Spot kicks ‘Marrs’ hopes of all Topps final

THERE was a feisty encounter in the JMS Engineers Senior Cup Semi-Final, with the outcome of the game in doubt right to the end.

FC Topps were looking to make it an all Topps final with their Reserves already through but Enderby Social hadn’t read the script.

Topps started the stronger and went ahead early on. George Crossley tipped a Topps penalty kick over the bar and this stirred Enderby into action and Cam Atkinson converted a cross to level things. Topps looked to have secured their place in the final with 18 minutes to go. With Enderby struggling to make any real chances, they were awarded a penalty kick with the last kick of the game and Tom Marrs made no mistake firing high into the top corner. Both teams gave everything in extra-time and with six minutes to go it was Marrs again from the spot who won the game for Enderby to see them through to their first Senior Cup final.

The game between Three Horseshoes and Sporting Dynamo Reserves in the Hardy and Draper Division One which would have gone a long way to deciding the Runners Up spot was abandoned after the Three Horseshoes Keeper suffered a broken leg. With their County Cup Final this Thursday the League would like to wish him a speedy recovery and the team all the best in the final.

Market Bosworth were pegged back in a game of two halves in the Bond Street Trophies Premier Division.

Jake Wain put the hosts two up at the break against Cross Keys but Joe Broadbent brought Keys back into the game in the second half and Nathan Astill ensured the points were shared from a 2-2 draw. Tin Hat moved level on points with leaders Sporting Dynamo with a 3-1 win at Stoke Golding.

The PWS Leicester Division Two continues to provide excitement to the end of the season with Wykin again moving level at the top of the table with leaders Plough Inn courtesy of a 2-0 win at home to Anchor Inn. They were forced to utilise the whole of their squad though as a number of players were unavailable. LK United were also hit by injuries in their game against Royal Oak Bitteswell ending with only six fit players. They had however done enough to secure the points with a couple of goals each from Danny Concannon and Leon Coleman.

In the first round of the Les Moore Memorial Cup, last years finalists AFC Barn made it through to the semi-finals with an 8-0 win against Red Lion. A hattrick from Damien Haswell, two from Matthew Wright and goals from Steve Billings, Daniel Swainmoore and Kevin Thompson ensured their passage. Newstock Rangers are also through after edging the local derby against Barlestone Athletic. After being 3-1 down at the break they rallied and went through courtesy of goals from John Moore, Dean Smith, Lewis Smith and Glen Marston.

The Presidents Shield saw an intriguing clash between Division Two leaders Plough Inn and Senior Cup finalists FC Topps Reserves. Jack Anderson gave Plough a first half lead heading in a Tom Weaver corner kick but Topps finished off a flowing move with a shot into the bottom corner to set up an interesting second leg after a 1-1 draw. The Holywell looked in good form as they travelled to Totes Hilar and came away with a 6-0 win. A hat-trick from Paul Carnell, two from Matthew Sayles and a Chris Barber goal giving them the win. In the other game EST Lord Nelson won by the odd goal in three at Stoneycroft United.

Sporting Dynamo ensured they topped their group in the County Premier Cup with a 4-2 win at Birstall Stamford which maintains their 100 per cent record in the competition.

Cross Keys FC are celebrating their 50th Anniversary next month and they will be holding a celebratory event at the Green Rooms in Hinckley April 29.