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Juniors battle hard to win the points

16/12/2004

Football

A HARD fought 60 minutes between Heyside and Middleton Juniors under 11s saw the Middleton lads earn themselves another three points with a 5-4 victory.

Heyside started the stronger team and forced some excellent defending from Curtis Jones, Liam Edmonds, Steven Harrison and James Owen.

Middleton soon got on top of their game, with Gareth Saxon producing some excellent crosses.

Jack Coffey scored from a tight angle and he made it 2-0 with a flick over the keeper's head.

The game remained closely contested in the second half. Heyside fought back and scored early.

Jonny Fogerty gave the Heyside defence a real headache with his outstanding skill and speed, and he returned the balance of power to his team with team-mate Dale Wilkins finding the net after a goalmouth scramble.

Heyside were no pushovers and forced some fine saves out of debutant Middleton keeper Lewis Boland. Their efforts eventually yielded three further goals which took them into a 4-3 lead.

A hunger for victory among the Middleton lads was enough to turn the game. Ryan Cobain and Simon Dewar battled to the final whistle and a corner awarded to Middleton was fired home by James Owen.

Callum Cornielle and James Vernon, both making their debuts, teamed up superbly for Vernon to score his first and Middleton's winner. Curtis Jones was named player-of-the-match for his consistency in defence.