Birstall Stamford A crash out of Ryder Cup in surprise 4-3 defeat
IT WAS cup week for most clubs in the Leicester and Charnwood Sunday Football League this week, and in the Hardings Transport Cup, fresh from a narrow league win a fortnight previous, Burton returned to Rushey Fields to take on Leicester Bharat.
Bharat took a first half lead but Burton levelled with a neat finish from Nikki Harvey. The home side scored early in the second half but a late Burton long range equaliser from James Shepherd took the game into extra time. An excellent headed goal by Richie Cowlishaw gave Burton the lead in extra time but a controversial penalty decision very late on gave Bharat a lifeline, which they seized upon to take the game to penalties. Bharat went on to win the penalty shoot-out 5-3.
Newboys were at the wrong end of an 8-2 result at home against Anstey Sports Bar Reserves. Darren Wheeler and Luke Holyoake both scoring hat tricks for Anstey.
Shepshed United failed to score in their game at home to Sileby Athletic, goals from Mathew Davies, Curtis Mildenhall, Liam Winnett and two from substitute Joe Metterley saw Sileby through to round two.
A Dexter Manley hat trick saw Kegworth Imperial into the hat with a 5-1 win over Spinney Rovers, David Wells scoring Spinney’s consolation.
The Ryder Transport Cup produced a shock result, when previously unbeaten Birstall Stamford A were knocked out 4-3 away at Winchester Phoenix, Phoenix’s scorers were Ben Jones with two and one each from Daniel George and Liam Grant.
Another close game saw Athletic Sportsman progress at the expense of The Swan. Athletic scored all their goals in the first 30 minutes courtesy of a Billy Carlisle first minute goal followed by goals from Jay Dixon and Dale Hartopp made it 3-1 at half time, The Swan however fought back and a goal in the second half made it a nervy finish.
In the Chairmans cup, another game to rely on a shootout was Braunstone United vs Greenhill Sparrows Reserves. Half time saw Greenhill 4-2 up and in the box seat, Braunstone though had other ideas and in the second half upped their game as they scored two goals to force the tie into extra time. A goal for each side made it 5-5 to take the game to spot kicks which the Sparrows won 5-3.
Loughborough Stags go through after another close result with a 5-4 win at home to Syston Brookside Reserves, Syston were 3-2 up at half time but the Stags fought their way back in the second half to progress to the next round. Connor Greaves scoring a hit trick for the losing side.
New Parks Rangers continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 6-2 win at home to Thurmaston DPC with a Jake Tomlinson Hat trick added to by Harry Morrisey, Stephen Brook and Ellis Alborn. Will Brown and Louis Middleton the scorers for Thurmaston.
GNG had a good away day at Verdon Athletic to go through 5-3 despite being 2-0 down at half time. Two goals from substitute Nikesh Ghodania saw the away side progress to the next round.
Back to the league, and Finchy’s continue their march for the premier division trophy with a 2-0 win at home to Iannis, its early days but with Aaron Preston on form with two goals they are full of confidence. This is a very competitive division though, with all six sides deserved of their spot and a credit to the league.
Quorn Royals are in second place after a 3-0 win at home to Anstey Sports.
Birstall Stamford remain the sleeping giant though, and to dismiss them is a big mistake as F.C. Poplar found out only too well after losing 6-2 at School Lane. Pops scorers were Dan Bryans and Ryan Page.
In Sylvia Haynes division one Syston Brookside beat F.C. Hathern 6-3 courtesy of a Sonny Packer hat trick, followed up with two from Ford Taylor and one from sub Matt Cropper.
The A.B. Wallace Trophies Division Two saw a battle of the giants with unbeaten side Thorpe Acre at home to inform Red Cow Rangers. In this encounter it was Red Cow who claimed the points with a 2-0 victory to snap at the heels of the league leaders.