MEN UNITE PUT IN THE EXTRA EFFORT TO NET CUP FINAL PLACE
MEN Unite backed up their Staffs FA Sunday Premier Cup win by reaching the final of the Autonet Insurance Coors League Cup final.
They defeated Crescent 4-2, but needed extra-time to set up a meeting with Premier Division title winners Greenhoffs at Newcastle Town on Sunday.
Crescent took the lead through Shay Finney, but Jack Gumbley soon levelled.
Courtney Franklin again had Crescent a goal to the good, but player-manager Ant Malbon levelled and the game went to extra time.
A Liam Robinson goal early in the extra period gave Men Unite a 3-2 lead and Jack Dawson made the game safe from the penalty spot as he made it 4-2.
In the Premier Division, Greenhoffs sealed their first top-flight title thanks to a 2-0 win over nearest rivals Knave Of Clubs.
The hosts took an early lead when a left-wing cross found the unmarked Jordan Flattley who headed home.
Knave soon created chances to level. Luke Bourne was put through on goal, but took an extra touch and the defender got back to make a fine block.
Another effort went close as the visitors got into the box on the right and dragged a shot across the box and wide of the far post with the keeper stranded.
A fine cross from Luke Bourne saw Brandon Ford pop a looping header towards goal, but it landed just wide of the post.
The second half saw Josh Halliday steal possession in midfield for Knave before firing just over the bar from 25 yards.
Knave keeper Jamie Shaw made a fine double save to keep his side in the hunt and the visitors were also denied a penalty after a strong appeal.
The decisive second goal came 10 minutes from time as a shot from the edge of the box by Jordan Flattley again wrong footed the keeper and found the bottom corner.
The final whistle saw fireworks set off to celebrate the first Premier Division title for Greenhoffs as they claim a Premier League and Cup double.
FC Lambourne and Cuckoo Albion shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw.
Lambourne were left to rue a missed penalty and being denied by both dogged defending and the woodwork as Cuckoo claimed their eighth draw in 20 league games.
Alyx Bailey gave the visitors a firsthalf lead. A Ben Matthews free-kick was headed home by Josh Ryder for the equaliser and the hosts hit the post through Dylan Bromley and Liam Cope before Matthews was on hand to fire Lambourne into the lead.
Brandon Mcredie levelled for Cuckoo just before the interval.
The second half saw Lambourne hot the woodwork again through Ben Lees before they were awarded a penalty which Jake Hewitt missed.
Cuckoo also cleared one off the line as they claimed a point to finish their campaign four points clear of the drop zone.
In Division One, Redgate Clayton came from behind to become the first team to ever take league points from Canal Tavern Kidsgrove.
Liam Shaw bagged a goal in each half for the champions, but a Ben Dawson goal reduced the deficit for Redgate in the second half and a late Jordan Hall penalty gave them a share of the spoils and a fourthplaced finish.
In Division Three, Jollees left it late to beat champions Royal Furlong 3-2.
Furlong scored through Dylan Barrett and Callum Ward with Brad Woolliscroft and Dylan Forrester replying for the hosts.
With time running out it was looking like Jollees would miss out on promotion until a last gasp Brad Wolliscroft strike gave them the winner and a chance to claim runners-up next weekend where only a win at Mitchells will see them promoted.
In Division Four, victory for Champions Royal Oak denied Cheadle the chance of a top-two finish and confirmed promotion for Plaza FC.
Jake Peake gave the hosts a firsthalf lead, but 16-year-old Henry
Hodge levelled for Cheadle before the break.
Royal Oak had a devastating spell just after half-time and killed the game off with the three goals in 15 minutes.
A Ryan Pank brace and a Jacob Edwards strike saw them 4-1 up, but Cheadle scored again through Zak Povey before full time.
In Division Five, Athletico 53 have made great strides in their first-ever season and sign off this campaign with a fine 3-0 victory over FC Robin Hood.
James Makins opened the scoring
as he tucked the ball past the keeper when through one on one and Ryan Keegan made it 2-0 with a firm header from a Makins corner.
Tom Greaves made it 3-0 direct from a free-kick which left Atletico finishing 7th with promise of more to come next season.
FC Robin finish fifth after failing to win any of their final five games.
Ball Green Vets finished with their first win in five games as they hammered Staffs Vics 5-1.
Simon Snape bagged a hat-trick, while Rob Wedge and veteran Danny Farmer were also on target.