YOUTH FOOTBALL: Lower Beeding Lions U16s are champions while Roffey Robins and Chesworth’s fight for U12 title goes to the wire

Lions did it the hard way, conceding in the first five minutes when a cross looped over keeper Sean Richardson.

Lions were soon into their stride as they kept possession for long periods and besieged St Paul’s goal.

The breakthrough finally came in the last minute of the first half, Andrew Roberts ghosted past the St Paul’s defence then slid the ball to Liam Ruz who poked it past the keeper.

The second half saw a more composed Lions side as they broke down the now rather tired defence. The pressure told, after 15 minutes of the second period Aaron Pyzer’s corner swung directly into the net to make it 2 -1, Ruz then set up Callum Nash to close the game off for Lions and secure the title.

Lions squad: Andrew Roberts, Matt Streeter, Ed Kear, Jacob Dean, Alex Moore, Sean Richardson, Kyran Penny, Liam Kidd, Charlie Blair-Rains, Sam Morey, Callum Nash, Liam Ruz, Adam Ruz, Joe Wright, Dan Riley, Tom Gregory, Sean Gulliver, and Aaron Pyzer.

The Under-12 league title will go down to the wire with Chesworth Rovers leading Roffey Robins United by a goal difference of two heading into the final weekend.

Chesworth were 2-0 up at half-time against Crawley United through Elliott Bennett and Harrison Mott but were rattled after the break as the resilient visitors pulled level after 40 minutes. Bennett scored two more, Mott added another and Tim Bennett netted the sixth to achieve the vital 6-2 victory that keeps Chesworth in pole position as they have been all season.

Roffey produced their best performance so far this season to brush aside third placed Steyning 6-0 to continue to put the pressure on Chesworth.

Roffey started the game brightly and when Will Price was brought down in the box Matt Weaire stepped up to convert a penalty to put the host 1-0 up. Callum Jeal’s hard work led to James Pearse scoring their second goal. Speedy Reece Church was brought down in the box Weaire converted his second penalty.

In the second half the lively Max Furber was brought down and once again Weaire scored the ensuing penalty to complete his hat-trick of penalties.

Max Furber then scored with a cool headed finish to make the score 6-0. Roffey remain joint top having scored two goals fewer than Chesworth with one game to play.

Broadbridge Heath U12s clinched their league title with a comprehensive 8-0 victory against Horsham Ambassadors.

Goals by Tom Clark, Tyler Symonds (four) and Finlay Smithers-Green helped Broadbridge Heath get the better of a battling Ambassadors team. Jack Haines (two) completed the scoring with Symonds earning the Man of the Match awards.

Horsham Sparrows Girls U12s’ Ava Hutson scored both goals, one from the penalty spot to secure victory over Southdown.

Edie Tippins and Shreeya Padiar were both solid in defence and Issy Donnelly was player of the game for Sparrows.

Broadbridge Heath U14s produced an excellent display to beat Saint Hill 6-2 and stay in the hunt for the title with one match left.

Goals by Mitchell Clark, Matt Penfold, Joel Colbran and Joe Kirkham set up the convincing victory which was rounded off with a penalty by Jordan Bell after Jack Sizzey was tripped in the area.

The win sets up a title deciding final league fixture of the season this Saturday against Cranleigh at Broadbridge Heath.

The visitors need a draw to secure their first league title and Heath must win to retain the title for a fourth consecutive season.