Late goals help Maidenhead United Junior Bullets to victory over FC Holyport

Youth football returned to the playing fields of the Thames Valley and beyond this weekend, with Maidenhead teams in the thick of the action.

There was a local derby at u16s level between Maidenhead United Junior Bullets and FC Holyport and the Juniors got their Wycombe and South Bucks Minor Football League season off to a great start with a 3-1 victory.

Maidenhead took the lead after five minutes before Holyport managed to regroup and get themselves back in the contest.

They put the Juniors defence under plenty of pressure, but the hosts managed to hold firm - with their goalkeeper in particularly fine form.

The pressure continued to build in the second half, and Holyport were eventually rewarded for their efforts with an equaliser with 10 minutes to play.

At that stage it looked like it could be anyone's game - but it was Maidenhead who had the last laugh, scoring twice in the final five minutes to claim all three points.

The Thames Valley Football Development League also started at the weekend with games being played at u7s level through to u11s level.

In accordance with a recent Football Association instruction, heading of the ball has been removed for players at u7s-u9s, with an indirect free kick being awarded to the opposition for any deliberate headers.

In addition, throw-ins have been replaced with kick-ins/dribble-ins for the same age ranges.

These initiatives are designed to increase focus on ball control for the younger age groups and it is hoped will lead to them developing better ball skills while also making the game more appealing to a wider range of children.