One gola proves decisive in Birstall Stamford’s defeat

ALL in all, it was quite a good day in the group stages of the county cup with four of our teams winning. However, Birstall Stamford came unstuck at FC Topps losing by the only goal of the game. In the other game in group one Quorn Royals beat Oadby Athletic in another closely contested game 2-1, The Royals goals coming from Matt Langham and Liam Fitzpatrick. In Group Two, Anstey Sports Bar demolished The Leicester Community Football Academy 7-2 and in group three Finchy’s did the same to Enderby Social club with a 6-1 win In the Premier Shield, FC Poplar beat the Plough Inn, Bruntingthorpe 6-3, but Iannis went down 1-2 at Moira United. In the league, Division Three GNG were at home to Syston Brookside Reserves, and the game started off well balanced with Syston camped in GNG’s half for he first 10 minutes. GNG managed to win a corner which saw Hardeep Singh scoring a header, that quickly turned to two with Nikesh Godhania finishing off a slick move. In the second half GNG scored another two in the first 10 mins through Rabinder Dhillon and Onkar Singh and saw the game off. Syston though, really put some pressure on in the last 20 mins and were unlucky not to score a couple of consolations. Racing Alleno v Verdon Athletic was a scrappy affair with chances for both sides, and it was Verdon that went into half time with the advantage after a simple through ball. In the second half Racing changed formation, which resulted in them having more possession. A good passing team move saw Racing equalise with a goal from Greg North. Racing secured the points three minutes from the end in a close and competitive game via route one, when their goal kick was flicked on by Jason Brackenridge for Gregg North to chase and coolly slot home. New Parks Rangers beat Greenfields Rangers 6-3, Stephen Brook and Conner Kierly both scoring a brace with Lochlan Murray and Jake Tomlinson making up the total, Ryan Lovett with two for Greenfields. Dishley Rangers and Braunstone United shared the points after a 2-2 draw with Koran Bedder and Michael Mullaney Braunstone’s scorers. Loughborough Stags travelled to Thurmaston DPC and went home with the points with a 2-1 victory. In Division Two, a couple of games ended in 11-0 wins for Red Cow Rangers and Thorpe Acre, whilst two games ended in low scoring draws, Bhudda and Birstall Stamford A ending goalless and Sporting Charnwood and Athletic Sportsman with a one all draw, James Biddles for Sporting and Conor Woolman for Sportsman. LK Utd were at home to Winchester Phoenix in a very close game, Ash Jones with an early strike to put Winchester ahead with LK drawing level with a penalty. Ash Jones restored Winchester’s lead And Liam Grundy then made it 3-1. LK were reduced to 10 men but still managed to score to make it a nervy finish for Winchester until James Culpin scored the away sides fourth and his first in 10 years, Josh Cox and Nathan Earle for the home side. In Division One, Burton played host to Birstall Stamford Res in a competitive game at Towles Field. Birstal Stamford created some early pressure but Burton defended soundly and countered with some attractive attacking play without being able to provide the finishing touch. Birstall took the lead midway through the first half but Burton levelled before the interval with an excellent long range shot from Nikki Harvey. The visitors regained the lead early in the second half and as the game progressed Burton took chances in defence in an effort to get on level terms, however Burton were made to pay for their lack of defensive cover when the visitors scored a third late on to seal the game and take the points. Sileby Athletic scored seven without reply away at FC Hathern with hat-tricks for both Joe Metterley and Jake Rimmington, whilst early favourites for promotion Long Whatton saw off last season’s in-form side Syston Brookside with an easy 5-1 win. Closer games were fought out by other sides in the division with Newboys ending up on the wrong side of a 2-1 result at home to Kegworth Imperial, Dexter Manley and Mathew Hutchinson for the away side. Shepshed United were the winners in a five-goal thriller at Bharat, Charlie Dunkin, Liam Golding and one from veteran Mathew Unwin saw the Shepshed side victorious. The remaining game saw Anstey Sports Bar reserves overcome Spinney rovers 5-3. A hat-trick for Darren Wheeler and two for Joe Griffin sealing the points for Anstey, with two for Liam Hardy and one for Shane Hulme for the Rovers.