COLNE Clarets Under 14s had a titanic struggle with fellow league leaders Michelin at the weekend, finally sharing the spoils 3-3.

The Clarets were trailing 0-2, but fought back with goals from Ashley Smith and Richard Edwards to level the match and even took the lead with a goal from John Gouch, but had to settle for a draw at the end with captain Mark Feeney in outstanding form for Colne. No such luck for the Under 11s in the Cup, losing out to a strong Barrowford side 4-0. Colne's Luke Smith catching the eye.

THIS was the first of three games between the Tigers played back to back to clear up the fixtures for the season. Whalley needed to take four points from the three games to finish a creditable fourth in their first season in competitive football. Whalley started the brighter with Ben Wright and Sam Taylor pulling the strings in midfield. Turton gradually got into the game and sterling work by Donald Wharton and Bobby Westwood in defence kept Turton at bay. A draw was a fair result in an exciting encounter and Whalley took the first point in their quest for the four points they needed. Donald Wharton was named man of the match.

WHALLEY again started the brighter and this time they made their early superiority pay off when man of the match Sam Taylor thundered in a tremendous half-volley which proved to be the winner. Turton fought tigerishly, but could not get an equaliser, three points now gained by Whalley with one more to go.

THIS time around it was Turton who did all the early pressing as they did not want to lose that fourth spot. Whalley's defence came under tremendous pressure as Turton won corner after corner, but they found Aaron Catchpole in the Whalley goal in inspired form and a series of superb saves throughout the game won him the man of the match award and more importantly the vital point Whalley needed for fourth position in the league. A very creditable finish to a very good first season and manager Phil Taylor has high hopes for next season.

ONCE again Blackburn Boys overcame a hard-working STASH team led by Kieron Hopkinson.

An early goal was scored by Blackburn when Chris Smalley passed to Lee Smith who ran at the Stash defence, before laying on a ball for Jack Regan to drill past Stash's keeper.

Blackburn could not increase their lead even though hard working Nathan Cross went close a number of times, in midfield Mark Ratuzniak battled hard with the Stash boys throughout the game.

Blackburn keeper Grant Jenkinson had little to do in goal mainly down to the ever-improving defensive pairing of Matt Andrew and Chris Smalley who worked hard to keep the Stash attack at bay. Blackburn subs Blaine McDermott and Mark Wiggins were unlucky not to get a game, but the team were playing too well to change it.

Manager Mark Cross awarded the whole team the man of the match due to the fine team performance.

THE ever-popular Five-A-Side football competition sponsored by Farleys Solicitors in conjunction with the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is proving so successful, organisers are requesting any further teams to apply quickly.

The event will be staged at the Sporturf pitches at Witton Country Park and will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13.

There are four groups - under 11 boys, under 13 boys, under 12 girls (all ages as at August 1, 1998) and senior men.

"Teams anticipating entering the competition should do so well before the closing date for entries which is Friday, May 21 or when 16 teams per group have entered," said Steve Lee, the Council's Community Events Officer.

He added: "Some of the groups are nearing capacity now.' Entry forms are available from Steve Lee, Community Events Unit, West Park Lodge, West Park Road, Blackburn BB2 6DG or ring 01254 697946. The entry fee is £7.50 per team.

ST JOSEPH'S Under 14s reached the league championship final after a hard-fought semi-final against Blackburn Dynamos.

In a game of few scoring opportunities, neither side was able to find the net in either normal or extra time.

A penalty shootout therefore ensued, and after five spot kicks from each side the teams were still level. However, in the first sudden death penalty, Tom Braysford converted his spot kick but the Dynamos' effort was saved by keeper Adam Jarrett who made several good saves from the earlier penalties.

Adam deservedly won both the referee's and manager's man of the match awards for his vital saves which ensured his team's Mark Wiggins were unlucky not to get a game, but the team were playing too well to change it.

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