The oldest youth team belonging to the Ross Juniors football club, the Under 17s, had mixed fortunes again either side of the half term holiday.

Playing at home against two teams below them in the league gave the Ross coaches, Mark and Tony Fletcher, hope that the team would take six points from first Wellington, and then Bartestree’s Colts.

The lads were slightly guilty of not giving Wellington due respect, with some loose defending that saw the visitors one-nil up inside twenty minutes, before Seb Lawson equalised with a well taken strike just inside the box.

Wellington had certainly brought an aggressive game plan with many late tackles flying in, resulting in a couple of bookings before half time. After the break, Ross took the lead and appeared to be on course to win by maintaining good pressure.

There were a couple of close efforts from Ollie Lloyd, but the home side just could not convert to give them scoreboard breathing space.

Against the run of play, Wellington scored with a long range strike that gave Ethan Lerego in goal no chance, and with this was with only minutes of the left game to go.

Ross’ frustration was further compounded as the influential, Fin Mudie-Jones, was badly fouled as Ross pressed for a late winner.

This unfortunate event earned the Wellington defender a second yellow card, but unfortunately there was no time to make the numerical advantage pay.

Ross Juniors Under 17s were then determined to put things right against Bartestree’s second side a week later, controlling the territory and possession from the kick off.

Olly Lloyd worked well down the right hand side, using his pace to get to the byline two or three times, before crossing a low ball for Max Jennings to finish from fifteen yards out.

Max became provider for the next three goals that Ross managed to score; this included two from Adam Davies, who was playing on the wide left, and the last for striker, Joe Thomas, who deserved a such a goal for what was a very fine display.

Full backs, Ben Fletcher and Jeremy Dijkens, were particularly effective throughout the game, ensuring the supply for Bartestree was minimal, and were consistently linking well with Alfie Robinson, who was playing in midfield, as Mudie-Jones was unfortunately still injured from the previous week.

Ross-on-Wye now lie sixth in the table of ten, but with at least one game in hand over all the other teams. The team are continuing to push to gain an even greater lead in the table, and every member is continuing to play very well.

This Sunday is the long awaiting cup semi-final away at Shobden, twice postponed due to weather, for the right to play Hereford United in the final.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.