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Walker's crisp strike seals win

28/11/2002

JUNIOR FOOTBALL: Middleton Boys U12s 2 De La Salle 1

TWO well taken first half goals by Alex Walker helped Middleton Boys under 12s extend their lead at the top of the Salford Sunday League.

The game started with De La Salle pressing the Middleton defence and the visitors went close on five minutes. Middleton's strike force of Alex Walker and Mike Urquhart settled down and stretched the Salle defence. The breakthrough came after 14 minutes when Walker, on the edge of the area, superbly controlled a delightful through ball from Andy Parfitt. His well-struck shot sailed into the net.

Seven minutes later another defence splitting pass from Parfitt released Walker for number two. For the remainder of the first half Middleton continued to press, with Urquhart and Hogan coming close. Mike Orford came on for Niall Hogan at half time to use his pace on the left-hand side.

The Boys continued to press for the third goal, and after a lengthy spell of pressure they gained a corner on the left-hand side. Anthony Hoolickin lashed in a right foot corner that was deflected into the De La Salle net.

Middleton relaxed and started to play some good football, however in the 50th minute De La Salle were awarded a penalty, which was superbly saved by goalkeeper Callum Jackson.

This unsettled Middleton and De La Salle upped the pace in the last 10 minutes to score a very well worked goal. Middleton collected three well earned points which stretches their lead at the top of the Salford Sunday league to five points. Man of the match went to Callum Jackson for his dogged performance in goal, his second man of the match award this season. Middleton Boy's are now at home to Peel/Little Hulton United next Sunday.

• Little Lever 2 Middleton Boys U14s 4: MIDDLETON Boys under 14s went through to the second round of the Bury and Radcliffe League Cup with a solid performance. Boys had already played Little Lever this season in the league and won 3-0. So they were confident of victory.

Middleton began well, pressuring their opposition and forcing mistakes, and after 15 minutes right winger Aaron Weekes was played through and he powerfully side-footed his shot into the top corner.

Minutes later, Boys doubled their lead as striker Ryan Lewis rounded a defender and keeper to slot home into an empty net.

From the restart Middleton won back possession and a free kick was swung in from the right. Little Lever's keeper dropped the ball at the feet of Lee Walker who easily scored to make it 3-0.

Little Lever were gifted a lifeline when a Middleton defender sliced his clearance and it looped over the keeper into the net and right on half-time a long range shot from the Lever striker caught the keeper off his line to make it 3-2.

In the second half Middleton were solid from the back to the front, as keeper Stefan Olley had little to do, touching the ball twice.

With 20 minutes to go an excellent combination of passes led to the fourth goal as Ryan Lewis broke away. He smashed home his second of the game, his 14th of the season, to seal a place in the next round for Middleton.

Darren Fitzgerald and Jake Mead were superb on their debuts but man of the match was Barry Harrison.

• MIDDLETON Boys Under 14s are looking for match day sponsors. Any company who can donate just £20 to a match will receive a mention in our match reports each week. Anyone interested contact Darren on 07900 001 992.

• MIDDLETON Boys under 10s played two games against Waterloo in Ashton on Saturday. The first game was an even affair with both teams having good chances.

Boys' Mason Neild, slipped the ball to Tyler Waterhouse, and his shot found its way into the net to give Middleton the lead. They then had opportunities to seal the win but, with minutes remaining, conceded an equaliser and the game ended 1-1.

In the second game, Middleton were too strong for Waterloo and dominated proceedings from the kick-off. They broke the deadlock quickly and ended up 7-0 winners thanks to two apiece from Kyle McDonagh, Ryan Lyons and Christy Carr . Alex Rutter got the other.

• MIDDLETON Boys have a list of contact numbers for their teams: Under Six (Yr 1), Ian Taylor 0161 284 8627; Under Seven (Yr 2) 653 1175; Under Eight (Yr 3), Bob Wilkinson 721 4285; Under Nine (Yr 4), Dave Nuttall 653 4212; Under 10 (Yr 5), Steve Hogg 795 6778; Under 11 (Yr 6), Walter Urquhart, 678 1768; Under 12 (Yr 7), Pete Freakes 688 5253; Under 13 (Yr 8), Alan Markowecz 287 6256; Under 14s (Yr 9), Darren Gully 07900 001992,

• Parkwyddn (0) 0 Middleton Boys U9s (3) 2: MIDDLETON Boys under nines established a five-point advantage at the top of the league after beating newcomers Parkwyddn at the weekend.

Jake Parker scored a well-deserved goal after latching onto a loose ball just outside the area, he hit the ball sweetly and gave the keeper no chance. Middleton's top goal scorer Mason Andrews got the second, then five minutes before time, a great pass and move between Middleton's midfield gave Andrews his 21st goal of the season.

Middleton's fitness and determination gave them the win in the second game. Ryan Murphy and Jake Parker with a quick one two put the ball through to Thomas Douglas who slotted it past the keeper, and their was no surprise who scored Middleton's second goal, it was Mason Andrews with a brilliant strike.

Scott Mooney was the player of the match with a brilliant display in defence.