CY SUNDAY Three and easy as Haughmond close gap at top MERCIAN LEAGUE 35 HAUGHMOND closed the gap on second-placed football. They proved that by beating Haugh- Star Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Cosford Bartestree to four points in division one with a LEAGUE mond, which was a game where I thought they 3-0 win at home to Gornal Athletic Reserves last might slip up. As it turned out, I was right.” Oakengates night. slipping up on Saturday with a routine 4-0 vic- Town were largely indebted to hat-trick hold their The side romped home through tory at Trysull, which left them nine points clear hero Mattie Owen after his treble at the Butler goals from joint boss Steve Rogers, Alex John- at the top. Sports Club Ground kept up their grip on fourth son and teenager Adam Davies, making his first They were up and running when Mike Evans place. nerve in start. seized on a defensive mix-up to finish, before his Owen’s prowess proved the difference, despite boost their Rogers, taking the team for the night with cross allowed Liam Bood to head home at the Louis Irvine’s goal pulling Haughmond level in other joint boss Mark Jenks on holiday, opened back post. the first-half, with two fine finishes before the a thriller the scoring early on from Johnson’s long throw. The league leaders were 3-0 up at half-time break. Johnson’s free-kick made it 2-0 at the break through Josh Bradburn’s tap in, after Jason He made sure of three points by completing his title chances COSFORD UNITED before Davies rounded the goalkeeper to finish, Pike’s corner led to Karl Griffiths being denied trio of strikes 10 minutes from time. emerged with the points as Haughmond bounced back from Saturday’s by the goalkeeper. Wem secretary Cyril Pritchard said: “Haugh- OAKENGATES ATHLETIC remain on course to claim the following a 14-goal Division 3-1 loss at Wem. Andy Hartlebury nodded in a fourth after a mond were a bit despondent at the end, but I still Mercian League Premier Division title after beating lowly Three thriller at Bulls Head Rogers said: “It’s job done, we did what we break from Kevin Buxton’s cross. think they will get promoted and I hope they do.” 3-1 on Saturday, writes Cliff Green. Bank Vets, writes had to do and, after defeat on Saturday, we were “I said to the players before the game that I Shropshire rivals St Martins, who have Goals from Dan Kibblewhite, Alex Devey and Matt John Tranter. happy to bounce back. We let ourselves down at felt Saturday was going to be a big day for us,” climbed four places from second bottom to 11th, Elsmore ensured them their 11th win of the campaign so The hosts, currently sixth Wem.” commented boss Mark Clyde. now host Haughmond at Park Hall on Saturday far to keep them two points clear of Telford Juniors, who in the table, found the net AFC Bridgnorth capitalised on Haughmond “Wem are a decent outfit who play some good after a blank weekend. Hanwood United host have played three games more. six times but were answered Telford kept themselves within touching distance of the emphatically with eight summit, though, with a slender 3-2 win over United from visitors, eighth, in the while Bank, third, remain a point behind them after league’s biggest scoreline of beating Wellington Amateurs Reserves 2-0. the day. beat Bridgnorth Reserves 2-1 while Morda and Meanwhile, leaders Edg- Whitchurch Alport drew 1-1. mond FC remain unde- Division One leaders Town got back on track feated after beating Barley after two straight defeats with a 3- 1 win at Meole Brace. FC 6-0 at home while sec- Childs Ercall, Bishops Castle Town and Wroxeter Rovers ond-placed rivals Randlay Bridgnorth net all kept up the pressure with impressive away wins. United stayed in touch with Childs Ercall beat Shrewsbury United 5-0 away, Bishops an 8-1 home win against Castle won 2-0 at Hanwood United Reserves and Wroxeter Duke of York. won 5-1 at Oswestry Villa. Coalport Tavern Oak- There were away wins Oakengates Rangers, 2-1 at Brown engates despatched Phez Clee, and Shawbury United Reserves, 2-1 at Clee Hill. United 5-1. Dawley Town and Rock Rovers played out a 1-1 draw. In the Premier Divi- In Division Two, AFC Wellington, third, edged out sion, defending champions fourth-placed Impact United 3-2 while a double from Steve Plough Inn Wellington re- Holland gave a 2-1 win at home to Highley Min- a shot at glory ers Welfare. main at the summit, having played two midweek league Town Colts beat Albrighton Juniors 3-1, Os- games, against St Georges by Craig Birch westry Villa Reserves beat Denso 3-1 and Sports and Social and Park Tigers won 4-2 at home to Spalaig Britannia. FC. [email protected] COOPER’S MEN FLYING HIGH In the Shropshire Challenge Cup, second division leaders The team, which was in- sprung a shock when they knocked out Premier volved in the FA Sunday Division with a 2-0 home win. They are Cup semi-finals at the week- AFC BRIDGNORTH reached the Shropshire the third team from the third tier to make it into the quar- end, won both matches 2-0 Premier Cup final with a 2-0 success over ter finals. and 6-0 respectively. Shifnal Town at Wellington Amateurs last On Sunday Mallard SHREWSBURY SUNDAY LEAGUE missed the chance to leap night. above them as they lost 2-1 The undefeated West Midlands League Division One at Park FC. They are now leaders saw off their Premier Division counterparts two points behind their through a goal in each half. rivals having played two Liam Bood broke the deadlock at the Wickes Stadium games more. in the first-half, latching on to Mike Evans’ cross to volley Gamble is a St Georges made up for home from eight yards. their midweek defeat with Shifnal defender Lucan a 2-0 win against Riverside Cup rivals Spittle put through his own and Sports beat net after the break, turning safe bet for Shifnal North End 2-0. Kevin Buxton’s cross past In Division One, leaders will not hapless goalkeeper Vitor FC Bulls Head Dawley Bank Pinheiro. defeated Telford Rangers Bridgnorth now look for- 3-0 at home while Light- pass up ward to deciding the trophy Loppington moor Village climbed into with either Premier Divi- second spot by beating AFC sion side Ellesmere Rangers Nova 5-0. final shot JOSH GAMBLE’S hat-trick helped keep Loppington on or league rivals Wem Town, course for the Division One title with a 5-1 win at Norbury, Maddocks Sports and So- who play tonight. cial, third, lost ground after SHROPSHIRE Premier writes Dave Sandles. Boss Mark Clyde said: AFC Ludlow’s Jack Beaumont, centre, in action. Pictures: Mark Booth Dan Cohen and Matt Owen also found the net to give the a 4-4 home draw with Made- Cup semi-finalists Elles- “It’s an occasion to look for- ley Villa. mere Rangers and Wem visitors a four-point lead at the summit over second-placed ward to and we have done SAHA, who have two games in hand. Red Lion closed the Town will both be aiming most of the hard work by gap between themselves to pass each other off the In Division Two, Kyle scored all his team’s reaching the final. We will goals, including a hat-trick in the opening 15 minutes, as and Division Two leaders pitch in their semi-final to- have time to prepare for it, Minsterley beat Rock Rovers 4-1. 2013 night. too. to five points, having played Two young football- “Our league season will Saddlers edged out the Bricklayers 3-2 in Division Three six games fewer, with a ing sides will meet on be finished long before then, thanks to a Paul Ashley (2) and Mark Hadlington. convincing 4-1 home win the neutral ground of so we can work with the lads Sundorne beat Shrewsbury United 2-0 while Steam against Shifnal Royals. Haughmond’s Shrews- on the training field and be Wagon drew with promotion hopefuls Stretton Galaxy 2-2. , third, lost bury Sports Village, with as prepared as we can be for Unison snatched a 1-0 win over Bull In the Barne thanks ground as they went down the winner to face AFC the game.” to a Carl Williams goal 10 minutes from time. 2-1 at rivals Shifnal Rovers, Bridgnorth in the final. Shifnal player-manager In Division Four, Prince of Wales lost 3-2 to Nags Head while Hawkstone Arms won 2-0 at Wheatsheat. fourth, while Station FC Improving Ellesmere Richard Gardner admitted Shrewsbury United Reserves beat Monkmoor\Abbey 5-3. beat Foresters United 6-0. are treading water but lan- his side contributed to their Gareth Thomas and Tony Burnley both netted braces while New Woodcutter guish in 17th place of the own downfall and added Paul Bliss also found the net for the winners. squeezed past Fal- West Midlands League that the tie wasn’t very In the A Rogers Management Shield, Peacock Corinthi- cons 4-3 and Dawley Social Premier Division, while pleasing on the eye. Wem sit fourth in Division ans lost 2-0 at home to Premier Division Wem Sunday 2-0 Club shared the spoils with One. while defeated holders Instones United 3-1. The Bush St Georges in a Watch Rangers director of In the quarter-final of the same competition, Reman lost 3-3 draw. football Alan Davis said: He said: “It wasn’t a good at home to Coton Rovers 3-2. “It could be a good game game to watch, at all. Both Meole Brace went out 5-4 on penalties to Foxes tonight, as both sides like sides were just looking for after the teams had drawn 4-4 after extra-time. Chadwick to get the ball down and the ball over the top but, In the Colin Thomas Windows Consolation Cup, Crown play, and anything can ultimately, it was us who Coleham were beaten 7-0 by Anchor while Rovers happen in a cup tie. It’s conceded the goals. AFC Ludlow players celebrate Jack Price’s second goal on Saturday lost to the Compasses 2-0. signs on for likely to be a tough one. “I didn’t feel like there Three Fishes went down at home to the Charles Darwin “There’s not much dif- was much in it, to be hon- 4-2 while Saha beat Old Post Office 3-3. ference between us, est, so it doesn’t really feel Belvidere bowed out 5-4 on penalties to Rock Rovers Cambridge we are rebuilding in the like a bad result. The play- Youth after extra-time. league above and they are ers didn’t do too badly.” Ludlow leap to summit CAMBRIDGE UNITED have signed Luke Chadwick on going well in their division, Meanwhile, Wellington NORTH SHROPSHIRE LEAGUE loan from Milton Keynes so it should be interesting. Amateurs travelled away AFC LUDLOW went top of the West Mid- WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE “Some of the older from home to snatch their lands League Division Two for the first time Dons for the rest of the sea- third straight win with a son. heads have been there this season with a vital 1-0 victory at Sikh and done it in these sort late salvo at Dudley Sports. Hunters last night, writes LEWIS DEAKIN. The 33-year-old spent Ams trailed to a Sports way with a hat-trick each, with two more Market hot-shot Bailey seven years at Old Trafford, of games, but the younger Manager Dave Cooper described the lads will be really up for goal on the hour in the West from Keanu Cooper and strikes from Martin but spent the 1999-2000 one-goal win as their “best performance Jusko and Vladimir Biscak. this. For us to get some sil- Midlands League Premier of the season,” despite his team netting season on loan at Royal Ant- Division, only to strike twice Meanwhile, 10- man Newport Town nets magnificent seven werp, helping them win the verware out of this season double figures in their previous two games. would be great, we want to in the last six minutes for were on the wrong end of a hammering as Belgian second division title. Dale Hodge’s volley before half-time led they were soundly thrashed 8-2 away from ATHLETICO MARKET’S Karl Bailey helped keep his secure our league status victory. the South Shropshire side to three points Chadwick went on to play first but we believe we can Ryan Guryn put the fin- home at a rampant Worcester Raiders. team in the North Shropshire Sunday Futsal League title for West Ham, Stoke and putting them two clear of Team Dudley, Town had taken the lead in the first min- hunt with a seven-goal display in their 11-1 demolition of win this competition.” ishing touches to Jamie who have two games in hand. Norwich City before moving Wem will be shorn of King’s cross-cum-shot, be- ute through Cal Pugh’s first of two goals, The Keys St Martins, writes Roger Candlin. to MK Dons in 2008. fore Maldine Costa seized Cooper said: “The pitch was awful and before captain Liam Bould was sent off for Josh Sumner also grabbed a hat-trick for the winners Saturday’s hat-trick hero nearly half of the floodlights didn’t work, so Director of football Jez Mattie Owen, Chris Peel on a ball just inside the box kicking out an opponent with the score at and Macrea Evans netted a single. Tom Nash was on target George said the Cambridge- to rifle home with two min- it was like playing in a car park. We really 2-2. for The Keys. and Mattie Cohen, who had to grind it out.” born winger called saying he are all cup-tied after fea- utes to go. Shaun Ingram’s side went 3-2 down by The win keeps Athletico level on points with leaders wanted to play for them. turing for Market Drayton Joint boss Mike Arm- There’s been little stopping Ludlow on half-time before collapsing after the break. Cross Foxes, who they meet in a title decider next Sunday. “People may say this is Town. strong said: “It was char- home turf in their last two games, as Sat- The Newport boss said: “The results The goals also flowed as Dudleston Heath came from be- too good to be true but Luke Joint boss Rob Pritchard acter building for our boys urday’s rout made them the highest goal- looks worse than it actually was. If we hind to beat The Tavern 6-5. honestly loves Cambridge said: “The lads who are to come back like that late scorers in the division. had gone in at at half-time level, I think we Stuart Williams notched a hat-trick for Dudleston with United,” he said. coming in are all capable on. We were patchy, but we After a 13-1 home rout of Malvern Rang- would have gone on to win the game. But Matt Hudson bagging a brace and Lee Davies also on tar- “It’s very rare that you get of doing a job and I feel we came good in the end. ers, Wolverhampton Sporting Community we really lost discipline in the second-half get. Cian Curley and Jon Becket both scored twice for the a League One footballer that will be able to stand our “We have had a young Reserves were put to the sword 10-0 at the and it was a bit embarrassing. We have Tavern while Jo Kilvert grabbed the other goal. approaches us and tells us ground, we could cause side here since the turn of Showtime Security Stadium. to take it on the chin and the goals they There were default 3-0 wins for Cross Foxes over The that it’s his ambition to play an upset.” the year but it’s starting to Marian Jusko and Jake Pryce led the scored were easy ones.” Oak Inn and Malpas, Athletico Market against The Tavern for Cambridge United.” come together now.” and Lodge over Malpas.