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Cropley’s Suzuki Boston Saturday League

April Reports 2005-2006

Report for match played on Tuesday May 9

James Eley Sports Cup final

Billinghay Athletic 1, Croft United 4

The top two finishers in the Boston Saturday League’s Premier Division campaign clashed at Tattershall Road in a showpiece conclusion to the season. And both sides provided a fitting conclusion to an excellent season with a fast and furious James Eley Sports Cup encounter at the home of Boston Town FC.

Croft United eventually lifted the trophy at the end of a final in which Billinghay were forced to play out the entire second half with just 10 players after full-back Paul Munks was sent off for retaliation just before the break.

Both sides took time to settle and there was little goalmouth action during the opening 15 minutes although Croft’s Kurt Crossley was proving to be a real handful for his opponents with his trickery down the right flank. United keeper Adam Johnson was the first custodian to be called upon after 20 minutes when he had to smother the ball at the feet of an advancing forward after Sam Miller had slid a pass through the middle.

Two minutes later Croft were ahead when they were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out. Gavin Bridge drove the dead ball at Steve Scott and although the keeper first parried the shot and then blocked the follow-up from Louis Mill, Lee Orrey was on hand to knock the loose ball home from six yards out. Orrey almost earned himself a penalty shortly afterwards when he went down under a challenge from Gary Cochrane. And although the defender didn’t appear to get a touch on the ball the referee waved play-on.

Tom Dickinson was carving out a few openings down the left flank at the other end and one dangerous cross on the half-hour mark was hacked away by Gavin Bridge. The Billinghay keeper was certainly the busier and he had to use some unorthodox techniques to prevent Louis Mill from skipping round him soon afterwards. As the marauding Mill threatened to fasten onto a through pass, Steve Scott advanced out of his area and caught the loose ball between his knees before clearing the danger. Scott was again called into action a minute later when he had to push away a Crossley shot around the right hand post.

Another Tom Dickinson cross caused problems in the Croft defence. And although the ball eluded everyone and drifted out to the right flank, it was quickly returned into the danger area and it needed a last-ditch tackle from Jack Hill to keep his side ahead. It was real ebb-and-flow stuff and after Adam Broom shot straight at Scott, Athletic responded with Matthew Tuck shooting narrowly past a post.

Billinghay were awarded a controversial penalty 10 minutes before the break when, following a left wing free-kick. Referee David Baines spotted an off-the-ball incident and he promptly pointed to the spot. Johnson guessed right to keep out Tom Dickinson’s spot-kick but Billinghay’s disappointment was short-lived. They were level within two minutes when a slick move through the middle provided Sam Miller with an opening and the midfielder coolly found the net for the equaliser.

Billinghay were dealt a major blow just before the break when another off-the-ball incident saw Paul Munks lash out at Adam Broom and the referee had no alternative but to send the defender packing. Croft lost Gavin Bridge though injury also and substitute Jason Barry slotted into right-back. The second half was just as open as the first period had been and Adam Broom sent a free-kick just over the bar before a header from a Tom Dickinson free-kick also just cleared the crossbar.

Croft regained the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Scott Hutchinson, who had been pushed into a more attacking role, shot home after receiving a superb through pass. Joe Harris put the result beyond Billinghay’s reach on 75 minutes when he finished in style after another slick move through the middle. Adam Weston missed a golden chance to get his side back into the game with 10 minutes remaining but he headed over when well placed.

Croft wrapped the game up with a fourth goal shortly afterwards when Steve Scott tried to dribble his way out of trouble and was robbed by the harassing Hutchinson and the jubilant Croft player advanced forward before rolling the ball home. Adam Johnson produced a superb reaction save from another Weston header and Matthew Tuck sent a long range volley just over the bar as Billinghay threw caution to the wind.

So Croft lifted the trophy and exacted revenge for a 5-1 league defeat three days earlier. James Eley’s representative, Andrew Harrison before the Sports Cup presentation to the winners sent the Croft camp into raptures, awarded the man of the match trophy Adam Broom. The gloss was taken off this fine match when the news filtered through after the game that Billinghay striker, Michael Ward — who limped off after a heavy challenge — had, in fact, suffered a broken leg and was taken to hospital where he was operated on the following morning.

Report for matches played on Saturday May 6

Cropley’s Suzuki Premier Division

Croft United secured runners-up spot with a 5-2 home win against Spilsby Town in a midweek game. Croft found themselves leading 5-0 at one stage before Town finally got some reward for their efforts. Lee Orrey and Gavin Bridge did most of the damage with two goals apiece while Scott Hutchinson also got on the scoresheet for Croft. Spilsby were minus the services of leading goalscorer Jordan Wood and they struggled to find a way through the Croft rearguard. The visitors finally found the net with two late goals to make the final score 5-2.

Croft’s final league game of the season saw them make the journey to newly crowned champions, Billinghay Athletic. Croft declined the opportunity to receive the runners-up medals before the game as they only had three or four first-teamers on parade. The trophies will now be awarded at their end of season dinner. The two clubs, of course, met in the Boston League’s showpiece competition, the James Eley Sports Cup final last night (Tuesday) at Boston Town’s ground. Croft, clearly with one eye on the final, went down 5-1 with their strike coming from Greg Barker who was returning to action after suspension.

Spilsby Town striker Jordan Wood returned to the fold on Saturday when the club hosted their final league game of the season against Kirton Town. The little sharp-shooter did the trick with the only goal of the game after 25 minutes when shooting home from the corner of the six yard box. Kirton almost called the game off on Friday night due to a chronic lack of available players. Manager Dale Atkinson pulled out all the stops to raise enough players to make the journey including himself and reserve team manager Paul Fossitt as the two substitutes. Goalkeeper Dean Reynolds also displayed his striking talents in attack while Nikki Himsworth was given the keeper’s jersey. Final score was 1-0.

Skegness Town made the short journey down the A52 to do battle with Wrangle United and a 2-1 victory sent the visitors back to the coast with all three points. Wrangle had taken a first half lead through Andy Donnelly who converted a rebound from his own initial shot before Skegness equalised six minutes into the second half when Damian Howland chipped a free-kick over the wall and Donovan Vickers reacted the quickest to fire the ball home. Town’s winning goal after 65 minutes was also as a result of another Howland free-kick. This time Nathan Hancock got on the end of it to head the ball past the keeper. The visitors went close to adding a third when Paul Butler cut inside a defender but his shot struck the crossbar. Andy Gilbert in the Skegness goal then came to his side’s rescue in the 81st minute when he pulled off a superb save to keep his side in front. Final score was 2-1.

Cropley's Suzuki Division One

Gedney Drove End took a strong line-up to Old Doningtonians for a midweek match last week and they made sure of second place to champions Sleaford Town with a 3-1 victory. Old Dons, trailing 2-1 in the second half, had two or three chances to level the scores. But they failed to take them and Gedney wrapped up the points with a last-minute penalty when Graham Slater felled an opponent in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Holbeach Bank and Fishtoft served up a midweek goal feast with a 4-4 draw. Graeme Hunt, Nick Cott, Gary Walker and Mark Deans scored the goals to earn a valuable point for the Bank. Fishtoft then went down 2-1 at home to Old Doningtonians on the following Saturday. Both of the visitors’ goals came from Steve Burdall.

Promising youngster Harry Houghton was drafted into the Swineshead Reserves line-up for his side’s final game at home to Tydd St Mary. “Junior” Houghton did most of the damage with two of the goals in a 4-0 victory. Jack Houghton and Alex Kirkham were also on target for the home side.

The clash between the top two sides failed to materialise when Gedney Drove End were unable to make the journey to Sleaford Town due to a shortage of players. The May 10 Saturday League meeting will most probably decree that the three points are awarded to Sleaford.

Cropley’s Suzuki Division Three

Old Doningtonians Reserves and Billinghay Athletic Reserves served up plenty of goals for their final game. Liam Pitts (2), Pete Lunn, Martin Fox and an own goal earned Old Dons maximum points while the visitors replied three times to make the final score 5-3.

Barclays Brokers Willoughby Shield final

Kirton Town Reserves added the Willoughby Shield to their Reserve Cup triumph of two weeks earlier, which they won some weeks ago, when they defeated Coningsby Reserves at Boston Town’s ground. Coningsby probably edged the first half of the Barclays Brokers-sponsored competition final that finished goalless. But in Kevin Parker they came up against an inspired display from the Kirton goalkeeper — one save from the man of the match during the first period being top drawer material. Kirton looked more capable after the break and they opened the scoring after 55 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Simon Collins. The referee duly pointed to the spot and striker Richard Borrill stepped up to fire home from 12 yards. Town wrapped up the scoring with a second clinching goal with 10 minutes remaining and it was the powerful Borrill who scored it.

Martin Durrant provided the opportunity with a fine cross and the Kirton striker gleefully headed home. Boston League vice-president Tony Appleby presented the trophies after the game.