Cirencester & District Youth League

A series of missed second-half chances cost Cricklade dear as their opponents built up a lead.

Kingsdown opened the scoring on six minutes when Josh Stanley forced the ball past the Cricklade keeper with a close-range shot.

Kingsdown then went close on several occasions but the Cricklade defence held firm until the last minute of the first half when a floated cross from the left saw Stanley fire home a second.

The second half started well for Kingsdown and in the 53rd minute, Liam Moyles received and controlled a super pass, and dribbled past two defenders before slotting past the advancing keeper.

Cricklade then took the fight to Kingsdown and after hitting the bar twice and having the ball cleared, Daniel Dodson ran through to cut the deficit.

Cricklade upped the pressure and further attacks followed before a second goal came from Sam Walton, who placed a precision kick into the goal from 18 yards.

With just a goal in it, Kingsdown had to withstand a nervy final few minutes before booking their place in the final.

Back in the league, Malmesbury ran out 3-1 winners over their Mitel counterparts at under 15 level.

The result secured the runners-up position for Malmesbury, who had had to fight back after going a goal down as early as the sixth minute.

Jack Ward levelled when scoring direct from a free kick.

The second half saw Malmesbury push forward and only a combination of good goalkeeping and wayward finishing denied them until James Brown netted a second with just six minutes remaining.

Dan Done eventually made the game safe with a third goal two minutes from time, to leave the Malmesbury lads celebrating a third successive runners-up finish.

In the same age group, Highworth ran out 3-1 winners over Croft Juniors.

For Highworth, the victory made up for their disappointing cup exit, but they certainly had to work hard for the points.

Croft went close in the opening minute with a move down the right wing and a shot which flashed across the face of goal.

Both sides forced corners in the opening 15 minutes before Ryan King jinked in to the Croft penalty area only for Croft keeper Michael Marder to make a solid save.

A minute later and James Penny went close for Highworth with a dipping shot over the crossbar.

The breakthrough eventually came when Daniel Whitaker fed Ben Cowley to score for Highworth at the near post.

Highworth, with the luxury of three subs, gained confidence from their goal and played some neat passing football with Lorien Bardwell feeding Josh Thom who in turn put King on to goal but his left footed shot was wide.

Highworth started the second half the stronger and Marder had to be sharp to keep them out.

Cowley had a shot saved before Thom hit the post, and the former was involved in his side's second goal midway through the second half. A powerful run by Bardwell split the defence,Cowley's shot rebounded off the post, Thom's effort was parried but King pounced to score.

Croft responded with their own attacking play and Max Thornton ran through to place the ball past an advancing Ben Goodey.

Croft stepped up their efforts but it was not to be and Highworth's third and decisive goal eventually came in the 77th minute, with Cowley surging through from halfway to score his second.

At under 13 level, Christian Ellis hit a hat-trick as Eldene Colts ran out 3-1 winners over Malmesbury to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The game was evenly balanced at half-time after Luke Mitchell bundled home from close range.

Malmesbury equalised almost immediately after Robbie James lost possession inside the penalty area and was punished.

The second half was more one-sided as Eldene raised their game.

After the unlucky Luke Robinson was forced off with a back problem, super sub Eliis came on and scored a hat-trick in 25 minutes to give Eldene the points.

Malmesbury's under 12s, however, made up for their under 13s defeat as they chalked up an emphatic 11-0 victory over Brunel Boys.

Brunel trailed by just three goals at the break before Malmesbury stepped up a gear, and the defeat could have been heavier had it not been for the efforts of keeper James Little.