Comfortable county cup victory for Birstall Stamford

IN the Leicestershire and Rutland County Premier Cup Birstall Stamford were away to an aptly named Avin a laugh united who played with just 10 men. This could have been a distraction for Birstall, but they applied themselves well to control the game from start to finish and with the aid of five goals from Rikky Bates and goals from Lee Barratt and Nathan Bibby and took all three points with a 7-1 victory.

In the Sunday Premier Shield Group B two first half goals from Danny Pownell saw F.C. Loughborough go into half time 2-1 up against Oadby Athletic. In a closely fought game veteran Luke Green sealed the tie in the 87th minute to make the final score 3-2 to the Loughborough side.

In Group C a hat trick for Suleiman Nassor and one each for Celson Patracino and Farid Yusuf saw St Mathews Dynamo record a 5-2 win at home to Enderby Social Club. This was an excellent game between two motivated and organised sides. This was a must win for Dynamos in their bid to progress to the knock out stage of the County Premier Shield, they came from behind in first half and were level at break. and won the game with a devastating spell just before the hour with two goals in just two minutes. EDS came back to within one but late goals sealed a deserved victory.

Back in the league Quorn Royals Reserves completed their season with a closely fought game against Park Rise. With a large contingent unavailable for the Royals it was all hands on deck to put out a side. In the end though both clubs produced an enjoyable spectacle, with the only blemish being an unfortunate dismissal of a Park Rise player. James Gamble and Bryce White scoring for the Royals in a 2-1 win.

F.C. Hathern’s recent improvements seem to have deserted them as they went down 5-1 at home to Leicester Bharat.

In Division Two. bottom club Palmerston Athletic made a massive fist of it at second placed Birstall Stamford A goal from a half way free kick from Palmerston’s Nathan Dickens was the highlight of the game, but two goals from the Birstall side saw them keep the pressure on the leaders Monsell.

F.C. Phantom and Shepshed United had a hard fought encounter with both clubs going home with a point each after a 1-1 draw.

And after last weeks heroics Monsell Wasps could only draw 1-1 away at Spinney Rovers, Jason Brackenbridge the Wasp’s lone scorer.

Long Whatton also kept up their challenge with a 3-0 win at home against Bhudda. Oals from Billy Black- shaw, Mitchell Woodbine and Mark Etherington securing all three points for the third placed side.

In the Sylvia Haynes Division Three, it’s now a three horse race with the favourites Syston Brookside winning again. Two goals from Steve Mitchel and one for Joe Ferguson saw the leaders consolidate their lead with a 3-0 win away at Ratby Sports.

The two main chasers aren’t giving up easily tough, and after a few recent disappointing results, Burton returned to winning ways with a 4-2 home win against Braunstone Utd, while third placed Kegworth are still in with a great chance of a top spot after their 5-2 win against Athletic Sportsman.

Greenhill Sparrows entertained White Hart and went down 7-4, while a mid table clash between Plough Thorpe Acre and Fleckney Athletic resulted in a 2-0 win for Plough, with goals from Tom James and Pete Newton.