Templars and crusaders battle through

BALDOCK'S under-10 Templars and Crusaders both qualified for the second round of the league cup on Sunday.

Templars won their qualifying group with two wins and a draw. They started well in the first game against Manuden.

A Jordan Massey goal after six minutes gave them the lead and they were always on top and the pojnts seemed safe until the last minute when Iain Angus had to make a goal line clearance to stop Manuden equalising.

In the second game Templars drew 0-0 with Albion Youth in another game they dominated for long periods, but Albion almost scored in the last minute, a one handed save in the top corner from keeper Sam Kendle earned Templars the draw.

Templars needed only a draw in the last game against a Letchworth Whites side who needed to win and threw everything at Baldock.

But Baldock defended well and a spectacular late goal from Massey won the game for Baldock.

In the other group Crusaders easily beat Bennington 2-0. A fine display of passing football was topped by goals from Mark Rogers and William Budd. A goalless draw against Letchworth Yellow was then enough to see the Crusaders through to the second round.

A small Melbourn Tigers under-10 squad travelled to Stevenage to face a tough first round challenge.

First up were the highly rated Bishop's Stortford Youth who dominated the match but could find no way past a superb Tigers defence led by Ben Jones and Andrew Wilkins although it was stand-in keeper George Birch who put in a heroic performance to prevent Stortford scoring.

Tigers then played Stevenage Tigers for the third time this season, with honours even from the first two matches.

It was the turn of the midfield and attack to impress as Melbourn put in a powerful display with Alex Martin, Brennan Friel and Jamie Fothergill keeping the pressure on throughout the game.

Joe Carrington was the real difference between the sides though and deservedly claimed both goals, the first a low drive through a crowded area and the second, a superb in-swinging corner that left the keeper stranded.

The final match was against a hard working Buntingford side who had done brilliantly to earn draws in their first two matches.

Tigers were in no mood to let this one slip and after Clyde Thompson set-up Martin to smash one home after five minutes, they controlled the game from midfield.

Brennan Friel almost grabbed a second after a great run in the dying seconds with the Cougars goalie pulling off an excellent stop.

With two wins and a draw, Tigers won the group and advanced to the next stage.

Melbourn under-eights travelled to Buntingford for their first qualifying round and faced local rivals Royston Celtic in their opening match.

A close game with few chances saw the defences come out on top as both sides struggled to get their passing games going.

Melbourn came closest to scoring with a James Fowkes shot flying just wide and Charlie Weber poking a half-chance just the wrong side of the post.

Royston Colts were the opposition in game two and a big improvement in the performance from Dynamos, brought a well-earned victory against an athletic Colts side.

Melbourn showed good movement from the start with brave midfielder James Rushton often quickest to the ball.

Sam Bedlow and Charlie Weber took the ball forward to the neat Charles Johnson at every opportunity and James Fowkes' long throws and corners were a constant threat.

Dynamos defence once again stood out however, with James Fowkes and Alex Maskell quickly anticipating Royston's breaks.

The deadlock was broken when Sam Bedlow latched onto a loose ball in the box and slotted it confidently into the corner.

The last match in this group stage was against the hosts, Buntingford Cougars, and another close, competitive game played to a high standard, saw the teams earn a draw to both go through to the next round.

Melbourn's man of the qualifiers, James Fowkes, was again outstanding in defence and Tom Hollway stepped in to match the tireless efforts of his team-mates.