Mill Hill St Peters under 12s 4 Ivy Rovers under 12s 1

WHEN two sides with contrasting styles meet, something has to give and it was Mill Hill's more direct approach that overcame Ivy Rovers' passing game.

Three times their long ball system undid Rovers' defence who were caught cold route one style.

Rovers ran the show for large periods with Gavin Harrison, Mitchel Lucas and Ian Haslam particularly impressive.

But one pass too many and the failure to test Mill Hill keeper Michael Isherwood cost them dear.

In fact, Ivy took the lead and it was one of the few times they used the long ball game themselves.

Harrison refused to give up what seemed to be a hopeless cause when he chased a long ball upfield. But when the last defender slipped and fell, the tall striker was in like a flash and clinically fired the ball past Isherwood.

Clearly wearing the coveted number nine top - awarded to the previous game's man-of-the-match - was having its effect on Harrison.

And they could have doubled their lead soon after when a strong run and cross by Michael O'Boyle was met with an acrobatic diving header by Haslam but he could not keep his effort on target.

But Mill Hill had already shown how dangerous they could be on the break even before they equalised when Danny Melia fired into the side netting and then Ivy keeper Brett Thomas had to be alert to turn a Mark Livesey drive around the post.

However the impressive Livesey had a hand in Mill Hill's opening goal when his long pass found Jordan Ashburn who raced clear of the flat back line to score. Melia went close again for Mill Hill, only to be denied by Thomas, then Michael Roberts booted the ball up field which led to a charge of the light brigade from Mill Hill's strikers and Melia was first to the ball to score.

Ivy showed they could still be just as dangerous with their own brand of football and Harrison went desperately close when his shot went just wide.

Ivy upped the tempo after the break and should have made all their possession count.

Harrison was again in the thick of the action and Aaron Davis and Tim Andrews both went close with efforts.

But Mill Hill weathered the storm and their classy captain Livesey was spraying passing all over the field. One run and shot from the skipper brought out a good save from Thomas.

Now it was Ivy's turn to feel the pressure and as their defence pushed up, the long ball over the top caught them out again and Melia managed to stay on his feet to grab his second.

Haslam went close to pulling a goal back for Ivy but hit the post from close range. And Mill Hill settled the tie at the end when a poor goal kick by Thomas went straight to Livesey who fired home from just inside the area.

Mill Hill St Peters: Michael Isherwood, Simon Gill, Matthew Holden, Michael Roberts, Hayden Lunn, Mark Livesey, Kieron Ryan, Liam O'Doherty, Anthony Ashton, Danny Melia and Jordan Ashburn. Subs: Lee Spencer and Michael Lenahan.

Ivy Rovers: Brett Thomas, Kevin Holden, Aaron Davis, Stan Cox, Simon Perkins, Michael O'Boyle, Mitchel Lucas, Tim Andrews, Ian Haslam, Gavin Harrison, Liam Thomas. Subs: Matthew O'Boyle.

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