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For all the latest news, reports, results and tables from the 2006-2007 season…

 

             Cropley’s Suzuki Boston Sunday League

            

 

SUNDAY LEAGUE week-by week reports 2006-2007

OCTOBER 2006

 

October 29 round-up

 

Workforce Unlimited Premier Division

 

The scoreline between the Magnet Tavern and Star Inn did not tell the full story as the Star battled gamely against the new league leaders. In the end they were undone by some excellent finishing – the main difference between the two teams – along with a valiant effort from striker Dan Fox who donned the gloves for the Star. Nick Reeson scored two cracking 25-yard goals in the first half and John Reeson added a third to give the home side a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. In the second half, Magnet took control and some good work from substitute Nick Maddison found Jimmy Britton who scored a fine goal. Leon Kita had a shot well saved. But shortly afterwards Mark Wakefield fired home following a long run from Leroy Medina.  Maddison also got his name on the scoresheet with another 25-yard strike, giving the keeper no chance. The Tavern players praised their opponents who never gave up.

 

Park Avenue registered their second win of the season with a solid performance against the Mill. Matthew Bates finished off some good approach work by powering past one defender and then sidestepped another before slotting the ball home after just 10 minutes. Play was ebb-and-flow with both teams creating chances. But the home side squandered theirs. Bates, Danny Keal and Richard Baker went close for Park and keeper Mark Ringrose twice denied Andy Brown. Fifteen minutes before the break saw another good move down the right and David Slaughter delivered a pinpoint cross for Keal to head home to make it 2-0. After the break the Mill started off the more determined and after five minutes they pulled one back through Danny Maddison who finished with a sweet left foot drive after Park’s keeper and a defender had left each other to deal with the ball. Left-back Troy Thomas restored Park’s two goal lead with a low shot from 25 yards out which flew into the far corner, but they saw this lead cut back again when Andy Brown converted a penalty after some trickery from Danny Clayton saw him felled in the box.

 

Workforce Unlimited Division One

 

Another ‘nearly’ game for Britannia resulted in another 4-3 defeat. An early penalty, converted by Matt Newell put the Swan in the lead. The Brit then missed ample chances, hitting the bar three times and forcing the keeper into some fine saves – Michael Burt, Ian Morris and Mark Haines all going close. It took a goalmouth scramble for the Brit to equalise with Burt getting a typical poacher’s goal and the first half ended all-square. The second half proved to be just as eventful. The Swan took a two-goal cushion when Richie Newell scored following a one-on-one with Chris Moore in the Brit goal and a Dan Boon strike. The Brit hauled themselves back into the game through Ian Morris, who broke through the offside trap to finish in good fashion. After a poor clearance from the Brit, Richie Newell grabbed his second after another scramble in front of goal. But then Morris pulled another goal back for the home side. He hit a shot from distance. And with the keeper beaten, the ball cannoned off the crossbar and ricocheted back off the keeper into the net. The Swans gracefully hung on to their lead and the Brit were left feeling for the second week running that it was just not their day!

 

Best wishes for cup progress

 

This weekend (November 5) sees Boston Sunday League sides re-enter the fray in the Lincs Sunday Cup. As such the League extends their best wishes for success in the competition to Boston College, The Mill Inn and The Newcastle, as our remaining three local teams get ready to do battle against some stern opponents.

 

October 22 round-up

 

Sharman Burgess Sunday Cup

 

A thrilling cup game was played out at Sutterton between Park Avenue and Britannia Rangers. However, after 30 minutes the game looked to be all over as Park had taken a three-goal advantage, leaving the Brit with an uphill struggle. Danny Keal completed a quick brace and David Slaughter grabbed the third. With nothing to lose, the Brit started playing some good attacking football and began to find their feet. New signing Ian Morris got Rangers going with a stunning 30-yard strike, slamming the ball into the top corner.  The half ended with Rangers in fine form with Kev Manning and Morris both going close to getting the visitors back into the game proper.  The second half proved to be even more thrilling with both sides having shots cleared off the line before Morris supplied a good cross for Manning to coolly slot home setting up a frantic finale to the game. Another goalline clearance and some fine keeping by Mark Ringrose in goal then denied Rangers who threw everyone up for a corner, including their keeper who managed to get a shot in at his counterpart. But he saved well and a quick counter attack saw Park take a two-goal advantage again as Matthew Bates made no mistake with an empty net yawning in front of him. Although their hopes were dashed, the Brit kept pushing forward and Ian Morris had the final say, proving his first was not a fluke he repeated his 30-yard shot setting up a desperate last five minutes. But it was not to be on the day as the Premier Division side held firm to move into the second round of the cup. It was, though, an excellent advert for Sunday football!

 

Dixie Deane Memorial Cup

 

An all-round good performance put the Magnet Tavern back to winning ways to take a three-point lead at the top of the table in the competition. Leroy Medina, with a great drive was the only player to score in the first period against Boston College. The second half was much the same with both teams looking for goals. On the 65th minute College were awarded a penalty – Stacy Cartwright making no mistake from the spot to level the score. The visitors upped the pace and Jamie Ireland, in his first game for the club this season, had an outstanding game laying on some superlative passes to Gav Marshall and Paul Alexander who were causing the College defence numerous problems. New signing Jimmy Britton scored his first goal for the club with a well-taken penalty kick after a Ashley Murrell foul in the box. A good cross from Marshall found Britton who claimed his second, and with only five minutes remaining Medina completed a brace to complete the scoring.

 

In windy conditions at Fosdyke, the Ship had the advantage of the wind behind them in the first half but failed to capitalise. Frazier Hallam in the Mill goal was in fine form as the Ship spurned their chances with some poor finishing. New signing Darren Elding gave the Mill the lead early in the first period with the only goal in the half but lapses in defence could have seen the Ship take a 2-1 lead – if they had kept their cool in front of goal.  Torres was guilty of missing an open goal when his shot went wide of goal and a second attempt by another striker was sent soaring over the bar when it was easier to score! In the second half the Mill scored almost from the re-start through Andy Brown and created chances on a regular basis. Brown completed a hat-trick and Elding added to his tally with a great finish. Rob Marsden kept up his scoring run and Luke Brittain ended the rout with a fortunate cross-cum-shot. It resulted in a 7-0 the final score in a good sporting game well controlled by David Scoot.

 

Workforce Unlimited Division One

 

The Axe and Cleaver dominated their league encounter with new boys Harchester, blitzing the visitors’ defence with a number of strikes but failing to get any reward for their efforts. Harchester rarely made it out of their own half, although the ‘evergreen’ Dean Stevens did make a foray. But Cook in the Axe goal collected the ball comfortably. The Harchester defence continued to work hard as the second half started and managed to absorb some sustained pressure until finally they cracked mid-way through the second period. A disputed free-kick was awarded to the home team and Kev Orton floated a cross into the area where Steve Favell placed his header into the corner to give Chapman no chance. The visitors seemed to use this as a spur and created some good chances, leading to Cook pulling off a string of fine saves. Finally they were rewarded as they drew level following a brilliant run down the flank from Micky Goddard. His shot rebounded off a post but Chris Massingham was on hand to put the ball over the line. The Axe re-took the lead through substitute Joe Hallam who converted from the spot after Stuart Bartholomew had been felled in the box. Hallam quickly complete a brace, picking up a short free kick to unleash an unstoppable 20-yard strike into the top corner.  A good sporting game was well handled by Ross Muirhead.

 

With no referee allocated, Derek Hodgson gamely took the whistle for the Eagle Harvesters v Black Swan clash. And with the wind behind them, it was Harvesters who dominated the early exchanges with the Black Swan, missing a series of chances. But they managed to take the lead when Duncan Browne broke the deadlock.  The lead was short-lived, though, as a ball over the top caught the Eagle defence out and Lee Croft notched his first of four on the day.  The Eagle deservedly restored their earlier lead when Jamie Lawson scored direct from a corner with the help of the Swan keeper! But yet again the Swans equalised soon after, Croft making no mistake in front of goal. Then the turning point of the game came – as Gary Ling received the ball on the right, the Swan were claiming offside but no flag was raised and Ling crossed the ball for Siggee to coolly finish only for the flag to then be raised! After discussion between the referee and his assistant, the goal was disallowed. With the Eagle in disbelief the Swans raced up to the other end of the pitch and Croft easily completed his hat-trick to give the home side a 3-2 lead at the break. After the re-start the home side started as they had finished the half with Croft the scorer yet again and Dan Boon adding a fifth. Jamie Lawson pulled one back from the penalty spot after Siggee was upended. But Black Swan made it six through Graham McMahon. Martin Good drew Harvesters closer with a good close range shot to complete the scoring. The Eagle had numerous chances throughout the game but were let down by poor finishing and poor defending once again.

 

 

October 15 round-up

 

The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup

 

Magnet should really have won their first round match away to Barcabullona of Leciestershire. The Boston team went 1-0 down on 39 minutes. Despite having most of the play in the first half they were unable to get the ball into the back of the net. In the second half they came out looking for the equaliser, taking good control of the game. It looked like they would get the reward for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 80th minute. Mark Thompson stepped up, but a great save by the keeper ensured the score stayed at 1-0 to the home side. Finally, though, in the 88th minute the Tavern’s man of the match, Kahmell Spencer, headed home to level the scores. With no further score in normal time, an extra 90 minutes was played. After only five minutes of the added period, though, the Magnet saw a goal disallowed – the referee overruling his assistant on the line. The Magnet always looked dangerous on corners, winning 17 to their hosts’ two. But they were caught twice on the break in the extra period going down 3-1 at the end.

 

Workforce Unlimited Premier Division

 

The Castle came back down to earth with a bump after their recent good spell when they lost 5-2 to the Mill.  Castle scored first early in the opening half. A defensive mix-up left Mark Lovelace with an easy tap-in.  The Castle should have increased their tally as they controlled the first period but they hit the bar twice, saw some poor finishing and then opposing keeper Frazer Hallam pulled off some fine saves to keep the score down to 1-0 at the interval.  Darren Elding had the best chance to equalise, but failed to capitalise.  After the re-start the Mill left the Castle standing by hitting them four times in the opening 10 minutes. Danny Clayton drew them level.  The club’s top scorer Andy Brown then turned provider twice by setting up Rob Marsden who rounded the keeper for his first and then hitting a delightful chip from 35 yards for his second.  Luke Brittain tapped in the Mill’s fourth from just two yards out following a corner kick.  With 20 minutes to go Lovelace pulled a goal back and the Castle then had a good penalty appeal turned down. The Mill kept foraging — Andy Brown saw one effort saved on the line. Marsden completed his hat-trick after some great dribbling down the right wing and they could have added more with Hislop and Brittain scorning chances. The home side were left reflecting on missed chances in the first half. But the Mill fully deserved the win, not least simply because they converted their chances.

 

The Star registered their first win in what started out as an entertaining game.  By half time they were 3-1 to the good with Rob Masters hitting a brace and Nathan Taylor also adding one, all this with just 10 men after Gareth Follows was dismissed.  Alexandre Silva hit one in reply for the visitors. In the second half the Ship pulled two goals back to level the game — Rodrigo Capellini and Messia Borghi hitting home.  A red mist then descended and referee Nick Sleaford saw a melee of players surrounding him and Artis Balodis got his marching orders after running a full 30 to40 yards to get involved in a game of shoving rather than football! The referee did well to bring the situation under control and the game continued.  Craig Owen restored the lead for the Star on his debut, with a great step-over and chip over the keeper. Darren Pugh completed the scoring. With everyone expecting a cross, he drove the ball high into the net for a 5-3 final score.

 

Workforce Unlimited Division One

 

Carpenters Arms took the lead early on in their game against Harvesters when Leon Pycock flicked in a Chris Marshall cross in. The former doubled the lead soon after. This time Pete Coonan laid on the chance.  Kev Lea in the home goal produced another fine display to keep the Carps at bay and Steve Siggee pulled a goal back from close range to finish the half at 2-1.  The Carps started the second half the brighter and top scorer Dex Wilson soon made it 3-1 after some superb passing through the team. The pacy Pycock was running the Eagle ragged and he soon completed his hat-trick. Substitute Joe Talbot then made it five — a cross-shot drifting in at the far post. Centre half Bob Warby made it six with a rare goal, heading in a Scott Wiseman corner. Just as the Carps thought they were having it all their own way the Eagle made some tactical changes, Siggee moving from centre half to centre forward. And he soon completed his hat-trick, restoring some pride for the visitors.  The Eagle felt they could have done better if they had made the most of their chances but proclaimed the Carps as worthy winners.  The game being played in a good spirit and well marshalled by ‘The Scoot’.

 

Britannia got off to a great start storming into a two-goal lead against Railway Hotel. Good work from the Brit’s Chris Smith allowed new signing Ian Morris a close range tap-in. Smith turned from provider to scorer with a well-taken goal for their second strike — Karl Melton sending a delightful ball down the wing which allowed Smith to beat his man and fire the ball into the far corner. The second half was witness to an impressive game of football as the Railway came out with guns a blazing, battling back to take a 3-2 lead — Ashley Horry, James Cross and Danny Brewster all firing home as the Brit crumbled. But the visitors, with the final kick of the game, had the last word.  The excellent Karl Melton set up a superb ball for Lee Vasey to drive home an unstoppable strike from 20 yards out.  All in all a draw was a fair result.

 

October 8 round-up

 

Lincs Sunday Cup

 

It wasn’t a good start for the Magnet in the Lincs Sunday Cup away to Brentwood Estates. With only 10 minutes on the clock they found themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline with defensive errors mainly to blame for their poor play. They did, however, manage to equalise in the 15th minute, Mark Thompson firing home from the penalty spot.  Magnet went 2-1 up just seven minutes later. A good cross from John Reeson found Leroy Medina who saw his shot deflect in off a Brentwood defender. Once again, poor mistakes from the Boston team cost them dearly, allowing the hosts to level before the break and then take the lead for the second time immediately after the re-start. Tavern sought an equaliser but they were caught on the break, Brentwood increasing the lead with a fine goal. Then moments later, the home side made it 5-2. With 10 minutes remaining, the visitors staged a fightback, but had left themselves a mountain to climb. Reeson pegged it back to 5-3 and Stu Smith ensured a dramatic end to the game scoring the Magnets fourth – but their last-gasp effort was too late as time ran out and the final whistle blew.

 

The Axe and Cleaver visited Cherry Willingham to face the daunting prospect of playing last year’s semi-finalists and it was the Boston side who took the game to their hosts. But despite their constant pressure to find the opening goal, Stuart Bartholomew and Dan Beecham were both guilty of missing good chances midway through the half. It took until the 25th minute for them to find the back of the net – a corner kick was flicked on, eventually finding the Axe’s man of the match Rikky Toyer who rose above the home defence with a bullet of a header giving the goalkeeper no chance. The pedigree of the home side soon began to tell and within 10 minutes they were 2-1 to the good with some swift inter-passing. The Axe rallied slightly and were creating chances only to see the Cherries increase their lead after a superb counter attack to fire beyond the stretching arms of Peter Cook. Half time score was 3-1. After a tough team talk, the Axe committed themselves fully to get back into the game but the their hearts were broken as they gifted another goal to the home side. Nicky Syndercombe briefly lifted their spirits with an inspired run and cross for Steve Favell to close the scoreline to 4-2. But the Cherries made it safe by adding a fifth to put the tie beyond doubt.

 

Boston College travelled to Stallingborough to play Evolution Media Design and fully deserved to progress to the next round with a 4-2 victory. Man of the match was Jamie Skinner, who has quickly settled into his new side, scoring a superb first half hat-trick. The hosts did pull a goal back shortly before the break but the Boston side were not going to slip up. Dean Seiner added their fourth goal soon after the re-start and it took a penalty to gift them a second goal just before full time. College have played better, but they held firm and ground out another good result.

 

Garfits Lane hosted a belter of a game between the Mill and their Scunthorpe visitors, Burton Athletic. In a tight, tough and physical first half the Mill’s Rob Marsden opened the scoring on the half-hour mark. Mark Ingram made it 2-0 soon after but within five minutes Burton had pulled one back. As the game opened up, it was ebb-and-flow stuff but a good five minutes just before half time saw Andy Brown net two goals, one of which was a delightful free-kick. The Mill were 4-1 up at the break and looking good. Immediately after the re-start Burton pulled another goal back with a stunning strike beating the stretching Frazer Hallam. At 4-2, the game could have been anybody’s with the football flowing and both teams creating chances. It was the home side who came out on top with the visitors finally folding under the pressure — Brown completing his hat-trick. Luke Brittain hit one while Marsden, and Glenn Hislop both completed doubles. A good all round team performances deservedly put the Mill Inn through to the third round.

 

In the Newcastle versus Bar Racuda clash, the home side took time to settle with Mark Lovelace and Lee Dakin both guilty of missing good chances to score before the former put the home side in the lead after 15 minutes. Dakin then made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later. The home side were now well on top and were playing some good football to go 3-0 up with five minutes of the first half left – Dakin scoring his second of the game. After the break the Castle continued to take the game to the visitors, Lovelace, Jordan Dixon and Jamie Khun having great chances to increase the lead. But it was Dakin who made it 4-0 to complete his hat-trick. A great run by Dion Roberts nearly made it 5-0 but his shot hit a post. Lovelace hit the Castle’s fifth with a close range effort and the impressive Jamie Khun made it 6-0 to propel the Boston side through to the next round.

 

The Star Inn hosted Red Star Smarts News. The first half was a tight affair with the Boston team managing to field 11 men from the start this week, and only one goal was in it at the half-time whistle – unfortunately it was not in favour of the home side! After the break Red Star stepped up a gear and the Star were left rueing missed chances as the visitors went on to score four more. The Star managed to grab a consolation goal through Steffan Cook but it was a case of too little too late.

 

Workforce Unmlited Division One

 

Railway started much the brighter and took an early lead against Carpenters. But the Carps soon equalised with the pacy Leon Pycock latching on to a loose ball and firing in from a distance. Carps then took the lead before half-time – Alex Wilson rolling the ball in after a cute turn. Early in the second half the home side increased their lead further, Scott Wiseman finding Wilson who claimed his second with a low range strike. Railway then reduced the arrears to 3-2 but Wilson immediately restored the two-goal advantage with his hat-trick goal. Chris Marshall finished the scoring for the Carps by volleying home after a neat set-up by Pete Coonan. It was a victory which took the Carps to the top of the table.

 

Harchester United enjoyed their first win with a 4-0 rout against Black Swan Coningsby. Matt ‘The Egg’ Taylor opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes with a good finish in the bottom left corner. And that’s how it stayed until half-time. A tight match was thrown wide open after the break when first of all Nic Stone finished at close range from a good corner. Then the game was put beyond doubt when a cross from the right was turned into the Swan’s own goal by one of their defenders. Antony Slater grabbed a deserved goal late on to make it 4-0.

 

October 1 round-up

 

Workforce Unlimited Premier Division

 

With the Star Inn struggling for players, there were doubts whether their game against Boston College would kick off at all. But one extra player arrived just before kick-off to enable the game to go ahead. However, seven against 11 was never going to be anything but a one-sided encounter. The visitors still produced a brave effort but it was all in vain as College ran out 13-1 winners. For the first 20 minutes it was a close affair, though, with Rob Masters striking home a penalty to pull back an early 2-0 lead. But with Star legs tiring, goals came at regular intervals from Dean Seiner (4), Jamie Skinner (3) on his first full game for the club. Dan Warren and Steve Kerslake bagged a brace each and Wayne Smith scored one on his debut.  Dan White turned from striker to goalie, donning the gloves for the final 20 minutes and pulled off three great saves.  The Star — with eight players in their team for the second half — creditably still attempted to play football despite being well out-numbered and managed to grab one consolation goal.  Full credit to them for managing to get the game played rather than throw in the towel.

 

It was a passionate game between the two Inns – Mill and Ship and it required some tough refereeing. But with David Baines holding the whistle, there was never going to be any real problems.  The Mill opened the scoring as early as the third minute with Nick Sylvester putting in a brilliant cross for Andy Brown to convert.  Gav Bell soon added a second from another cross and Andy Brown made it 3-0 before half-time with a powerful drive from a Danny Clayton lay-off.  The Ship seemingly had no answer to the foraging Mill forwards.  At the break the Ship made a couple of changes and certainly raised their game. They soon replied by scoring from a goalmouth scramble following a corner when substitute Ricardo Pereira hit the back of the net.  The Ship piled on the pressure but it was their final movements in front of goal that let them down, coming close on two or three occasions.  The ever-improving Sam Leafe in the Ship goal also pulled off a couple of saves to deny the Mill.  The home side almost increased their lead on the break only to be denied by the goal frame, but just 10 minutes later Brown completed his hat-trick when he rounded the keeper after a defence splitting cross from Michael Swain.  Four games on and the Ship are definitely a team in transition – Pereira and Torres both having an excellent game.  Referee Baines made it to the end – just – limping at the end from a pulled calf muscle!

 

The Castle got their Premier Division campaign under way with a fine 5-1 victory over Park Avenue.  The visitors played their part in a good contest and could have had three or four themselves in the first half – only being denied by some inspired keeping from Chris Dowse and poor finishing.  As it was, they found themselves 3-0 down at the break.  Mark Lovelace, Lee Dakin and a bullet of a goal from Jamie Kuhn provided the difference.  A Jordan Dixon cracker and a second from Lovelace put the tie beyond the reach of the Sutterton team.  They did pull one goal back with 65 minutes on the clock but were unable to peg back the score further. Andy Frankowski was excellent in the middle.

 

Workforce Unlimited Division One

 

The Axe and Cleaver’s second league game was a marked improvement on their opening game and they secured a 3-1 victory against Britannia Rangers. With the wind at their backs, the Axe forced the home keeper into some fine saves early on as he kept them on level terms.  It wasn’t until midway through the half that the Axe breached the home goal when the front pairing of Stuart Bartholomew and Nathan Padley inter-changed perfectly for Padley to rifle a shot in off a post. Chances kept coming for the Axe and Ollie Pinner soon doubled the lead with the ball curling neatly into the top corner of the net. The Brit continued to press forward but their final touches let them down and they rarely troubled Dowse. Steve Bursnell recorded his finest goal for the club with a superb turn on the edge of the box leaving his marker for dead before back-heeling a shot into the top corner – a superb goal to grace Division One.  The second half was dour in comparison with both sides missing chances.  Rangers grabbed a consolation goal from the spot with a coolly taken penalty after Padley had needlessly upended a rival striker in the box.

 

For the second week running Eagle Harvesters secured a hard fought win against evenly matched opposition. Harchester got off to the better start with the wind behind them. But it was the Eagle who scored first – from the penalty spot.  Alex Tilley was tugged back and Jamie Lawson struck the ball home with confidence. Harchester deservedly equalised shortly after. Former Harvester David Collingwood fired home after a Harchester free-kick deflected off the Eagle wall. Shortly before half-time the Eagle took the lead again. Dave Kelly flicked on a long throw-in by John Friend and Gary Ling made no mistake. The Eagle extended their lead further after the break with Jamie Lawson scooping the ball over the keeper from a flowing attack.  The Eagle searched for the fourth however Harchester got one back, some good play carving the visitors wide open, leaving Stuart Jackson with a neat finish and setting up a nail-biting end to the game. But the Eagle managed to hang on for their three points.  Mark Bruntlett controlled the game well in the middle.

 

Five on cup crusade

 

This weekend (Sunday October 8), five Boston Sunday League clubs tackle County Sunday Cup ties. League officials extend best wishes to all concerned in the hope of plenty of representation in the next round.