Local youth football round up

U10

Woodham Radars Comets 1 Dunmow United Pumas 3

The Pumas put together a fantastic team performance full of spirit and determination to take the initiative in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Woodham.

With the free scoring Comets having a 100 per cent record in their group and in fine form coming into the game, this was a hard earned victory built on a splendid defensive display with keeper Benjamin Furrer and sweeper Jet Sperling in outstanding form.

Despite a bright opening from the visitors, it was the home side that took an 11th minute lead with a fine counter attacking goal following a Dunmow corner.

United though responded immediately, Louis Claridge netting for the fourth successive match with a fine finish and only the woodwork denied them going into the break with a lead.

With the match delicately balanced and chances at both ends, it was Jayden Herrick who crucially nudged the Pumas ahead midway through the second half, tapping home the rebound from Charlie Worsley’s saved effort.

Ben Clarke increased the lead with a typically powerful left foot drive and some determined defending and brave goalkeeping from Furrer kept Woodham at bay and protected a narrow advantage to take into next week’s second leg.

U11

Broomfield Fire 0 Dunmow Rhodes Tigers 1

Rhodes dominated the first half in this league game, with Bennett and Bowen causing the Broomfield defence problems down the flanks and Purcell working hard upfront.

It was Rhodes midfielder Ben Roberts who picked the ball up and ran through the Broomfield defence and calmly side footed the ball into the net.

The second half saw Broomfield push further forward but found Clancy and Claydon well organised in defence. But is was Miles Thorpe’s work rate and leading the front line that stole the show to ensure a good win for Rhodes.

Dunmow United Pythons 1 Upland Rangers 4

It was a disappointing day for the Pythons who managed to lose a game they could have won by half time.

They dominated play in the first half, and had plenty of opportunities to score. Harry Roberts, Will Hammill and Louis Jenkins had two chances each but none could hit the target.

Dunmow took the lead through Roberts from a corner, only to give a sloppy goal away before half time.

In the second half Uplands were much stronger, and soon scored straight from a corner. On a bouncy pitch from recent dry weather Dunmow struggled to play their passing game, and soon went 3-1 down to a rasping left foot shot, before a second goal straight from a corner sealed their fate.

U15

Dunmow United Tigers 4 Witham Nomads 0

The first half of the game had the Tigers playing into a strong, blustery wind, but the home team couped well keeping the ball on the ground and snuffing out all of the Nomads long ball counter attacking.

Ten minutes into the second half the game changed when George Maby guided in a Jack Adamson corner to take the lead. From that point on it was all Tigers. George Maby turned in the box and scored a superb second goal, followed shortly afterwards by a mixup between the away teams defence leading to an own goal.

The Tigers fininshed the game playing impressive passing football and completed a convincing victory when Lucas Celland guided the ball home for a fourth goal.

Doddinghurst Olympic 1 Dunmow Rhodes Tigers 1

The return fixture from last week was bossed by the home team from the start, who took an early lead when the ball fell kindly in the penalty area.

Jordan Marsh was again the Rhodes hero, producing many great saves to keep the score to 1-0 at half time.

Dunmow improved in the second half, reducing the clear opportunities for the hosts, but didn’t look like troubling the Doddinghurst goal. Until, that was, Luke Cubberley produced a great run from his own half, beating serveral players, before being brought down for a penalty. Rory Mercer converted the spot kick to give Dunmow an unlikely draw.