Brunel keep their title bid on track (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Brunel keep their title bid on track

North Wilts Youth League: BRUNEL Boys stayed in second spot in the Under 11 Central Division after beating third-placed Ferndale Rodbourne Pumas 4-2.

Ferndale took full advantage of the wind at their backs with some long-range shots early on, Connor Jeffries in the Brunel goal bringing off some fine saves.

From a corner, though, Liam Murray finished in style to put Ferndale one up, and the same player netted a second.

Brunel hit back with a fine goal. Craig Beckerleg found Liam Ody, who rolled the ball into Chris Pocock, who struck a fine shot to make it 2-1.

On the stroke of half-time, Ferndale were awarded a penalty, but Jeffries rose to the task, diving full length and pulled off a fine save.

In the second half Brunel were handed a penalty and Jordan Williams made no mistake.

They went ahead from a corner when Harry Crozier powered the ball home from the edge of the area, and a break from Brunel's Beckerleg down the left saw him finish off the scoring with a good left-footed strike.

Stratton Juniors Gold ended their under 11 Central Division campaign with a 2-1 victory over Old Town United. A first-half penalty converted by Jack Gray, and a second-half header by Ben Cousins gave Stratton the three points.

In the Under 11 Central Division, Greenmeadow beat Croft 4-2 with the goals coming from Ben Moore, Ryan Jones, Jake Ferris and Louis Wollen.

Alex Henshall and Ryan Wilkinson signed off for Ferndale Rodbourne Pumas' under 10 side in style by scoring the goals which helped their side to the Under 10 West Division title.

Henshall hit a hat-trick and Wilkinson the other goal as Ferndale beat Malmesbury 4-1 to finish top of the table ahead of FC Abbey Meads with still two games remaining.

A Josh Henshall hat-trick deep into the second half saw Greenmeadow edge out Fairford 5-3 in a midweek under 14 subsidiary cup group A tie.

The home side found themselves trailing after Daniel Ludlow neatly placed the ball in the net after Duncan Paterson had cleared off the line for Fairford.

Minutes later it was 2-0 to Greenmeadow after Josh Whitbread netted.

This was the wake-up call Fairford needed and they cut the deficit when Henry Rogers found space to slot the ball past the Greenmeadow goalkeeper.

With half-time fast approaching Fairford kept up the pressure and Junpei Kasuya neatly chipped Dwain Stratford to make it all square.

Unfortunately, Stratford landed awkwardly as he attempted to make the save and broke his wrist.

The second half started brightly and again both sides were putting on the pressure, but it was the home side who took the lead after Jack Gannon struck a corner onto the head of Kieran Gandhi.

Greenmeadow kept battling and Josh Henshall made sure that his side took the three points by scoring a tremendous hat-trick late on.

HIGHWORTH under 10s drew 2-2 with Purton to secure the under 10 North league championship.

A JUNIOR football club has been formed in Wanborough and is set to join the league next season.

Wanborough Juniors (The Wasps), who will field teams from the age groups under sevens to 10s, have secured sponsorship from the Sports Foundation.