Ben is quick off the mark for Downend

Star Match: Downend Wanderers 3 Hanham Athletic 1: Avon Youth League, Under-12 Division V: Downend Wanderers Under-12s picked up their third win of the season at the expense of Hanham Athletic.

Substitute Ben Farrow put them on their way with the opening goal shortly after joining the action in the first half. Matt Kirby and Tom Shore stretched the lead in the second half before Ben Glasson scored a late consolation goal for Hanham.

The match, which was handled superbly by young referee Jake Haskins, started slowly with neither side able to keep possession for a sustained period of time, and a long-range effort from Downend's Tom Shore, that forced a corner, was the only shot on goal in the opening stages.

The action picked up on 15 minutes when a great run down the left and accurate cross from Ben Waters found Michael May, but Hanham keeper Roy Yapp pulled off a tremendous save, leaping high to palm the shot over the crossbar.

Downend looked the better team at this stage, with the excellent Kirby strong and solid at the back, snuffing out any Hanham threat.

An inspired substitution provided the breakthrough goal on 22 minutes. Waters and Shore combined well in midfield, enabling Shore to motor to the byline before cutting the ball back to the near post, where the newly-introduced Ben Farrow opened his body up and steered it across the keeper and into the back of the net with only his second touch of the game.

Farrow nearly made it 2-0 minutes later, shooting just wide from the edge of the box after being set up by the industrious Waters.

Hanham created a rare opening when Jamie Jenkins lifted a pass over the Downed defence for Josh Knight to run on to, but he was fractionally beaten to the ball by keeper Jonny Taylor.

Downend had a let-off early in the second half when a ball over the top released Knight, but his left-footed shot was just wide with the home keeper stranded.

Hanham were beginning to dominate in midfield and carved out several more chances. Cameron Perring won the ball in his own half before executing an outstanding defence-splitting pass which sent Knight racing through. Knight drove into the box, but just as he was about to hit the ball it took a bobble and he fired harmlessly wide.

Then, following a defensive mistake, Glasson fired a cracking shot across goal, but a fantastic one-handed diving save from Chris White kept the ball out.

It proved a vital stop as Downend raced upfield and made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. A throw-in bounced up awkwardly and struck a Hanham player's arm and Kirby stepped up to coolly strike the spot-kick into the top corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards, Farrow latched on to a long ball out of defence, beat a defender and sent in a shot which Yapp turned behind for a corner. From the flag-kick, Kirby managed to steer the ball past the keeper, only for Elliott Mainstone to clear off the line.

Two minutes later, Downend were awarded a bizarre second penalty when the Hanham keeper failed to collect a corner and one of his defenders inexplicably picked the ball up with both hands.

Kirby again took responsibility but this time he hit the ball straight at the keeper, who saved with his legs.

Then a free-kick from Shore forced another great stop from Yapp. The rebound fell for Kirby, whose shot grazed the outside of a post.

Downend made it 3-0 six minutes from time. Toby Collis picked the ball up inside Hanham's half before playing a splendid ball over the top for Shore to fasten on to and calmly find the bottom corner of the net .

Hanham deservedly pulled a goal back two minutes later when the ball fell to Glasson on the penalty spot and his shot squirmed under the keeper and into the net.

There was still time for a couple of late Hanham attacks, but the Downend keeper bravely threw himself at the feet of Knight and then pulled off a full-length save to keep out Matthew Wingfield's shot and preserve his team's two-goal cushion.

Downend Wanderers: Sean Leonard, Ben Waters, Tom Shore, Dan Rozzell, Jonny Taylor, Will Smith, Clayton Batt, Tom Wadsworth, Chris White, Ben Farrow, Michael May, Dan Harris, Toby Collis, Matt Kirby.

Hanham Athletic: Roy Yapp, Jack Patten, Connor Whittaker, Jack Crompton, Cameron Perring, Matthew Wingfield, Matthew Smith, George Boulton, Ben Glasson, Josh Knight, Elliott Hagety, Elliott Maidstone, Jamie Jenkins, Kieran Martin.

Star Man: Matt Kirby (Downend Wanderers): Was rock-solid and composed at the back in the first half, winning everything that came his way, and led the attack well after being switched up front in the second period.