Football
Mixed fortunes for Town's youngsters

ALCESTER Town's junior football season kicked-off on Saturday with mixed fortunes.

In their first ever game of competitive football the U9s Juniors got their Ambassador League campaign off to the best possible start with a 6-0 demolition of Badsey Rangers.

The visitors were never in the game as Alcester set about their task with vigour. The hosts attacked at will and the result was never in doubt as Jack Biddle, Nathan O'Neil and man of the match Jack Clayson shared the goals.

Elsewhere on Saturday the U16s also enjoyed an opening day victory, running out 3-0 victors over local rivals Bidford as Alex Dance, Tom Harman with a 30-yard screamer and Cameron Parker bagged the goals.

The U14s Juniors went down narrowly to a strong visiting Evesham United side. In a close encounter which saw Town comfortable for most of the match, a defensive mix-up was their undoing as the visitors edged it 1-0.

Saturday also saw the U11s Colts open their league campaign at home to Westbury Celtic.

Town were soon under fire with several long range efforts kept out by keeper Josh Allen. Alfie Betteridge, Connor MacKenzie and George Dyer battled hard in midfield, but the visitors scored just before the break.

Alcester came out strongly in the second half and were nearly rewarded when striker Harry Vranic shook his man off, only to see his long range effort met by the keeper's gloves.

The defence of Dom McKeon, Owen Jones and man of the match Kai Nelson faced a constant barrage of attacks from Westbury but Matt Turner - who was back between the sticks for Alcester in the second half - pulled off several great saves.

However, Alcester could not hold out and conceded twice from corners to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

As Alcester chased the game and showed signs of a late rally, Vranic was taken off with a knee injury and, despite efforts to break through the Westbury defence by Ellis Mulholland and Jacob Siviter, the game ended 3-0.

Sunday saw the U13s Juniors get their Central Warwickshire League campaign underway with a trip to Fenny Compton.

Alcester were out of sorts in the first half, in which they took the lead before conceding five.

The half time team talk seemed to do the trick as Town came out a different side for the second half but they could only reduce their arrears to 5-3.

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