NEWLY promoted Upperthong are still finding their feet in the top flight of the Under 14s and after a narrow 2-1 defeat at Yorkshire Lions in the opening game of the season, the Holmfirth side were hoping for better things.

Battyeford were also hoping to improve on their sixth place finish last season.

With bright sunshine and a cricket game in progress, Lockwood’s Woodfield Park, which is home for this Upperthong side, provided a beautiful setting for sport

The first half proved short on goals as Upperthong’s Max Kaye and Battyeford’s Josh Rawcliffe were outstanding in the centre of their defences.

Despite playing some nice passing football, Upperthong’s hopes of better things looked decidedly doubtful, and as Battyeford pressed forward relentlessly, it seemed just a matter of time before the visitors took the lead.

But the Battyeford strikers were having an off day and the missed chances cost them dearly when, from a half-cleared corner, Kaye hit a thunderous shot from 20 yards into the top corner to give Upperthong the advantage.

An equaliser in the opening minute of the second half might have put a different complexion on the game but Danny Sheard’s shot trickled just wide of a post as the Battyeford strikers still struggled to hit the target.

With Battyeford’s confidence fading, Upperthong were now beginning to take control and their second goal came when a corner fell for Jack Sewell to head home from six yards.

Battyeford’s last clear chance came when Sheard found space on the left to rifle in a powerful shot from 10 yards and, although goalkeeper Whitehead was equal to the challenge, the rebound fell to Yusuf Mujahid who watched in agony as his shot skimmed the top of the crossbar.

With Battyeford now in desperate need of a goal, Upperthong’s Michael Modeste was given room to make the best of his speed, and the skilful right-winger put in two crosses in as many minutes which were both converted by Richard Marshall to put the result beyond doubt.

Ben Houston made it five for the home side with a speculative 20-yard drive in the closing minutes.