THE teenagers of Ross Juniors Women belied their youth to finish a hugely respectable third in the Mid West Counties Female League after two double-header home draws on Sunday with fourth-placed Kidderminster United, who were looking to leapfrog them.

Juniors (sponsored by 21Wellbeing, HP Scaffolding, The Hope and Anchor and Pronto’s Pizza Kebab) were missing several players due to injury and had just one substitute.

And their opponents started the first game aggressively before Ross began to look dangerous on the transition, forcing the keeper into two good saves and missing a couple more chances that could have seen them 4-0 up in 20 minutes.

But then came a sucker punch as they conceded on the turnover just before half-time.

Undeterred they came out for the second period determined to hit back, only for Holly Thomas to sustain a nasty injury requiring hospital treatment after the Kidderminster keeper flew out at her feet to save.

Ross brought Ruby Wood out of goal and put Kellie Cutter in, who made a fantastic save after only being on the pitch for two minutes to keep them in the game.

And their determination paid off with two minutes to go when Mica Walker, Wood and Millie Malsom combined to win the ball and set up Lauren Creed to fire home and secure a much-deserved 1-1 draw.

Ross knew, with only 11 players now available they were going to have to dig deep in the second game, as Kidderminster threw the kitchen sink at Juniors, knowing a win would give them third.

Cara Wright, Abbie Fuszard, Keira Brain and Meg Boardman defended for their lives heading and kicking everything, while Macy Walker, Wood and Mica Walker showed huge energy in midfield in the blistering conditions, alongside Creed and Lily Irving, with Malsom as the lone striker up front taking pressure off her team mates driving them up the pitch time and time again.

Ross then managed to turnover a counter attack, with Irving driving towards goal before being bundled over in the box for a penalty.

The 16-year-old dusted herself off to then step up and smash home from the spot for a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes left.

Kidderminster were now pushing hard and with 30 seconds left squeezed home a leveller, a cruel late blow, which still didn’t tarnish the team’s acheivement as they held on to place third.

Telling the team of his pride, coach Carl Roberts told them they had shown maturity beyond their years, great fitness levels and a never-say-die attitude.

Meanwhile, Ross Ladies (sponsored by Kings Accountancy Ltd, Ross Health and Fitness and SCAFFOLDING 2000 LTD) finished their season with a 6-1 midweek home win in the sunshine against Ledbury, matching their club mates by finishing third in the Herefordshire Women’s League.

Creating chances and playing some delightful passing football, Ladies led 2-0 at the break and added a third 10 minutes into the second period before Ledbury pulled one back from the penalty spot with half an hour to play.

Ross then went up a gear and added three more goals, although as with the Women, another injury to a player required a hospital visit.

The scorers were Nicola Wall with a brace, and Jess Brain, Anna Craig, Hannah Jenkins and Ramona Cucos.