SPEN Valley Schools FA Under-12 representative side earned a hard-fought home draw against Derby Schools.
Midfield play dominated early on. Spen made a breakthrough when Jordan Garrick played in Ryan Higgins and his defence-splitting pass was met by Bradley Wild, who finished from close range.
Spen grew in confidence, inspired from the back by Rober
t Naylor, Declan Blakeley and Charles Gallagher.
Derby equalised when a cross evaded everyone and was slotted in from eight yards.
Mohammed Sadiq’s excellent through ball found Sheridan Cox, he released Joe Woodhouse to shoot but they were denied by the Derby goalkeeper.
Just before the break neat play between Garrick and Wild created an opening for Sadiq but his shot went wide.
Spen’s Abdou Bojang and Tynan Neagle linked well and created a threat down the right.
Derby were restricted by solid defence from Steven Reynolds, George Pickles and Tom Thackray. Spen were unlucky when a good cross by Jordan Damiani was well saved as was a strike by Harry Tingle.
Spen’s final chance followed a flowing move involving Tingle, Bojang and Wild but Neagle fired just over.
For all Spen’s pressure Derby almost clinched it late on but were denied by a fine double save from Sam Whittington.
