‘Dead rubber’ drawn

AN MBBO League reorganisation means there is no longer a promotion play-off spot available – rendering Eastcote men’s second versus third clash against Oxford a dead rubber.

However, the game was still hard fought and, despite some good play, Eastcote were undone by two lapses in concentration at the back and an inability to finish in attack.

However, they did grab a 2-2 draw thanks to a first Eastcote goal from Kevin Haigh and a late equaliser from Alex Stobbart.

The seconds beat Slough 4-1 to go top of their league thanks to goals from Gabriel Emery, Dan O’Sullivan, Kern Sorzano and Ben Thorpe, while the thirds got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win against Oxford, with Lewis Watson and Scott Reed on the scoresheet.

The fourths’ game fell victim of motorway chaos on the M1 and M40, while the fifths came from 2-0 down to beat Marlow 5-2, thanks to a brace from Ashwin Von Gurm and further goals from Joe Snell, Tim Fitzgerald and Mike Pell.

Graham Jackson struck the only goal of the game as the sixths beat British Airways, while the Eagles lost 4-1 to Phoenix & Ranelagh, with an Andy Child goal the consolation.

On Sunday, the over-60s lost their EH Plate quarter final 3-2 to Gloucestershire, despite Lloyd Eood and Pali Sidhu goals.

In the ladies section, the firsts lost 3-2 at home to London Wayfarers, despite taking a first minute lead when Sofie Castle finishing a sweeping move up the right hand side of the pitch.

But the visitors were in front by the break and although Eastcote equalised midway through the second half from a powerful corner strike from Claire Devereaux, Wayfarers struck the winner just three minutes later to leave Eastcote bottom of the league with five games remaining.

Elsewhere, the seconds lost 2-1 to Winchmore Hill & Enfield, despite a Nicola Crossley strike, while skipper Laura Shepherd earned the fourths a 1-1 draw with Staines.