Football: Junior round-up
JUNIOR football round-up.
Uttley on target as Borough progress
Haslingden Red U-15 3
Todmorden Borough U-15 4
East Lancs Football Alliance Cup.
BOROUGH have experienced a testing season having joined the East Lancashire Football Alliance in the top division.
Their return from ten league matches is one win and one draw with player injuries having a significant effect on the squad throughout the crucial early stages.
Since the turn of the year their form has shown promise with a recent 4-4 draw with AFC Darwen followed by Sunday's away win in the cup.
It was the home side who were swiftly into their rhythm and had Boro on the back foot; against the run of play Boro made quick progress on the right flank and a resulting cross was turned into the net by a Haslingden defender.
The home side responded strongly and were soon level with some lazy defending to blame.
Haslingden moved ahead with a powerful header after a precise cross from the right. Boro showed some character as they battled hard against a very well organised opposition and were rewarded, just before half time, with the equaliser as Goggins fired home from close range when Haslingden failed to clear from a throw in.
At the break Boro were encouraged to improve in all aspects of the match and showed much better application from the restart. It was the visitors turn to apply pressure and Davy-Day edged Boro ahead with a typical finish from just outside the six-yard area.
Boro now had the momentum and continued to press to extend the lead. Haslingden held on and then levelled as Boro again lost concentration.
Both teams continued to press and the tension rose as both teams created good chances to add to their goal tally. It was Boro who scored the decisive winning goal when Uttley poked the ball home through a crowded penalty area to secure the win.
For Boro there were some good positives with Saul Law nominated as manager's man of the match for a very energetic, battling performance in midfield. Boro were also thankful for a solid partnership between Krogulski and Jackson at the centre of defence.
The team now have a break this weekend before the next round of the cup on the March 21.
Bizarre double dumps Boro
St Columbus U-13 2
Todmorden Borough U-13 1
A close game was expected between two teams locked together near the top of the table and it proved an entertaining, even contest although there were very few clear goal scoring opportunities.
The first half ended goal-less and after the break St Columbus proved more threatening on the break taking advantage of the heavily sloping pitch.
Boro just about had the edge on the overall balance of play and the home keeper was certainly the busier of the two.
Lewis Schofield came closest when his shot crashed against the woodwork and the game suddenly swung in St Columbus's favour when Boro were literally flattened by two bizarre goals that were gifted to the home side without their strikers having to make a serious attempt on goal.
Lewis Schofield managed to narrow the deficit but they were left with too much to do against a very resilient home side.
Boro have seen themselves edged out in all three away games against title contenders so far this season and, while there is no doubting their footballing ability, need to learn to be mentally stronger in the really important games in order to gain that winning mentality.
Glover seals revenge win
Halifax Irish White U-12 1
Todmorden Borough U-12 3
BOROUGH'S first away trip for a good few months, saw them gain revenge against a side which had knocked them out of the cup a few weeks earlier.
Borough took the lead early as Connor's low shot took the home side by surprise.
A good game saw both teams put some good attacks together but Ashworth, Mitchell, Yates and Horton kept Irish at bay.
When the home side did get a shot in they were thwarted by the excellent Hanson in Boro's goal, until early in the second when Irish they did pull a goal back.
Boro's back line regrouped and good passing from the midfield of Murphy, Pearce, Shofield, Holden and Kinderman provided plenty of ammo for the front men.
A superb solo effort from Glover put Boro back in front and Connor smashed in Boro's third goal.
Spot miss relieves Centre
Crossley Juniors U-11 1
Todmorden Sports Centre U-11 3
Todmorden kept up the pressure on the teams at the top of the table with a fine win in a feisty encounter played on a semi-frozen surface.
Crossley took the lead but the visitors hit back when Alec Hodkinson slotted home amid a goalmouth scramble.
Henry Antemes gave Todmorden the lead but Crossley had the chance to hit back soon afterwards when they were awarded a penalty. the spot kick was placed wide and this inspired Todmorden who moved on to the offensive, missing several good chances in the process.
The game was finally made secure when Hodkinson scored again, his 18th in the last five matches.
It was another fine team performance with this season's new-signings Benji Simms, Charlie Mariani and Callum Bailey all outstanding.
Harvey turns tide
Todmorden Sports Centre U-7 6
Northowram Rams U-7 1
TSC continued their rich vein of league form with a convincing victory.
But the home team was stifled for long periods against a resilient Rams outfit and it was only in the latter stages of the game that they really showed the flowing football they are capable of.
Goalkeeper James Hartley was TSC's best player in the opening exchanges and only some fine saves allied to brave defending from Luke Henson and Max Goldie prevented the home team from going behind.
It was against the run of play when striker Ben Ormerod gave TSC the lead five minutes before the interval, latching onto a low cross from Max Dawson and bundling it home from close range.
The visitors gained a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half-time and after the break TSC were again forced on the defensive with replacement keeper Diarmuid Pritchard, Alfie Connors and Reece McDermondy all making important clearances.
With ten minutes remaining the match was still level but Harvey Lucaszyk then capitalised on some good work from Ormerod to fire home a second for the Tod youngsters.
That proved to be the game's turning point as TSC turned on the style with Jacob Entwistle cleverly releasing Ormerod who made no mistake and the livewire striker immediately completed his hat-trick after a trademark mazy run.
Lucaszyk grabbed his second and TSC's fifth from the restart after good work from Dawson before Ormerod completed the scoring with another fine individual goal.
Sorrell quick off mark
Todmorden Sports Centre U-8 4
Greetland Stars U-8 1
TSC put in a very professional performance to take the spoils.
They lined up with the assured Law in goal, Kelly, who was called upon numerous times to snuff out Greetland attacks, a midfield of Sorrell, Emery, Eatherall and Thompson and Bragg and Jones up front.
TSC took the lead in the first minute thanks to a cool finish from Sorrell and doubled their advantage minutes later when Jones crossed from the right and Bragg steered the ball between the keeper's legs.
However, the visitors came back minutes later to grab a goal.
It stayed that way until well into the second-half when a great finish from Jones restored the home side's two-goal advantage.
Minutes later, good play and a great strike from man-of-the-match, Eatherall, led to a good stop by the Greetland keeper but he was unable to hold onto the ball and Bragg was on the spot to tap the ball into an empty net.
Two out of three for TSC
Todmorden Sports Centre U-10 1
Halifax Irish Greens U-10 2
IN what was the second game of a busy weekend Todmorden took on the premier team in the league.
It turned out to be one of the most entertaining and keenly fought games of the season with both teams playing excellent passing football.
The first half saw Todmorden have the balance of the play but they were unable to turn any of the chances they created into goals.
A cool finish from the Irish centre forward saw him beat Niall Mitchell with a shot into the corner from the edge of the area.
Mitchell was in fine form throughout and Todmorden did manage to equalise before half time with what was probably the goal of the season.
Tansey on the right wing beat the defender with a show of extreme pace before crossing for Ashton at the near post to put the ball home. The halftime score was a good reflection of the balance of the play.
The second half showed the high quality of performance continue from both teams with, if anything, the home team creating the better chances.
Once again they were undone by an Irish break which lead to a penalty being awarded and converted after an attacker was tripped in the box.
TSC had further chances to equalise but again were unable to capitalise on the generally excellent play.
The previous day the team had won a hastily arranged fixture at Crossley Swifts 2-0.
After a goal-less first half Alfie Ridout put them ahead when he turned after receiving a long through ball but it took an excellent Oliver Hosker shot from the edge of the area to extend their lead.
A busy period for the side saw them beat Halifax Irish Whites 1-0.
Directly from the second-half kick off TSC strung together several passes which freed Thomas Kennedy who scored to continue his excellent season.
Ridout, in goal for this game, pulled off a point blank save to keep the Whites at bay.
They also managed a 2-2 draw with Ryburn Reds in this busy period.
Reds took an early lead from a long throw but TSC soon levelled after a break and cross by Tansey was converted by Kennedy.
Hosker put them ahead with a strong free-kick who's shot arrowed straight into the top corner but Reds equalised and Todmorden goalkeeper Mitchell made an excellent save to ensure the points were shared.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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