Sparks hits four as Whitchurch A take a big win in Avon Youth League

Jacob Sparks hit four goals as Whitchurch Sports A Under-12s return to winning ways in Division II of the Avon Youth League with a crushing 7-0 victory over Broadwalk.

Sparks opened the scoring with a 20-yard thunderbolt over the keeper's head after Josh Pitts had rolled a free-kick into his path.

The second was an unfortunate own goal after Robbie Dixon's shot bounced off the Broadwalk keeper and rebounded into the net off a defender.

Dixon made it 3-0 with a fine turn and shot from inside the penalty area before Sparks added the fourth after an enterprising run and finish.

Broadwalk put up a spirited display in the second half and enjoyed plenty of possession. But, with 10 minutes left, the hosts regained their momentum and Sparks completed his hat-trick with a fine finish from a Pitts pass.

Sparks made it 6-0 with a tap-in after Dixon's shot had been parried and Connor Perry completed the scoring following a bustling run by Chris French.

Joe Newman showed tremendous composure under pressure as Shirehampton Colts clinched their first Under-12 Division II victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Winterbourne United.

United dominated the early exchanges and went close through Ross Sharpe, Dan Kerton and a long-range Taine Buffery attempt, before snatching the lead on the stroke of half-time when Tom Curnock fed Jamie Studley to slot home.

Curnock hit a post before Shirehampton levelled with five minutes remaining through Newman, before going on to gain all three points when the same player coolly drilled home a last-minute penalty.

Elsewhere in Division II, St Nicholas A maintained the pressure at the top with an emphatic 6-0 away win over Nicholas Wanderers.

Harry Phillips opened the scoring after the Wanderers keeper was unable to hold a cross, the ball falling invitingly to Phillips to tap in.

Matt Spencer-Smith put Saints 2-0 up when the ball fell to him 25 yards from goal and he clipped a superb shot over the stranded keeper's head. Phillips made it 3-0 at half-time with a first-time finish after Luke Mundy had headed on a corner.

Saints stretched their lead when Phillips chipped a free-kick into the box for Mundy to run in and flick a header into the net.

Mundy netted again from close range after the ever-dangerous Phillips had forced a good save from the Wanderers keeper before going to complete his hat-trick with Saints' final goal. Wanderers failed to clear a corner and Josh Palmer lobbed the ball back into the box for the impressive Mundy to run on to and glance a header into the net.

Saint Vallier finally clinched their first Under-12 Division I win of the season with a fantastic team performance to beat Bristol Rovers SCJ A 7-3 away, despite conceding two goals in the first 15 minutes.

Far from allowing their heads to drop, Saints responded with goals from Jack McDaid and Josh Morris to make it 2-2, only for Rovers to regain the lead in the final minute of the first half. Still Saints weren't finished, however, and Jacob Reid got them back on level terms to set the scene for a confident second-half display.

The outcome was settled by two goals from man of the match Liam Dorman, followed by strikes from Forhan Ali Suleyman and Amari Hyton, as Saints ran riot to register three overdue points.

Nicholas Wanderers retained their unbeaten record in Under-13 Division III with a terrific 5-3 win at Keynsham Town B.

Goals from Ryan Hyde (2), Toby Werrett, Harry Owens and Jamie Jonas made it 21 points from a possible 24.

Despite coach Bob Day being on holiday in Portugal, Southmead SC Colts Under-13s continued their good form in Division V with a 14-0 win over Downend Wanderers, who never let their heads drop.

James Batt led the bonanza with four goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Ashley Hayes (3), Kieron Johns (2), Daniel Addey, Jimi Brock, Tom Head (penalty), Cory Harrison and Connor Trump.