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Welcome to a round-up of Boston and District football
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March Reports 2005-2006 |
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Report for matches played on Saturday March 25 Barclays Brokers Willoughby Shield The semi-final tie between Billinghay Athletic Reserves
and Coningsby Reserves will probably go down as one of the competition’s all-time
great matches. The match official, Tony Sharrock and club members from both
camps declared that the 5-5 draw was an excellent advert for the Shield and
local football in general. It was just a great pity that there had to be an
eventual loser as both sides were forced to take part in the dreaded penalty
shoot-out. Coningsby proved more accurate from 12 yards by winning
4-3. Billinghay from Division Three gave their Second Division opponents a
real run for their money with goals from Steve Wilcox (2), Dave Logan, Alan
Bayliss and Jason Blythe. The scores stood at 4-4 after 90 minutes and both
sides scored again in extra time to
make the final score 5-5 Danny
Cottingham was Coningsby’s goal-scoring hero hitting all five of his side's
goals. In the other outstanding quarter-final tie Swineshead
Reserves comprehensively defeated Old Doningtonians Reserves 5-1. Pete Lunn
hit the lone Dons’ strike. Cropley’s Suzuki Premier Division Table-topping Billinghay Athletic left it perilously late before snatching a win away to North Sea United to remain on course for a second successive title. The prison side competed well against the league leaders as their recent upsurge in form continued. The bottom-placed side appeared to be heading for another valuable point in their bid to get off away from the foot of the table but Billinghay forced the ball in following an injury time corner. The Camp appealed in vain that their keeper had been unfairly challenged by Wayne Biggadyke as the ball fell into the back of the net with Richard Meldrum being credited with the goal to ensure Athletic enjoyed their journey back home. Paul Watts hit two goals for Skegness Town in their 3-1
home win against Wyberton. Josh Whittam was also on target for the east coast
side. Ty Fravigar replied for Wyberton before the midfielder blotted his
copybook when he was sent off. The
visitors also received two further yellow cards after Lathan Millar and Steve
Melady were both cautioned. It wasn’t just the win that pleased Boston Town Colts’
manager Tony Lyon when his side returned home from Coningsby with the three
points after a 1-0 victory. It was the fact that the scoreline was achieved
with three 16-year-olds included in the line-up and all three contributed
greatly in a fine all-round performance but none more so than Liam Ogden who
was drafted into the side after a late withdrawal. The midfielder, who was
taking part in his first men’s football match, showed no signs of nerves as
he displayed an array of skills as well as a surprising physical approach
against some of his hardened opponents. Left back Kieran Stocks and central
midfielder Matt Howard both too enjoyed fine performances in a game that was
decided by a single Daniel Warren goal in the first half. The all-important
winning strike arrived when a corner found Warren at the far post. And
although his first header was beaten out the striker was on hand to knock
home the rebound. Kirton Town and Spilsby Town provided an exciting
encounter at Graves Park with the visitors clinching a hard earned victory
following a 4-2 scoreline. Kirton started well enough but still found
themselves trailing 2-0 at the break following goals from Chris Dunn and Liam
Papworth. Lee Burdass got Kirton back into the game in the second half when his
superb diving header gave the goalkeeper no chance. Spilsby regained their
two-goal advantage shortly afterwards when substitute Jordan Wood’s deflected
shot found its way past Dean Reynolds in the Kirton goal. But Neil
Featherstone pulled another goal back to set up a tense finale. The visitors
had the final say, however, when Graham Blades scored the clinching goal in a
4-2 success with just five minutes remaining. Cropley’s Suzuki Division One Spalding Town looked to be on the verge of causing an upset
against league leaders Sleaford Town when they raced into a 2-0 lead. Town
reduced the arrears just before the break before they finally got their act
together in the second half to run out 6-3 winners. John Hilton and Jason
Hickey both scored twice while Neil Richardson and James Malkin completed the
scoring. Spalding went close with efforts from Paul Ryan, who scored twice
and Ian Tomblin. Gedney Drove End remain hot on the heels of Sleaford Town
following a 2-0 home win against a spirited Spilsby Town Reserves. Spilsby
keeper, Ady Hewerdine pulled off a series of fines saves while Glenn Hislop
and Mark Ingram made vital goalline clearances. Gedney finally broke the
deadlock just before half-time when Danny Goddard opened the scoring with a
fierce drive. The second half followed a similar pattern with Gedney in
dominant fashion and they were rewarded with a second goal scored by Dave
Wilson, another well struck effort from distance. Referee, Nev Abrams
controlled the game well. Fosdyke would have settled for a 0-0 draw at the start
of play when they took to the field with just nine men in their home match.
After three players failed to show and an absence of a recognized goalkeeper
meant Fosdyke would have their backs to the wall. There was no respite for
the struggling home side following the toss-up when the Fosdyke skipper
elected to face a gale force wind. To their credit, Fosdyke, quite literally,
weathered the storm and their confidence returned when their numbers were
made up before the break. Fosdyke took control in the second half but,
somehow failed to find the net with both Dave Whalley and Andy Brown striking
the woodwork. Fishtoft almost snatched a dramatic win in stoppage time but Fosdyke's
stand-in keeper, Wayne Ash produced a fine finger-tip save. Final score was
0-0. Sutterton didn’t help themselves by scoring two own
goals in their home match against Holbeach Bank in a bottom of the table
clash. The Bank scored one of their own to finish up 3-0 winners and swapped
places with their opponents who now occupy the foot of the table. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Two Freiston’s Jekyll and Hyde season continued when they played another of the leading sides for the second week running. After the previous week’s 2-0 defeat at West End Tigers, Freiston travelled to Rosebery Avenue to take on Westside Rangers and the visitors promptly fell 2-0 behind in the opening 20 minutes following two wayward back passes. Freiston pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the game but they came unstuck again just before the break when — following one of their attacks which broke down — Rangers cleared upfield for a grateful striker to outpace the visiting defence and slot the ball home for a 3-0 interval lead. Kevin Manning with two and Neil Sinha grabbed the Rangers’ goals. Freiston started the second half on top and they were rewarded on the hour mark when Danny Brewster finished in style. Westside lost their shape in the second period and they conceded a second goal with 15 minutes remaining when Marcus Reeson started a move from the half-way line and the marauding central defender continued upfield to finish it off with a low shot to make the score 3-2. Freiston, full of confidence now, rocked their opponents once again shortly after wards when Lee Hoff headed home from a corner to level the scores and gain a precious point for the visitors. Finals score was 3-3. Park Road Old Boys came up against a very well organised
Mareham United side and had no arguments after their 3-1 home defeat. Park
Road trailed 1-0 at the halfway stage before Chris Lambe levelled the scores
after the break. Paul Colton and Lambe did have chances to add to the Old
Boys’ score but Mareham deservedly went ahead with a second goal. The
visitors made the game safe with a last minute clincher to make the final
score 3-1. Mareham’s goals came from Johnny Seymour who hit two and Thomas
Phillips. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Three Friskney gained a valuable three points in a thrilling
seven-goal encounter when they entertained Wrangle United Reserves. Friskney
stormed into a 3-0 lead 20 minutes with goals from Sam Hill, who scored twice
and Perrie Dale before Wrangle reduced the arrears before the break. Daniel
Redford converted from the penalty spot in the second half after Wrangle had
pulled another goal back to make the scores 4-2 before the visitors grabbed a third to ensure a nail-biting finale. Friskney held on
to take maximum points in a 4-3 scoreline. Wrangle’s goals came from Steve
Woodcock, Tim Bell and Steve Clements. West Pinchbeck gave a good account of themselves after
recent selection problems when they entertained East Region School of Sport.
The home side battled well before ending up empty-handed after a 5-3 defeat.
After trailing 2-0 at half time, West Pinchbeck pulled a goal back just after
the break when Colin Clarke scored. Leading scorer, Simon Webster then
levelled the scores at 2-2 before East Region edged back in front courtesy of
a Lee Church own goal. The visitors added two further goals before Liam
McCallister gave Pinchbeck a glimmer of hope but they couldn’t add to their
score-line although their performance will give themselves something to build
on for the final run-in. Park United Reserves scrambled in a late equaliser to
earn a share of the spoils when they played hosts to Holbeach United Social.
The visitors’ lengthy journey to Carrington appeared to be worth making as
they entered the closing stages of the game after they held a 1-0 lead thanks
to Joe Walmsley’s goal until Park launched a free-kick into their opponents’
box. There was some debate as to who the goal was credited to but Tim Lymer
appeared to get the final touch. Referee M Brown had a fine game in the
middle. |
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Report for matches played on Saturday March 18 Main Ridge Take Away Reserve Cup Kirton Town Reserves
3, Swineshead Institute Reserves 2 (after extra time, score at 90 minutes 2-2) Swineshead Reserves and Kirton Town Reserves did their best to warm up the fans who braved freezing conditions at Tattershall Road for the first major final of the Boston Saturday League. The underdogs from Division Three, Kirton Town started well in their bid to lift the cup. And Swineshead keeper Steve Stancer was forced into the first piece of action when he dived to his right to turn a low shot round the post after 10 minutes. Carl Louth then went close a minute later when his rising drive just cleared the crossbar and Richard Borrill's surging run was halted by a fine last-ditch tackle. The resultant corner saw Swineshead fall behind after 12
minutes when they left Jamie Cox unmarked and the midfielder planted his
header firmly past Stancer. Swineshead didn’t look dangerous until the 16th
minute when the speedy Jack Houghton burst through. But Kirton keeper Kevin
Parker was equally quick to snatch the ball off the striker's feet. The first
yellow card was branished by referee Tony Sharrock on the half hour mark when
Swineshead’s Mark Ledger was cautioned for a wild lung at Town’s Simon
Collins. Ryan Barker went close for Swineshead two minutes later
but his low shot was well saved by Parker. Swineshead were beginning to take
over and Barker again threatened when his header just missed the target and
Alex Kirkham shot too high after cutting in from the flank. Jack Houghton
should have levelled seven minutes before the break when, after doing all the
hard work in jinking past several defenders in the area, he dragged his shot
wide. Parker’s mis-directed goal-kick then fell at the feet of
Houghton but his run was halted by a superb last-ditch tackle from Michael
Collins. Swineshead were dealt a huge blow two minutes after the break when
Richard Marriott forced the ball home from six yards after a goalmouth
scramble. Swineshead’s Jonathan Prue received a caution early in
the second half for an off-the-ball incident before a quick free-kick sent
Ashley Brighton clear but the midfielder lifted his shot over the bar.
Swineshead reduced the arrears, deservedly so, after 57 minutes when Jack
Houghton pounced to drill the ball home after Parker had parried out a shot
to the lurking striker. Swineshead continued to push forward but Kirton’s
defence was playing well and Ashley Brighton’s frustration was evident when
he received a yellow card for dissent. At the other end Martin Durrant
cleverly created some space for himself but Stancer turned his shot for a
corner. Kirton created a series of corners as they finally rediscovered their
early promise before Swineshead responded with a late equaliser with just
four minutes to go when Houghton fastened onto a loose ball on the edge of
the box before shooting home. Nathan Lee-Farrah almost snatched victory for Swineshead
in the last minute, but he somehow lifted a close range effort over the bar
when a left wing corner evaded everyone. There was still time for both sides
to try and win it in the dying seconds but Durrant’s low shot went wide of
the right hand post while Houghton was denied by Parker’s low save to his
right. Kirton striker, Richard Borrill was lucky to escape with a yellow card
five minutes into extra time when his dreadful tackle on Ashley Brighton left
the Swineshead writhing in agony. There was a delay for several minutes before the
midfield player was carried off. Kirton hit what proved to be the winning
goal in the dying minutes of the first period of extra time when substitute,
Stuart Bartholomew wriggled his way into the box from out on the left before
curling home a superb shot in at the far post. Steve Stancer made a good save
from Durrant in the second minute of the second period before Swineshead’s
James Andrew screwed a shot over the angle. Nathan Lee-Farrah unfortunately
repeated his last-gasp miss when he blazed over the bar from close in after
Houghton had cut the ball back from the right. So KIrton retained the trophy after an entertaining
final although Swineshead received some reward when Jack Houghton was named
man of the match for his impressive attacking display. Park United’s “Mr Football” Fred Hunt presented the trophies
after the game. Barclays Brokers Willoughby Cup Wyberton and Spilsby Town produced a closely fought
encounter at the Causeway where extra time was needed to produce a winner.
The scores finished 2-2 after normal time although Wyberton will count
themselves unlucky not to have snatched a win. Spilsby rocked their opponents
with an extra time winner to go through to the next round. Spilsby’s goals
came from Liam Papworth who scored twice and Jordan Wood. Final score was
3-2. Kirton Town and Billinghay Athletic faced each other
for the second week running and Dale Atkinson’s side produced more of a
battling performance this time round. Kirton fell behind on the half hour
mark when a free-kick found its way through to defender Gary Cochrane who
headed home from six yards. Neil Featherstone brought Kirton level in the
second half before a disastrous defensive slip-up let in Billinghay when they
capitalised on a wayward back-pass. The visitors wrapped up victory with a
third goal 10 minutes from time in a 3-1 success. Cropley’s Suzuki Premier Division The day’s only game saw Coningsby and Skegness Town share
the points in a 1-1 draw. Matt Murray scored the Coningsby goal when his
cheeky back heel found the net. Cropley’s Suzuki Division One Fishtoft proved too hot to handle for Spalding Town during the first half. The home side tore their opponents apart in the first period scoring four times in the process. Declan Wilson opened the scoring for Fishtoft when he was on hand to stroke home a rebound following Kevin Woods’ fierce drive. Wizard Wilson went on to complete his hat-trick while Pete Coonan also got on the scoresheet. There were no further goals after the break as Fishtoft shut up shop and the scoreline remained 4-0. Sleaford Town marched on towards promotion with a 5-2
away win at Old Leake.The home side competed well and were rewarded with goals
from Rob Staples and Chris Lawson but they came up against formidable
opposition on the day. Referee Brian Smith had his usual steady game in the
middle. Tydd St Mary recorded a win at last following a
miserable run of form in recent times. Tydd made the lengthy journey to
Spilsby Town Reserves and they ensured a happy return trip home following a
3-1 victory. Spilsby admitted that defensive errors cost them the
match although they should have got on the scoresheet during the first half
when Ben Willerton somehow headed over from just two yards out. Tydd replied
with two goals to lead at the half-way stage and they added another in the
second half to put the game beyond the home side’s reach. Spilsby were
finally rewarded for their efforts when Michael Ridding found the net with a
delicate chip over the keeper following a fine pass from Matt Thomas. Jack Houghton carried on from where he left off on
Thursday night when his Reserve Cup final man-of-the-match performance
spurred him on to repeat his attacking skills when Swineshead Reserves played
hosts to Old Doningtonians. Hot-shot Houghton hit five of his side’s six
goals in a high-scoring encounter while fellow-striker Andy Thompson was also
on target for Swineshead in a 6-4 victory. Houghton had hit four goals before
the interval including a penalty after the keeper had brought down Andy
Thompson. The half-time score was 5-1. He soon made it a personal tally of
five after seventy minutes before Old Dons rallied with three goals in ten
minutes to bring some respectability to the scoreline. Old Dons’ goals came
from Chris Wing (2), Martin Fox and Bob Holstead. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Two Leaders West End Tigers remain on top of the table
following a 2-0 home win over Freiston at Rosebery Avenue. The Boston side were made to work hard for the victory as Freiston made life difficult for them. The Tigers opened the scoring after ten minutes when a Freiston defender headed into his own net. Both sides then had chances to add to the score but neither could find the net until a minute before the break when West End extended their lead. Nicky Syndercombe's free-kick was deflected past the stranded keeper to give the home side some breathing space. Defences were in command during the second period with the only cast-iron chance falling to the Tigers in the dying moments of the game but they were denied by a goal-line clearance from Freiston’s new signing Max Slater. Referee P Brooks had no difficulty in controlling a sporting game. Park Road Old Boys enjoyed a comfortable away win
against Park United at Carrington. The visitors held a 3-0 lead at the
interval thanks to goals from Josh Ansell and Daryn Gilbert who scored twice.
Park Road eased off the pace a little after the break allowing the home side
to score twice while Rick Limb and Chris Lambe made sure of victory with the
other two goals for the Old Boys. Final score was 5-2. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Three A solitary Glen Wells strike was enough to give Holbeach
United Social three three points in a 1-0 home win over Friskney. Joshua Crick hit a hat-trick for East Region School of
Sport in their 6-1 home win over Park United Reserves. Stephen Fulcher, Ian
Keal and Wayne Keal were also on target for the Boston-based side. West Pinchbeck were forced to pull out of their away
fixture at Billinghay Athletic Reserves due to a lack of players. Secretary
Simon Webster was disappointed in the late call-off but last-minute
withdrawals left him with just six players and, in the end, he had no option
but to postpone the game. Shodfriars were also left without a game following
Kirton Town Reserves’ declaration that their Graves Park ground was unfit due
to excessive surface water particularly at the far end of the ground. Woodhall Spa made the most of Shodfriars inactivity by
leap-frogging their rivals to go back to the top of the table. Woodhall
defeated Mareham United Reserves 3-0 away from home. |
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Report for matches played on Saturday March 11 Cropley’s Suzuki Premier Division North Sea United are finding some much-needed end of
season form with their second successive victory and are now within touching
distance of some of their fellow strugglers. Cold and snowy conditions
greeted the two sides but the Prison side’s powerful first half performance
soon warmed up proceedings. The home side, brimming with confidence, after
the previous week’s first win boost, passed the ball with ease and they soon
went ahead when a defence-splitting pass from Mark Williams was neatly tucked
away by Dan Gee from just inside the box. North Sea’s paceman, Brian Wheeldon
was causing all sorts of problems for Wrangle down the left flank and from
one of his pinpoint crosses player-coach Rob Masters powered home a header
for the second goal. The third followed shortly afterwards with Williams
hitting a sweet shot from the edge of the box which beat the keeper at the
near post. Another raid from Wheeldon just before the break resulted in his
excellent cross being volleyed home in style by Masters’ left foot. Wrangle
improved greatly after the break and three fine finishes from Richard
Fenwick, Nick Stone and Steve Clements rewarded them. The Camp had the final
say, however, with two further goals as first Devon Gaskin finished coolly under pressure and then Masters
fired home a right foot half volley to complete his hat-trick. The game was
well controlled by referee Alistair Wilson. Final score was 6-3. Pete Dickinson also hit a hat-trick for champions,
Billinghay Atheltic in their 4-1 home win over Kirton Town. All the goals
came during an action-packed first half where Kirton briefly threatened a
comeback when, after trailing 2-0, Neil Featherstone pulled a goal back and
then Stuart Barthowlomew struck a post as the visitors looked to get back
into the game. The home stepped up a gear, however, to finish the first
period on top as Michael Ward also got on the scoresheet for the league
leaders. Billinghay are beginning to look set for another title-winning
campaign with a cushion of having games in hand on the chasing pack. Spilsby Town striker, Jordan Wood followed up the
previous week's hat-trick by going one better against Coningsby when his side
entertained Skegness Town at their Ancaster Avenue ground. Wood crashed home
four of Town’s goals in a thumping 6-1 home win while Viv Jeffrey (penalty)
and Chris Dunn were also on target. Skegness Town had a reasonably strong line-up for their
visit to Swineshead following the postponement of their senior side’s game in
the Lincs League. It was Swineshead who started the brighter and they created
one or two good early chances and Skegness keeper, Lee Winson was forced into
making a smart save early on. At the other end, a goalkeeping error presented
Town with the opening goal when the unfortunate keeper’s clearance went
straight to the grateful Sean Chamberlain who slotted the ball home into the
empty net. The visitors’ lead was short-lived, however, when Karl Melton
headed in a Jack Houghton cross. Another mix-up in the Swineshead defence two
minutes after the break put Skegness 2-1 up as Nathan Hancock pounced to
round the keeper before sliding the ball home. It was all Swineshead after
that and Melton had a golden opportunity to level the scores but he somehow
found the side netting when a goal looked certain. The clinching third goal
for the visitors came after 74 minutes when Paul Butler sprung the offside
trap but as Swineshead stood appealing and the linesman waved his flag the
referee deemed a stray forward as not interfering and the veteran striker coolly
rounded the keeper before stroking the ball home. Final score was 3-1 Cropley’s Suzuki Division One Holbeach Bank postponed their home game with Fishtoft
because of a waterlogged playing surface. Chris Wing was really flying last weekend as Old Doningtonians
secured the three points in a high scoring home victory. The in-form striker
hit four goals for Old Dons although lowly Sutterton gave a good account of
themselves as they refused to concede defeat, continually hitting back in a
5-3 score-line. Bob Holstead was also on target for the Dons. Danny Goddard and Steve Barnes both hit double-strikes
for Gedney Drove End in their switched fixture against Tydd St Mary. The
pitch at Tydd St Mary was declared waterlogged on the Friday so both clubs agreed
to switch the fixture to Gedney in an attempt to get the game played.
Unfortunately for Tydd they suffered another defeat as their slide down the
table continued. Joe McKeown grabbed the other Gedney goal in a 5-0 victory
and the scoreline could have been heavier had the midfielder not also missed
a penalty. Old Leake and Fosdyke shared the points in a 2-2 draw at
the Community Centre. Rob Staples had opened the scoring for Old Leake as the
home side dominated the early stages but Fosdyke struck back to level through
Andy Brown after the ace goalscorer had cut inside before firing home.
Unfortunately for the visitors, injuries at the half-way stage left them with
just nine fit players. The depleted ranks of Fosdyke were reshuffled which
meant a more defensive line-up in order to salvage some reward but Brown’s
opportunism put his side 2-1 in front after he dispossessed the full back.
The visitors should have gone on and won more convincingly as Dave Pell, Dave
Whalley and Brown squandered clear-cut chances. Fosdyke shot themselves in the foot as the game entered the
final minute when they suffered a late and sickening blow when Dean Allerton
popped up with a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point for the home side in
a 2-2 draw. There were also plenty of goals at Spalding Town where
Spilsby Town Reserves played their part in providing an entertaining
seven-goal thriller. Spalding were trailing 3-2 with just 15 minutes
remaining. But striker Paul Ryan grabbed two goals to complete his hat-trick
and send the visitors home empty-handed. Ryan had opened the scoring for
Spalding after 10 minutes and Wayne Wilding struck with his side’s second
goal on the stroke of half-time. Spilsby’s goals came from Scott Riches, with
a back-heel, following great work from Mark Lyon and a stunning brace from
Ben Willerton. Final score was 4-3 Cropley’s Suzuki Division Two West End Tigers got off to a disastrous start at
Wainfleet United when falling behind to a Matt Crowson goal after just 20
seconds following a couple of short back-passes which went astray. Steve
Favell got the Tigers back on level terms when he added another goal to his
season’s tally when he flashed home a fine left-footed drive. Veteran
midfielder, Spencer Kirk then lashed home the ball home to edge the visitors
in front before the break. The in-form Favell made it 3-1 in the second half
with his eighth goal in as many games before skipper Scott Palmer hit a
magnificent drive which the keeper could only parry over the line although
the predatory instincts of Martin Jolly made sure the ball was forced into
the net. Stacey Ruck completed the scoring with a fifth goal when he burst
through before coolly drilling the ball past the keeper. Final score was 5-1. Park United recorded a 3-1 home win against Freiston
thanks to goals from Steve Adcock who scored twice and Will Carter. Freiston
created plenty of openings but found the Park goalkeeper in superb form as he
denied his opponents with some fine saves. Freiston were trailing 3-0 just
after the hour mark but were finally rewarded with a goal 10 minutes from
time. Lee Hoff, who had missed three good chances, found the net to make the
final score 3-1. Marcin Minczynski and Danny Inglis scored the
all-important goals for Spalding Harriers in their 2-0 home win against
Holbeach St Marks. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Three East Region School of Sports’ home fixture against Old
Doningtonians Reserves was called off by the Borough Council who declared the
Rosebery Avenue piches unfit. Kirton Town Reserves continued with their promotion push
with a convincing 5-0 home win over Park United Reserves. Richard Marriott
and Simon Collins both scored twice for Town while a Richard Borrill penalty
completed the scoring. West Pinchbeck were forced to take the field against Holbeach United Social with just 10 men and they held out during the entire first half as the interval scoreline ended goalless. However, an injury to one of their players after the break proved to be too much of an handicap and, not surprisingly, they soon started conceding goals. The Holbeach side made their two-man advantage pay dividends and eight goals found their way into the West Pinchbeck net without reply. Final score was 8-0. |
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Report for matches played on Saturday March 4 Cropley’s Suzuki Premier Division Croft United were without a game as their away fixture at Coningsby bit the dust following a morning inspection of the pitch that revealed some frozen areas that were deemed dangerous. Out of the four remaining games in the top flight, there was a milestone for North Sea United when they were victorious against Boston Town Colts. A 3-2 win gave the Camp their first win of the season thanks to goals from Devan Baskin, Lee Pickett and Rob Masters. Boston Town’s goals came from Sam Sleight and Daniel Warren. Spilsby Town hit five goals in their home match against Swineshead where striker Jordan Wood was back to his best, hitting a fine hat-trick. Reece Armstrong and Liam Papworth were also on target for Town in a 5-2 victory. There was another 5-2 scoreline in the other remaining top flight fixture as Wyberton returned home from their short trip to neighbours Kirton Town with all three points. The visitors’ match-winning strikes came from Dean Seiner (2), Steve Melady, Joe Taylor and an own goal.Town replied through Nikki Himsworth and Jamie Cox. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Two Old Doningtonians’ home match against Gedney Drove End was postponed after a pitch inspection during the morning. So that meant there were only two games left in the division. Fishtoft inflicted another defeat on Tydd St Mary albeit by the narrow margin of 1-0. Declan Wilson hit the all-important goal midway through the second half. Tydd have now lost their last six league games to leave their previously high aspirations in tatters. A Steve Morley hat-trick helped Sleaford Town to another three points when they entertained Fosdyke. Jamie Dores and Daniel Arscott were also on target in a 5-0 victory. Sleaford remain top of the table and look firm favourites for promotion although Fosdyke can take some pride from the game after travelling to take on the league leaders with just 10 players following three late withdrawals on the morning of the game. The spirited visitors produced a great first half display to restrict their opponents to a single goal lead at the break. And it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that Sleaford made sure of the outcome with four late efforts as Fosdyke eventually tired finishing with just nine fit players on the park. Referee Tony Sharrock had an excellent game in the middle. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Two West End Tigers moved ever closer to the lead position in the table with a narrow 1-0 away win at Park United. It was a lack-lustre performance by the promotion-seeking Tigers who were thankful for the only goal of the game scored by Martin Jolly, a thumping header from a Nicky Syndercombe cross midway through the first half. Park had their chances to draw level but West End held out for the valuable three points. The nearest Park came to equalising followed a corner which Tigers’ skipper, Scott Palmer somehow headed off the line and over the crossbar. Referee Mark Robinson had a fine game in the middle. Despite a thunderous 25-yard free-kick from Black Bull’s Ian Morris the Kirton side went down to a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Mareham United.. The visitors’ leading goalscorer Mickey Johnson bagged another two goals for his season’s tally. By beating Holbeach St Marks 2-1, Freiston recorded their first home win of the season. St Marks started well enough and took advantage of some slack marking in the home defence to open the scoring after just five minutes. Freiston gradually recovered their composure and started to create some openings and they levelled the scores 20 minutes later when a mix-up in the Holbeach defence presented Jamie Button with the chance to equalise. Freiston almost went ahead before the break but a brave save from The St Marks keeper kept his side on level terms. Freiston grabbed the all-important winning goal ten minutes into the second half following a Jamie Button corner when Danny Brewster managed to flick the ball on for Aston Chase to net from close range. Final score was 2-1. Cropley’s Suzuki Division Three Woodhall Spa were held at home by a battling Friskney side where both goals came in the dying minutes. The plucky visitors rode their luck at times as Woodhall poured forward and the goal frame saved the visitors on several occasions. Friskney suffered a cruel blow 20 minutes from time when, after using all their substitutes, Daniel Redford was laid low as he cleared the ball from under his own crossbar and he suffered a painful blow to the lower rib cage and hip following a collision with an opposing forward. The central defender was carried off and taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Woodhall’s man advanatge eventually paid off when they found a way through four minutes from time when Paul Picker netted what looked to be the winning goal. Party-poopers, Friskney had other ideas, however, and Sam Hill popped up with an equalizer a minute later when his looping header found the net. Final score was 1-1. Mareham United Reserves and West Pinchbeck shared the points in 3-3 draw. Simon Webster had got West Pinchbeck off to a great start with the opening goal, the first of his two-goal haul but Mareham hit back to get back on level terms. In the second half, with the scores standing at 2-2, West Pinchbeck’s substitute Mark Mitchell grabbed what looked like being the winning goal but Mareham responded with a late goal as the visitors went to sleep. Richard Hall, Daniel Keuneke and Alex Walter hit the Mareham goals. Barclays Brokers Willoughby Shield The tie between Old Doningtonians Reserves and Swineshead Reserves didn’t survive the big freeze. So that left only two games in the Shield. Alan Bayliss was Billinghay Athletic's cup hero hitting all three of his side’s goals in a 3-1 home win over Park United Reserves. Two Ben Robinson goals helped Coningsby Reserves to a 3-2 away win at Wrangle United Reserves. All the goals came during an action-packed first half. Steve Brown grabbing the other Coningsby goal. |