FC Poplar grab 15 goals in League Cup demolition
Leicester and Charnwood Sunday League
IN THE J.D. Thomas League cup preliminary round, goals continue to flow for FC Poplar, they made it 23 goals in two games as they whipped a spirited Syston Brookside Reserves side 15-0.
Four goals for Paul Dickens were followed by consecutive hat tricks for Josh Barr and Dan Bryans, Rooney with a brace and Scottish, Webby, and Padge with the other goals.
In the first-round games Division Two leaders Thorpe Acre were at home to Division Three’s unbeaten side New Parks Rangers, and the Leicester side maintain their 100% record with a 6-3 win. Four goals from Jake Tomlinson and one each from Lenny Hulme and John Tointon plus a great performance from goalkeeper and man of the match Nicky Wright takes them into the next round. Winchester Phoenix brushed aside struggling Braunstone United 16-2, Phoenix off to a rocky start going 1-0 down to a penalty, but quickly came back to take the lead early on courtesy of a well placed free kick by Nathan Dickens. Four first half goals including a perfect hat-trick from Dan George saw Phoenix going in 8-1 up at the break. Phoenix continued to apply the pressure, scoring a couple more before Braunstone got their second with another penalty. Liam Grundy with a hat-trick for Phoenix and Nathan Dickens, Ash Jones, Joe Monksfield, Mason Smith all with a brace each. Ross Taylor-Knoll scoring Phoenix 16th finishing off a well worked move that he started himself.
Birstall Stamford Reserves progress at the expense of Red Cow Rangers, and two goals from Tom Henson and one from substitute Matt Hutchinson saw Kegworth Imperial through 3-1 at home to GNG Sunday. Division Three’s Ballpark Nirvana were at home to premier side Anstey Sports Bar and, although going out 4-1 must be proud of their performance. Division Three’s top side Racing Alleno took on Division One side Leicester Bharat and beat them soundly 6-1, two goals each from Jason Brackenbridge and Daniel Houndsworth the away side’s main scorers. Premier side Iannis also progressed at the expense of Division One’s Syston Brookside with a narrow 3-2 victory.
AFC Sporting Charnwood played their second round match in the County F.A. trophy and fought hard to force extra time against Pubwatch Wanderers. The score at 90 minutes being 5-5. Unfortunately though, conceding two goals in extra time to go out 7-5.
The only Premier Division fixture saw Birstall Stamford ruin Finchy’s unbeaten league record in a closely contested game. Two goals for James Pearce and one each from Josh Gough and Wayne Slawson saw them take the points with a 4-3 home win.
Sylvia Hanes Division One’s only unbeaten side Long Whatton were in a local derby against bottom club F.C.Hathern and as expected maintained their record with a comfortable 6-1 victory, whilst Newboys continue to push for promotion with a resounding 10-0 win at home to Shepshed United, four from Jamie Chamberlain and two each for Ashley Charles and Linford Harris the main scorers. Burton made their fifth journey to Leicester in the past six weeks to take on Spinney Rovers at Victoria Park. They were rewarded with a goal in the first minute as Nikki Harvey showed a deft touch to covert a cross into a goal. Spinney levelled the score and then took the lead but Burton levelled the score midway through the first half as Nikki Harvey claimed his second goal with a neat header from a cross to the near post. The home side took the lead shortly before half time but Burton responded early in the second period when Dan Parkin scored from the pen- alty spot. Spinney provided the goal of the game to regain the lead with a spectacular overhead kick. Burton hopes of getting anything from the game faded when Spinney increased their lead late on. Burton kept going to the end and scored in the last minute to give the score line some respectability, but it did not provide any consolation for the 5-4 defeat. Sileby Athletic continue to challenge after a 3-1 win away at Anstey Sports Bar reserves.
A mid table clash in A.B. Wallace Division Two saw LK United thrash Athletic Sportsman 10-2, Joel Atkins and Connor Woolman scoring Athletics consolations and in the other game played in this division F.C.Bhudda climbed into third spot with a 5-2 win away at The Swan, Joe Butcher Smith scoring four for the away side with the other goal coming from substitute Harry Aulak.
Greenfield Rangers are still looking for their first point of the season after losing 7-0 away at Dishley Rangers in Division Three, a hat trick for Andrew Moore and one each from Tomas Cunningham, Andy Dengate, Craig Staples and Luke Saunders maintaining the Loughborough side’s challenge at the top, whilst Thurmaston DPC and Newbold Athletic shared the points with a one all draw.