Both Ross Juniors U9 teams continued to perform well at the HJFL futsal at Point 4 last Sunday, January 26th.

Ross Greens took on an unbeaten Presteigne side and were unlucky not to get something from the game. Leighton made the first of a number of good saves early on before Ethan tackled a Presteigne defender and scored at the near post to put Ross ahead. Presteigne showed why they were unbeaten and played some nice football and eventually equalised just before the break. In the second half, some great play by Jasper saw him send in a brilliant cross that Harry almost turned in but unfortunately Presteigne capitalised on a mix up in defence and snatched, what turned out to be, the winner although Jasper went really close to grabbing an equaliser late on.

Ross Greens put in a very dominant performance against Tenbury Utd. Timmy opened the scoring after Jasper’s initial shot was saved, and Timmy then grabbed his second. Jasper struck the Tenbury post but Leighton was on hand to put Ross three up and minutes later Timmy completed his hat-trick. Just before the break Tenbury scored a couple of goals but Ross continued to dominate the play in the second half. Timmy scored a wonder goal from the halfway line and Dan was unlucky to see his left foot effort saved. Leighton scored his second of the game and, late on, Harry made a fantastic save in the Ross goal to secure a 6-2 win.

Three wins and a draw in group stage 1 is great achievement for a team with so many players new to futsal.

In the afternoon session, Ross Juniors were looking to maintain their 100% record against Belmont Colts but found nothing going their way. Morgan intercepted a pass in the opening seconds and was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post and a ‘kick in’ went in off Euan’s back but the official couldn’t confirm the touch so, rightly, the goal was ruled out. Belmont had their chances but Owen pulled off a couple of good saves and Ben made an important block.

Ross dominated the second half but found the Belmont keeper in good form. Saves against Alex and Morgan suggested the 100% record was going and Ross had Owen to thank for a smart save to keep them from falling behind.

It looked like Ross had made the breakthrough when Alex robbed a Belmont defender of the ball and beat the Belmont keeper with a great finish but the goal was ruled out as Belmont were making a substitution. With time running out Morgan and Ben both went close and then the winner came, right on the final whistle. Alex’s shot was blocked and Morgan was first to the rebound to secure a very hard-earned win.

Ross Juniors final game of group stage 1 was against a very good Bromyard Bulls side. Morgan pulled off an early save before Alex fired in a thunderous free kick. Zak and Alex were solid in defence as Bromyard looked to respond but Ross doubled their lead with a fine run and finish from Owen just before the break. A similar pattern developed in the second half as Morgan made a good save early on before Alex and Owen combined for a great chance that just went wide. Bromyard thought they had cleared a corner only to see the ball fly into the top corner as Owen grabbed his second with a great strike from distance and Euan capped it off with a late goal to complete a comprehensive 4-0 win.