YOUTH FOOTBALL: Horncastle Town U13 victory takes them to third in the league

Under-13

Lowlands Bees 3

With two successive away wins, Horncastle returned home to take on Lowland Bees in their league campaign.

The Wongers didn’t disappoint, delivering a 4-3 victory which took them to third in the table level, on points with second placed Metheringham.

Early exchanges were dominated by the home side in the pouring rain. Alfie ‘Dave’ Baird latched on to an Ellis Roberts through-ball but rifled his shot just wide. Connor Pinkett and Josh Baxter both looked lively too.

Town continued to press, with Josh Britchford, as always, in the thick of the action, forcing the visitors into a mistake on the half way line. Ryan Woollard latched on to a loose ball with only one thought in his mind, charged towards the opposition goal, and shrugging off the attentions of a recovering defender he neatly slotted the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

Horncastle looked immediately to increase their advantage with Baird and Pinkett leading the charge, the latter regrettably having to leave the pitch shortly afterwards following a clash of heads.

Lowlands resorted to long ball tactics, however they were thwarted by Lewis Howden’s solid headed clearances, with speed king Aaron Smith winning the foot race with the advancing attackers.

Town pinned Lowlands into their half, forcing further errors, then the impressive Woollard found himself in space and lashed the ball goalwards for 2-0.

The Wongers continued where they left off in the first half. Midfield terrier Kyle Tempest won the ball on the halfway line, lofting a beautifully weighted pass forward for Woollard who thrashed the ball past the diving keeper.

An unfortunate Lowlands defender handled in the box to gift the Wongers a penalty. Skipper James McKeag stepped up and from a short run up thrashed the ball into the net for 4-0.

With the match seemingly in the bag, Lowlands suddenly struck three times in quick succession. With the momentum with the visitors, they continued to press, but Town keeper Peter Smith made some impressive stops to retain the slender lead.

Head coach Bruce Baxter praised his team for an excellent performance and result, commending Howden, Kirk and the respective Smiths. It was, however, midfield general Ellis Roberts and hat trick hero Woollard who were awarded joint man of the match for their outstanding performances.

Town are on the road again this Sunday, travelling to take on Cherry Colts.