Weekend of goals as Birstall Stamford Res hit 10 in away win

A QUALITY game in the Premier Division saw a five-goal thriller between Quorn Royals and top of the table Finchy’s. With both sides in attacking mood it was inevitable that there would be missed chances and so it proved, but it was Finchy’s who went in at the break 3-1 up with two goals from Nathan KewMoss and one for Thomas Wood. Jack Green and Nick Gould for the Royals made it 3-2 to ensure a nervy finish to a quality game of football, but Finchy’s held out to claim the points.

F.C. Poplar entertained Iannis and it was the away side who started the sharper side and it was they who took the lead when a free kick was fumbled by the home keeper resulting in an easy tap in for Rob Tudor. Pops half time talk was effective as they piled on the pressure and desperate tackles resulted in two penalties, both taken by Dan Bryans and both converted, Iannis could have equalised with a penalty themselves, but Pops keeper not only saved the penalty but the rebound as well. Owyn Palmer-Aiken secured the points for the home side close to the end.

Division One leaders Birstall Stam- ford Reserves kept their 100% record with a 10-3 demolition of Kegworth Imperial, Tom Henson with a hat trick for Kegworth, Aaron Headley and Callum Sankey scoring hat tricks for Birstall.

Burton travelled to Leicester Bharat and it was the home side who dominated possession in the early stages of the game, but Burton defended well. Burton took the lead midway through the first half, when a through ball caught the Bharat defence flat footed and allowed Josh Smith a clear run on goal to place the ball wide of the advancing keeper. Bharat drew level after the break but Burton showed their resilience and scored a fine goal when a run down the right flank and pinpoint cross from Nikki Harvey gave Josh Smith a tap in at the far post. Again Bharat levelled the score and a draw looked on the cards until a well taken goal from Matt Harris 10 minutes from the end gave Burton their first league win of the season.

Long Whatton and Sileby Athletic met and not surprisingly shared the points with a 3-3 draw. Both these sides are tipped for the top and with quality play and goals from Josh Charleston (2) and Luke Greet for Whatton it’s easy to see why.

The remaining two games in this division were one sided contests, with Shepshed United scoring nine goals against Spinney Rovers who could only manage one consolation. Goals from River Hardy Reece Alan , Daniel Lock , and braces from captain Dean Pell and Jack Burbank and an own goal making up Shepshed’s total.

Newboys beat F.C. Hathern 8-2, a hat trick for Linford Harris and two for Mark Walton the main marksmen for Newboys.

In Division Two Thorpe Acre are another side to maintain their 100% record, but they were run very close by Bhudda just edging the tie in a 13-goal thriller. A hat trick for Bhudda’s Joe Butcher-Smith was just a consolation, as goals from Yassine Regrag (2), Tom Arme, Ryan Burton, Charlie Crawley and Christian Mays kept the Loughborough side in top spot. Winchester Phoenix lost 3-5 at home to Greenhill Sparrows. A hat trick for Kia Thompson with one each from Alan Deacon and Danny French giving the Sparrows the points. Real Shoemakers lost at home to The Swan 6-2, and Red Cow Rangers also won away by scoring six, Athletic Sports- man scoring three in return. LK and Birstall Stamford A were involved in a close tussle, with the Birstall side the eventual victors 2-1

In Division Three, the two top sides met and it was New Parks Rangers who maintained their maximum with a closely contested 2-1 win over Racing Alleno. GNG Sunday took over second spot with a 9-1 rout over Ballpark Nirvana, four from Nikesh Ghodania and a hat trick for Jimmy Rana the major scorers. Luke Garrett scored four goals for Verdon Athletic in their 6-2 victory over Greenfield Rangers, Leigh Syrett and Ryan Lovett the Rangers marksmen. A hat trick for Sam Murry and one each for Anthony Boyle and Joe Turner saw Loughborough Stags go nap without reply away at Greenhill Sparrows Reserves. Dishley Rangers lost to the odd goal in three in their clash at home to Thurmaston DPC, Kane Clarke scoring for Thurmaston four minutes from the end, while Connor Reeves and Nick Lunn both scored braces for Syston Brookside Res in their 6-3 victory over Braunstone Athletic.

In the J.D. Thomas league cup tie Birstall Stamford beat Division Two side AFC Sporting Charnwood 4-0