Birstall Stamford prove too strong for the Wasps
THE J.D. Thomas league cup semi final saw second division side Monsell Club Wasps take on the might that is Birstall Stamford.
Monsell started brightly and were unfortunate not to take the lead after a sharp move down the right and a pinpoint cross to the far post saw a poor connection from Wasps forward. Birstall were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes and Nathan Bibby made no mistake from the spot. It could have been all square at half time after a poor clearance from Birstall’s keeper but the long range shot hit the post.
In the second half both sides had their chances, but it was Birstall’s class in front of goal that saw them through to the final as Rikky Bates scored a brace to make the final score 3-0.
The Hardings Transport trophy final will be between F.C. Poplar and Birstall Stamford Reserves at Holm- es Park on Sunday, April 16.
Two Loughborough sides went head to head when F.C. Poplar and F.C. Phantom met for a place in the final.
Pop opened the scoring when Ryan Page converted a penalty, and two minutes later headed them into a 2-0 lead.
Soon after Paul Dickens opened his account rounding the keeper and slotting into the empty net. At 25 minutes it became 4-0 as Daniel Webb was set up to score.
In the second half Pop continued to dominate and Ryan Page soon completed his hat trick, and indeed a fourth with Paul Dickens also scoring a hat trick.
Two goals from Phantoms Harry Collinson and one from Joe Wright were just consolations.
In the other semi final Birstall Reserves and Newboys were all square at half time at 1-1. But five goals from Birstall’s Aaron Headley and a goal for Aaron Sweeney made it 5-1 to the Stanny lads.
In the Griffin senior cup group stage F.C. Loughborough were 3-1 up at half time with goals from Tommy Wright, Ben Morris and Marky. But due to sheer weight of numbers they ran out of steam late on and goals from Farid Yusuf, Zack Whitmore and Abdi Mohamoud gave St Mathews Dynamo the win.
Back in the league, Anstey Sports bar were home to Frolesworth and both sides fought out close and entertaining game with Anstey eventually taking the points with a 3-2 win.
In Division One, leaders Quorn Royals Reserves were finally treated to a game of football and they soon shook off the cobwebs against a much improved Hathern side. A Laithan Hammond second half hat trick was the cream on the cake after two goals in the first half for Drew Williamson and one for Bryce White saw them make it a little more difficult for the chasers to catch up.
In Division Two, Birstall Stamford’s third string had a field day at home to Beacon F.C. winning 13-1 with Liam Derry and Kevin Dunn both scoring hat tricks.
A hat trick for Long Whatton’s Mitchel Woodbine, plus two for Josh Bowley ensured they keep the pressure on the leaders with an 8-1 win away at Red Cow Rangers.
And while Shepshed United and Bhudda fought out an excellent 3-3 draw, Spinney Rovers and Palmerstone Athletic in an epic battle, Spinney just edging it 5-4.
In Division Three two mid table sides, Verdon Athletic and White Hart went head to head and it must have been a classic as it ended up 6-5 to Verdon. A Luke Garratt hat trick for Verdon the decisive scores.
Kegworth thrashed Greenhill 8-2 and Fleckney beat Braunstone 4-1 in the other Division Three games.