YOUTH FOOTBALL ROUND-UP Under-8 Ely Crusaders 10 Burwell Tigers B 0 ELY Crusaders got off to a dream start in their first competitive fixture against a spirited Burwell Tigers B. Lewis Hook opened the scoring in the first five seconds, and this was quick

YOUTH FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Under-8

Ely Crusaders 10

Burwell Tigers B 0

ELY Crusaders got off to a dream start in their first competitive fixture against a spirited Burwell Tigers B.

Lewis Hook opened the scoring in the first five seconds, and this was quickly followed by a long-distance strike from James Barrett.

Further strikes from George Leech, Alex Brown (2) and Jordan Marston (2) ensured that Ely went in at half-time with a seven-goal lead.

Three more were added in the second half by Sam Scarborough, Jake Butler and Jay Spittles, and excellent defensive displays from Evan Jeckells, Samuel Felton, Tomas Funnell and Edward Frodsham rounded off an excellent performance and deserved victory.

Stretham Sporting 9

Isleham United 6

MAN-of-the-match Max Bovingdon scored seven goals as Stretham pulled off one of their famous comebacks.

Harry Alexander gave Stretham the lead early on before Daniel Ingham netted five goals in 10 minutes for Isleham.

Stretham had to dig deep, and Bovingdon suddenly came alive, running the length of the pitch to score his first goal. With some good defending, particularly from Jake Flack and Cyrus Richards, Stretham piled on the pressure, and Bovingdon scored four more before half-time. Isleham came back, with Dion Badcock making the score 6-6.

Bovingdon then showed great individual skill to score another two goals, and Alexander's second secured the win.

Witchford 5

Mepal Sports 5

MEPAL scored with the last kick of the game to ensure the spoils were shared in this 10-goal thriller.

Mepal took a deserved early lead before Max Loker equalised halfway through the first half. Witchford were then rocked when Mepal scored twice in quick succession, but they dug deep and produced the goal of the game when Loker sprinted half the length of the pitch and buried the ball in the far corner.

Mepal quickly restored their two-goal advantage before Ben Lymer unleashed a drive into the bottom corner after some good work by Callum Munden. Jack Sheridan then pulled Witchford level with a deft flick over the keeper. Witchford took the lead for the first time through Callum Munden, but Mepal refused to give up and a neat finish at the death earned them a point.

Witchford squad: Sam Brewer, Alex Matcham, Jordan Emms, Ben Lymer, Henry Green, Callum Munden, Jack Sheridan, Max Loker.

Sutton Rangers 1

Soham United Youths 7

BOTH teams performed very well in their first league game of the season, but an excellent second half showing earned Soham the win.

The visitors went in 2-0 up at half-time, and the crowd were treated to a goal-fest in the second half.

Soham scorers were: Joseph Brannan (4), Joseph Bell (2) and George Newman (1). Newman was Soham's man of the match.

Under-9

Littleport Town B 1

Witchford Colts 4

EWAN Gilmour scored on his debut as Witchford beat Littleport B in an excellent match.

Daniel Chapman was back to scoring ways with two, Sam Gulliver also played well and scored one, but man of the match went to Nathan Francis after some brilliant all round play.

Witchford team: Ewan Gilmour, Sam Gulliver, Matthew Loades, Oliver Richards, Daniel Chapman, Daniel Scott, Nathan Francis, Nathan Parker, Harry Braybrooke, Ruairidh MacDonald.

Under-10

Division B

Ely Crusaders 8 Ely City 1

ELY Crusaders came out on top in a derby they dominated.

Jamie Simper scored Crusader's first goal after 20 minutes and they were soon 3-0 up after goals from Dominic Hunt and Charlie Root.

Crusaders increased their lead early in the second half through a wonderful solo goal from Athi Ambi, before Conor Logan grabbed the fifth.

City then pulled one back, before Mitchell Morse scored Crusader's sixth, beating three defenders and finishing with an excellent drive. Morse then turned provider, with a pinpoint pass for Conor Logan, who made no mistake.

Logan then returned the favour by playing in Morse for his second and the final goal of the game.

Cambridgeshire Mini League Division U-10A

Mildenhall 4

Soham Town Colts 1

THIS clash had the crowd gripped from start to finish.

Both teams created some good chances but Mildenhall were clinical in front of goal and went in at half-time 3-0 ahead.

Soham came close when Kieran Fuller's shot shook the bar, but they would have gone further behind if it had not been for some brave keeping from Matthew Fretwell.

Soham came out fighting in the second half and pulled back a goal when a fine move was finished by Jordy Turpin, but Mildenhall replied quickly to make it 4-1.

Soham's man of the match was Matthew Fretwell

n Soham Town Colts U10s are also looking for a new keeper. Contact Mark on 07789 111680, if you are interested.

Cambridgeshire Mini League Division U11A

Soham Town Colts 1

Witchford Rovers A 0

JAKE Fordham's early strike was enough to secure victory for Soham in an entertaining match.

Both sides showed spirit and created some excellent chances with near misses at each end.

Soham's man of the match was Luke Webster-Sterry.

Under-12

Division 12E

Little Paxton Colts 2

Little Downham Eagles 4

LITTLE Downham came out on top of this fast-paced match that both teams went all out to win.

Eagles took the lead in the fifth minute when Dylan Minar pounced on a rebound to score after Daniel Burdin hit the woodwork.

They quickly doubled their lead when Aaron Canham scored with a good shot from the right.

Paxton drew level with two goals in three minutes, one an own goal and the other a goalmouth scramble that resulted in the ball trickling over the line.

Little Downham then missed two penalties, either side of half-time, before Jack Ure gave them the lead with a powerful drive, 10 minutes from the end. Two minutes later, they put the result beyond doubt when Thomas Bradney crossed high from the right for Canham to head in.

Paxton refused to give up and Martyn Dawes made a good save with his legs near the end to ensure that Eagles' perfect start to the season continued.

Under-16

Cambridge Musketeers 1

Littleport Town 2

LITTLEPORT coped with a hard, bumpy pitch and the Musketeers' long-ball game to pick up a fine away win.

The visitors started brightly and never looked troubled at the back, but they lacked conviction in front of goal.

Littleport took a deserved lead just before half-time when Dan Bell reacted quickly, after Sean Monigatti forced a parried save from the goalkeeper, and he made no mistake from close range.

The Cambridge side continued with their route-one tactics after the break but the visitors' defence stood strong. Littleport created further chances but were frustratingly unable to finish.

Littleport managed to double their lead midway through the second period when a forward was brought down in the area by a scything tackle, and Adam Reckless made no mistake from the spot, confidently sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The home side managed to pull back a goal minutes later after a goal-mouth scramble, and this ensured a tense finish to the match, but the visitors held on to win.

Littleport squad: Rob Wilson, Lee Fuller, John Kelly, Adam Reckless, Matt Fuller, Nick Seaman, John Bartlett, Luke Williams, Dan Bell, Sean Monigatti, Sam Males, Oli Pindar, James Elliott, Ryan Middleton, Tom Evans.

Under-9

DEPITE an even start to the match Mepal overwhelmed Sutton on Saturday.

Mepal went in 3-0 up at half-time and scored a further seven goals in the second half.

Oliver Jarrett was named as the Suttom man of the match for his non-stop effort in both defence and attack, where he managed to rattle the Mepal goal post.

Under-11 B

Haddenham Rovers 0 Newmarket 4

DESPITE a spirited performance Haddenham went down by four goals against Newmarket.

Newmarket worked hard straight from kick-off and put Haddenhamm under severe pressure. Despite their best efforts Haddenham found themselves 3-0 down at half time.

Haddenham improved in the second half and put together some great passing moves. Goalkeeper Laurence Martin made some great saves throughout the game and was nominated man of the match.