Victories in crucial clashes for Grantham Town Under 16s and 18s.
Grantham Town Under 16s made it back-to-back wins in the National Premier Conference League with a 5-1 demolition of last year's winners Kidderminster Harriers Red.
With the visitors boasting a 100 percent win record for the start of the league season, Town knew Harriers would pose a difficult challenge.
However, following victory at bottom side Halas Hawks last week, the Gingerbreads went into the game full of confidence.
Indeed it was Grantham who began with a real intensity from the first whistle by applying a high press to the Harriers' back line and giving no time in possession to their ball-playing midfielders.
As such Town created the first opportunity to score, Rhys Stevens flicking the ball on to Will Phillips to break down the right but his shot from the angle was subsequently turned over the bar by the visiting goalkeeper.
The aggressive press from Grantham almost paid dividends when Aston Taylor forced a defensive error and saw him bear down on goal but again the Harriers keeper was equal to it.
Then, as the end of the first quarter approached, a long throw into the Kidderminster box by Zak Coleman wasn't dealt with and Gethan Flint prodded home the loose ball to give Grantham a deserved lead.
The hard working Taylor forced another error but this time failed to hit the target with a curling effort.
But then a goal-of-the-season contender from Jacob Price doubled Grantham’s advantage.
As a bouncing ball made its way clear of the Kidderminster penalty area, Price struck a first time half volley from fully 30 yards into the top corner of the net, beyond the reach of the keeper to make it 2-0.
Town were relentless with their energy and aggression and, as half-time approached, another Coleman throw-in wasn't dealt with and Rhys Stevens swept in from close range for 3-0.
There was time for one more chance before the break as Henry Thomas struck a powerful long range effort just wide of the right hand post.
Kidderminster had their moments in the first half by forcing a few corners and free kicks, but the backline of the hosts had dealt very well with any threat.
The second half began with another golden chance for Grantham as a long kick from keeper Harri Bexon sent Nikolas Adamopoulos through but his shot shaved the top of the crossbar and went over.
Henry Thomas tested the hands of the Harriers keeper once more with a rasping drive from the edge of the box, following a cleared corner kick.
But Town did get a fourth goal to effectively put the game out of reach for the visitors when Maks Nowak’s inswinging freekick was headed past his own keeper by a Harriers defender.
Kidderminster had a chance with a curling effort that went just wide but it was Grantham who scored again.
Taylor's flick over the defender's head sent Stevens into the box and his first time strike crashed into the roof of the net to make it five.
The visitors did grab a consolation goal late on, breaking down the left and a cross was headed home at the near post.
But that shouldn't take anything away from a fantastic win and performance for Grantham as they now turn their attention to the JPL Cup next weekend.
Grantham Town Under 18s triumphed in their top of the table clash in the Nottinghamshire Youth League on Saturday.
The third-placed Gingerbreads were 2-1 winners over league leaders Sherwood Colliery and now trail the pacesetters by just three points while having a game in hand.
Buoyed by their recent attacking form, the young Gingerbreads set up in a bold 3-4-3 formation, aiming to exploit their offensive strengths.
The match lived up to its billing, with Grantham delivering a performance of remarkable discipline and attacking flair to secure a crucial victory.
The visitors began brighter, pressing Sherwood and asserting dominance early on.
However, Sherwood's threat was made clear when a one-on-one chance was expertly saved by Greenslade, who dived low to his right to deny the hosts.
This key moment galvanized Grantham, who responded with a first-half display of relentless attacking intent.
Stevens was the stand-out, netting two goals before the break and creating havoc in the Sherwood defence. His sharp movement and finishing could easily have added more to his tally.
Stevens' efforts were complemented by Price, whose intelligent positioning and use of space on the right flank created opportunities and contributed to the build-up for both goals.
At the other end, the defensive heroics of Scott, Guest and Varcianna held firm, ensuring a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Sherwood adjusted in the second half, moving to a 4-1-4-1 and later a 3-5-2 formation in a bid to break Grantham;s shape.
The Gingerbreads adapted by switching to a 4-5-1, soaking up pressure with resilience.
Despite their solid defensive efforts, Grantham conceded a soft goal that brought Sherwood back into the game.
The hosts pushed forward for the last 15 minutes and, as the game rolled into eight minutes of stoppage time, the Grantham coaching staff agreed on reverting to their attacking 3-4-3 to counter Sherwood's aggression.
This decision almost yielded a third goal with Johnson and Redgate both going close.
Johnson excelled in his duels on the right while Redgate narrowly missed with a side-footed effort.
In the end, Grantham's composure and teamwork saw them hold on for a vital win which sets up an exciting finish to the season.
