UTTOXETER Juniors under-14 made a flying start to the new Burton & District Junior League campaign with a 5-1 defeat of Newhall in Division Two as Jack Scallan grabbed a hat-trick.
Scallan soon made up for missing from the penalty spot when he reacted the quickest to a Harry Edwards header to fire Uttoxeter in front.
He struck again before halftime when he won the race to reach Eden Johnson’s pass before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Newhall reduced the deficit early in the second half but Matthew Hollins restored Juniors’ two-goal advantage when he hammered home.
The lead was increased when Jordan Hickey’s superb cross was smashed home by Lewis Hudson.
Scallan completed the scoring, this time making no mistake from the spot.
UTTOXETER Juniors Grey under-11 kicked off their new season on Saturday in the magnificent surroundings of the FA’s National Football Centre at St George’s Park but were unable to open their account with a win, going down 4-2 to a spirited Rocester side.
A poor start saw Uttoxeter concede within the first minute after losing the ball in midfield.
Much of the first half saw Uttoxeter camped inside the Rocester half but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal proved costly.
Rocester always looked likely on the break and from one such foray Uttoxeter were guilty of ball watching as Rocester struck for a second goal with a sharp shot into the corner.
The scoreline was looking harsh on Uttoxeter after their territorial domination but just before half time there was at last some reward when the ball broke to Jay Hughes Ratcliffe, who beat two players before unleashing a low shot into the left corner.
Uttoxeter needed to increase the tempo and start strongly in the second period, but instead in a carbon copy of the first half another loose pass was seized upon early by Rocester, who again broke through the middle to score.
In a more even contest, both sides struggled to gain the ascendancy with chances at both ends before a Uttoxeter break from the centre circle saw Tom Hickinson make no mistake from the edge of the Rocester penalty area with a low right-footed shot.
The game was in the balance but Rocester managed to find a little extra energy in the hot conditions to break down the Uttoxeter right and once again fire a low shot into the corner.
ROCESTER Juniors under-10 Blue fought back to earn a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Riverside Athletic after going a goal down.
Early pressure from Riverside tested Rocester keeper Jack Wright and the defensive duo of Jack Capewell and Jack Underhill to the full.
Riverside took the lead in the second half when a brilliant first-time shot unfortunately struck the hand of a Rocester player, resulting in a penalty to which Wright bravely got a touch but could not keep out.
Rocester pushed forward for an equaliser and were rewarded when midfielder Bobby Samuel clipped a delightful free kick over the defensive wall and beyond the reach of the keeper.
UTTOXETER Juniors White under-10 went down 2-0 against Riverside Athletic Black in their opening fixture.
Juniors created very little going forward and had to be thankful to the defence, who worked hard all game trying to keep Riverside out.
Riverside almost broke the deadlock on the break when Juniors had to be thankful to Conlon Newton-Taylor for pulling off a fantastic save at his far post.
Riverside finally took took the lead just before the break, firing the ball into the corner of the net after Juniors failed to clear their lines.
The second half was all Riverside and they soon doubled their lead.
The closest Juniors came to a goal was when Owen Watson hit the side netting.
DOVERIDGE under-9 had expected to open their Division Two campaign against Outwoods Eagles but had to settle for playing a friendly after the referee failed to put in an appearance.
Doveridge started brightly and in a fluid move between Alfie Clowes and Billy Eley they almost snatched an early lead.
Doveridge almost took the lead when Eley whipped in a swinging corner that only needed the faintest of touches.
Eagles were always dangerous on the break and took the lead late in the first half.
The game finished 1-0 to Outwoods, but Doveridge could take many positives from it.
