MERCIAN Fortis Junior League Under 12s Division One leaders Newtown Sports Juniors suffered a Ron Handy Memorial Shield quarter-final loss.

In-form Worcester Colts won 2-1 at a Malvern side who had lost just one of their 11 league fixtures this season.

Newtown started brightly and Luke Meredith escaped down the right, cutting the ball back for Jonny Laycock to deservedly put them in front.

But Colts replied with an attack down the right finished off by Hayden Leek.

Both defences were busy with strong displays from Newtown’s Joe Jackson, Jack Sampson, Sam Green and Cameron Tucker.

The second-half deadlock was broken when a searching ball forward led to a controversial penalty.

Despite a fine effort by keeper Dominic Hiles, Jack Hobbs buried the spot-kick for Worcester’s winner.

Newtown have won ten matches this season, scoring 70 goals.

Meanwhile, Welland Juniors Lions under 11s edged through to the Phillip Jeynes Memorial Cup semi-finals with a 5-4 win on penalties at Newtown Sports Juniors.

The Lions defence stood strong early on and they took the lead through Lennox Juden, who skipped past several tackles to slot home.

Newtown equalised in the second period after a Welland mistake and each team hit the woodwork.

With no goals in extra-time, Welland keeper Charlie Cain saved a spot-kick before his team-mates all netted with Theo Clifford scoring the final penalty.