Welwyn Pegasus map enjoyable route to big time

Mini-Soccer School shows off its young talent after successful bid in Independent's Christmas auction

The playing fields off Ottway Walk, in the prosperous Hertfordshire town of Welwyn, teem with small footballers and accompanying parents. A few minutes earlier, more than 100 members of the Welwyn Pegasus Mini-Soccer school have gathered for a mass team photo. ("Are you going to win today?" "Yes!!" "Sorry, I didn't quite hear that...")

Now we are only minutes away from the big Saturday kick-off against local rivals Gosling Youth and Lemsford Youth, action that will take place under the keen gaze of the school's co-ordinator Tim Ball, whose bid in The Independent's Christmas auction earned the Hope for Africa appeal an extra £501 and secured Welwyn Pegasus an Independent sports reporter for the day.

But before the first Under-10s match on the top field, between Pegasus Royals and Lemsford, can get under way, there is urgent business to be attended to as Ball, a former Stevenage Borough midfielder, confers with the 16-year-old match referee, Daniel Bradbury.

"Are there any loos about?" the referee inquires.

"We should have one but it's over there and we have to get a key. Do you want to go now?"

"Yes."

"Well if you look down there... you see that bloke?"

"In the hot dog van?"

"Yes. There should be a key there."

The visiting team, meanwhile, have found their own solution, forcing their way urgently through a gap in the pitch-side hedge.

Welwyn Pegasus have been in existence for 33 years, their most famous former member being the sometime England keeper David James. How many of those present and correct today will make the big time remains to be seen. What is certain is that these youngsters, playing seven-a-side on reduced pitches, will pursue their sporting ambitions in a sane atmosphere.

"This is not a win-at-all-costs club," says the Pegasus chairman, Colin Bifield, as he watches the Under-7s and Under-8s play Gosling on the lower field. "We want people to enjoy playing." By the end of the day, both goals appear to have been met as the younger Pegasus age groups win seven out of eight.

Nature's needs have been met on the top field and the Mid Herts Rural Minors League (Amber Division) game is under way. Joe Lovell, bringing the ball out of defence for Royals, decides to shoot. The startled opposing keeper can only divert his effort inside the top left-hand corner and Lovell wheels round with arms aloft before returning to his position.

There is polite applause. Overheated mums and dads are not encouraged at Pegasus, who expect players and parents to sign a code of conduct. That code does not stifle the occasional exuberant celebration, however. Back on the lower field a Pegasus Under-8 goal provokes a little dance of approval from the home keeper, who concludes his performance by swinging from the crossbar. The game is being refereed by one of the Gosling Youth coaches, who maintains a running commentary. "David! David! Head up!... Go on Simon, go on!... Oh, well defended..."

Back with the Royals, a smartly taken goal by Thomas Elliott puts the home team 3-0 up, and a tap-in from Frankie Wood secures a 4-0 win that keeps them in contention for their divisional title. For once, they have not needed a goal from their top scorer, Matthew Ball.

Next up, Skys – Pegasus Under-10s second side – face a Lemsford team at the top of their Black Division. Beaten 6-3 and 7-2 in their previous matches, Skys are playing their last home game before dispersing to the 11-a-side under-11 age group.

Goals from Matthew Saxby give them an unexpected 2-0 half-time lead, but Lemsford hit post and bar and pull a goal back five minutes from time. As another late Pegasus clearance finds its way deep into the brambles, the strain is clearly telling on the Lemsford coach. "Ref! Adding time on?... Just checking."

Skys hang on, amply helped by the diminutive defender Jack Matthews, his knees barely visible between long shorts and gartered socks. "That was your best game of the season," says the Skys coach, David Thorn. It is a good way to end.