Kentish Express Ashford & District
Wait goes on for Albert as Grove win cup final
ASHFORD & DISTRICT SUNDAY LEAGUE: DIVISION 2 LEADERS BEATEN AT HOMELANDS Peter Pain Memorial Div 2 Lge Cup final Division 2
Prince Albert’s 45-year wait for silverware continues after they were beaten 2-1 by Burton Grove in the final at Homelands.
Goals in each half from strike pair Andy Neal and James Ross saw Burton Grove lift the trophy for the second time to shock the Division 2 leaders.
Grove, bottom of the table and facing a fight to avoid relegation, threw the form book out of the window.
Prince Albert are still favourites to land the title but they missed out on the chance of the double. The came up against a resolute Burton defence and man-of-the-match Brian Meachair in goal.
Grove opening the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, when top goal scorer Neal hit a spectacular effort from outside the area past Albert keeper Ryan Hadley.
Prince Albert were back level a few minutes later when midfielder Jordan Griffin equalised with a fine effort of his own.
The winning goal came 15 minutes from full-time when Ross hooked the ball home from Neal’s downward header.
Albert pushed hard for a second equaliser but couldn’t get passed Day and Skivington in the Grove defence, as Burton held on to claim the trophy. Macleod, including one from the penalty spot, saw Market go 3-0 ahead.
Mabb scored his second to put the hosts 4-0 up, before Macleod’s low drive sealed his hat-trick.
Market were soon 6-0 in front when defender Chris Wyles headed in at the back post. Gary Lockyer added a seventh after 81 minutes before Mabb was given the chance to seal his treble when Market were awarded a second penalty in the two minutes from time.
For Loco it was their cup defeat in succession – and this without scoring a goal. Lolzors moved to within four points of long-time leaders Prince Albert at the top with a 7-5 victory at home to Grasshoppers.
Striker Justin Howard moved onto 21 goals for the season with another hat-trick for the Pumas, while Antonio Miguel, Matt Wright, Ashley Stone and defender Dan Davies also got on the score sheet to see Lolzors pick up all three points.
Frankie Steer hit a treble for the Hoppers in reply, while both Paul Paddock and Shannon Hodson also netted for the Lydd side.
Brad Freund was again among the goals as his double helped Ashford Cavaliers beat Sheber Trophy finalists Appledore 7-1.
Andy Ward also netted from the penalty spot, while Michael Perry, Chris Wilkins, Luke Hughes and Craig Mitchell all scored for Steve Mailey’s side. An own goal from James Atkins the only consolation for Appledore.