The wait for a win is over for Crowland Under 12s. A four-goal salvo from Lukas Wood and a super brace from skipper Ryan Kirchin enabled the Lincs lads to toast a first victory since a major summer rebuilding job. They recorded a 6-3 success at P & T Panthers to give manager Stuart Wood a first three-point haul to reward his sterling summer efforts after the team had been left with a chronic shortage of players at the end of last season.

26/09/06 INJURED ace Hayden Errico delivered a classy cameo to help Northborough claim their first win of the season. CROWLAND 1, NORTHBOROUGH 3 (Under 12 Division Three) Errico has been struggling with a knee problem which meant he wasn't fit enough to be included in the starting line-up of the Northborough team managed by his father Angelo Errico, but he still produced a star turn during a 25-minute appearance. Northborough had fallen behind to a Darren Hagan goal for the home side after only 10 minutes - and that was the way it stayed until the second half. Olly Mowforth was in the right place at the right time to slot Northborough level and that was the cue for the village side to take control. Two unfortunate own goals handed them the lead to effectively seal the points. And boss Errico hopes this three points can provide the perfect catalyst for Northborough to fulfil their dream of winning promotion. He said: "We finished third last season and were a bit unlucky to miss out on going up so we definitely want to achieve that this season. "It looks a tough league and I'd expect the two teams to have beaten us this season, Wisbech St Mary and Whittlesey, to be right up there. "But hopefully we can put some good results together and challenge as well." And the manager was pleased with the way his lads overcame a sticky start to overcome Crowland. He added: "Our performance in the second half was much better. We passed the ball around well and played with much more composure. "Hayden wasn't fit enough to play the whole game, but came on as a sub and gave us a little bit extra." Boss Errico praised the efforts of Ben Cooper and Morgan Greeves at the back and also saluted the jobs done by Tim MacDonald and Dominic Darmanin in the centre of the park. Just being able to field a side is an achievemnt in itself for Crowland. They were left with only five players when manager Stuart Wood took over in the summer but he has boosted numbers back up to 13. A number of his recruits had never played competitive football before this season and the boss is heartened by the start they have made. He said: "It was a case of getting lads interested, getting them in boots and getting them out there. A lot hadn't played competitively before but we hope we can move onwards and upwards. "I thought we might get something out of the game on Saturday because we did really well in the first half but then conceded three simple goals." 27 September 2006