RECOVERY MISSION PROVES TO BE KEY AS MAYBANK NET TITLE JOY WITH THRILLING DRAW
FC Maybank picked up the point they needed to secure the Division Five title - but needed a second-half fightback to ensure they pipped opponents Foxley to top spot.
The winner-takes-all clash at Abbey Hulton looked to be going the way of Foxley, who started the day in second place as they established a 4-1 halftime lead.
But table-toppers Maybank rallied in the second 45 minutes to salvage a 4-4 draw to win the division.
Foxley, meanwhile, finished as runners-up and make the step up with their rivals for next season.
Foxley took an early led through Regan Lymer, but Maybank quickly levelled through Matt Rogalski’s free-kick.
However, Foxley were back in front as Lymer tapped home at the back post before chipping the keeper to complete his hat-trick.
And it was 4-1 at the break as Tyler Atrell smashed the ball past the keeper.
The second half turned out to be a different proposition, though.
Will Kilgariff nodded home a free-kick for 4-2, before Jim Batkin reduced the deficit to just one.
It was all-square when James Ellison headed home at the back post to leave Maybank on the brink of the title.
Foxley put late pressure on their rivals, but couldn’t fashion a clearcut chance and it was Maybank who were left celebrating.
Brindleys Lock finish their first Coors campaign with only their third league win of the season - a 1-0 victory at Athletico 53.
Connor Kirkland got the allimportant goal but results elsewhere confirmed The Lock will finish bottom.
FC Robin Hood and Ball Green Vets played out a 2-2 draw.
John Wickes scored twice for Robin Hood, but James Sherratt and Justin Meredith gave Ball Green a point.
In the Premier Division, Royle Street finished their campaign with three points courtesy of a Lee Tawn hat-trick at Cuckoo Albion.
The win lifts the Congleton side out of the bottom three for now but they face an anxious wait to see if their rivals grab the win they need to relegate Royle Street.
Harry Bickerton got the goal for Albion, but they drop back into the bottom two for now.
FC Lambourne and Knave of Clubs drew 0-0 - a result which leaves the latter six points off leaders Greenhoffs with three matches remaining.
Men Unite kept their hopes of a second-placed finish alive with a 7-2 defeat of Vale Hoppers.
George Sidebottom and Zak Oakes got the goals for Hoppers, but a Lee Cropper hat-trick and a brace from Lucas Smith saw Men Unite jump into the top four.
A fifth defeat of the season for Milton essentially puts paid to any lingering hopes of them retaining their title as they now trail by nine points with only three games remaining.
Crescent had Ryan James to thank for the win that keeps them up in their first season as his four-goal haul helped them to a 4-2 success.
Kie Wild and Nick Bennett scored for Milton.
Redgate Clayton held Moorlands Athletic to a 0-0 draw which opens up the chase for the runners-up spot in Division One.
Moorlands now lead Shamblers by a single point and only have one games left which is against unbeaten champions Canal Tavern.
In Division Two, a 4-2 win for Coach sealed fourth place and also means that Halmerend CIC must win both of their remaining games to avoid the drop.
Reece Smith, Jordan Kelly, and Jordan Evans all scored in the first half to nudge CIC nearer the trap door and it was almost four before the break when Louis Chadwick had a 30-yard volley tipped behind for a corner by the visiting keeper.
Mark Barnett bagged two for the visitors as they attempted an unlikely comeback but a thunderbolt from Mike Holt settled the Coach nerves as he restored their two-goal advantage.
Fulford completed the double over Brown Edge with a 7-3 thrashing.
Martin Wild led the way with a hat-trick and he was joined on the scoresheet by Oliver Heath, Daniel Cosby, Adam Constable and Vinny Gerrard.
Brown Edge completed a disappointing campaign with consolation goals from Hayden Smith, Baylee Maddox and Adam Griffiths.
Stoke Town and Adderley Green drew 2-2.
Elisio Francisco gave the visitors a first-half lead, but that was almost immediately cancelled out by Harry Lakin as he got onto the end of a Matt Coar cross to equalise.
The second half saw Adderley Green take the lead once more through an own goal, but Town weren’t to be denied and when Chris Durose was brought down in the box Matthew Guest kept his nerve to make it 2-2.
The draw sees Adderley ahead by a point at the end of their campaign but Stoke Town go to AFC Moorlands on the May 15 needing just a point to win the title on goal difference.
White Hart VPR ran out 3-2 winners at Waterhouses.
A Carl Saunders double and a Marcus Johnson strike was enough to earn the points.
Waterhouses hit back through Jake Binns and a rare Bryan Mycock goal but it wasn’t enough for the Staffs Moorlands based side who still need a point to be certain of safety.
In Division three, Mitchells leapfrogged Black Cock courtesy of a 1-0 win with Mike Lowe scoring the only goal and fine strike it was.
The Black Cock keeper cleared the ball towards halfway and Lowe reacted quickest to fire a superb half volley over the stranded keeper for a strike worthy of winning any game.
In Division Four, champions Royal Oak grab another three points thus time at the expense of already relegated Bradwell.
Jaycee Roberts bagged a penalty for the hosts who finish bottom but goals by Jake Peake, James Booth, Ben Bentley and Jack Whittington extend their unassailable lead at the top to eight points.
Plaza grabbed three points that put them on the cusp of promotion.
Liam Shaugnessy gave the hosts a first-half lead from the penalty spot and Rob Mcaskill made it 2-0 just before the break.
Shane Allen made it 3-0 in the second half with Cheadle struggling with injuries and Plaza now lead SMU by five points going into the last two weeks of the campaign.