Boss Humphries hits the net at the age of 53

WHITTLESEY boss Paul Humphries found the net at 53 . . . but incredibly he isn’t even the oldest Peterborough and District League Premier Division goalscorer this season.

Humphries made his mark during a brief appearance as a substitute in a 52 midweek win at Leverington, coolly providing the finishing touch to a pass from youngster Shane Cooke.

It was his first goal for six years but Humphries is a year younger than veteran Alconbury player Jardine Belle who found the net in the top flight back in March at the age of 54.

Humphries said: “There was an injury just after I had sent my only other substitute on, so I had to go on myself.

“I only had 15 minutes but tucked the chance away nicely. I could have scored another but that shot went out for a throw!”

Humphries resisted the temptation of another run-out when his team completed their season with a 3-1 home defeat against Crowland on Saturday that leaves them third-bottom.

LEVERINGTON legend Wayne Garner made the most of a rare outing to add his name to the list of golden oldie goalscorers in the Premier Division.

Former boss and current number two Garner (48) found the net in an 8-2 victory over Alconbury in the Fenland club’s final game of the season.

“We gave the old git a run-out and he got his goal,” said boss Stuart Webb who also saw captain-for-theday Craig Ablett hit a hat-trick.

Sam Cubberley struck twice with Simon Oakley and youngster Max Matless also on target as Leverington completed a hectic end to the season on a high.

The Fen lads were handed four fixtures in the space of a week and had lost the previous three.

Webb added: “It’s ridiculous and we’re not at all chuffed about it. It’s hard enough to get a side out for one midweek game, let alone two.

“I really don’t see why we had to have so many games packed into a short space of time when other teams are still playing this week.”

Webb plans to remain at the Leverington helm after a promising first season in the job during which he has revamped the village side with plenty of young blood.

PARSON Drove are finishing the season with a flourish.

Brothers James and Scott McManus inspired a sizzling second-half turnaround as they recovered from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at Uppingham on Saturday.

The siblings bagged a brace apiece with James classily providing the winner from a quickly-taken free-kick.

Boss Nick Markillie, who started his second match in recent weeks at the age of 50, said: “No-one would have given us a hope in hell when we went three down early in the second half.

“It was a strange game but the lads showed a lot of spirit to turn it around.”

CROWLAND player-boss Gavin Mcpartlin is satisfied with his first full season at the helm.

A 3-1 success over in-form Whittlesey on Saturday has left the Lincs lads with a good chance of finishing ‘top’ of the bottom eight in the Premier Division standings.

Mcpartlin said: “We have a good group of players who are gaining experience at this level all the time.

“Whittlesey have a good side so we’re very pleased to go there and pick up three points.”

Seantreagus and Mcpartlin gave Crowland the advantage at Whittlesey before Danny Hotchkiss halved the home side’s arrears.

Shane Cooke then hit the post for Whittlesey before substitute James Ellwood sealed Crowland’s success with a third goal.