and thanks to a Matt Judges strike, and a brace from Corey Lockwood Town were 3-0 up at half time.

The visitors were left stunned as the play resumed, with Baldock scoring two more goals in a four minute spell.

Jordan Massey scored first before George Higginson made it five.

Baldock then went on to score another, courtesy of a stylish Alex Close finish. In what was the pick of the game's goal, Close rounded a clever move that featured Daniel Nicholson, Massey and Lockwood.

Cassiobury scored a late consolation finding the back of the Baldock net with a well-taken free kick.

St Neots Town Youth Under-13 3 Hitchin Town Youth 2

IN an end-to-end match, St Neots snatched a late goal to claim all three points.

And after an opening stalemate, the home side broke the deadlock just before half time, when Vale's cheeky through ball found Osibawale in space with the forward tucking the ball into the bottom corner.

However, shortly after the break Hitchin levelled with a well-taken header after some sweeping play down the right. But within 10 minutes the Saints were back in front when Tonks' cross was volleyed home by Hayden.

Then Hitchin equalised for a second time, with St Neots keeper Kent keeping the hosts in the game with a super save late on.

And just when it looked like a share of the points McDonald pounced at the back post for the Saints with a cool strike that stole the points.