Tuesday 25th September 2018
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE KITMANUK KNOCK-OUT CUP-FIRST ROUND
It was a bad day for the Division One sides with only Thrapston Town progressing and they were playing division mates and neighbours Raunds Town. The struggling visitors took the lead but Thrapston were level thanks to Dodzi Agbenu’s goal on 35 minutes. That finished the scoring though so it was straight to penalties with Thrapston clinching it 7-6.
Daventry Town were comfortable 3-0 winners over Desborough Town as Luke Emery (12), Adam Creaney (51 pen) and Adam Moussi (83) put Ar Tarn out of the cup.
Leicester Nirvana had already beaten Rugby Town in the league this season and they have now won 2-1 at Butlin Road in the league cup to boot. Jordan Smith gave the visitors the lead, but Danico Johnson levelled for Rugby on the stroke of half-time. Nirvana are becoming something of a bogey-side for The Valley and Conor Brown-Wingfield struck what proved to the winner for the visitors in the second half.
Poor old Bourne Town let in double figures on Saturday, so a home tie with Premier Division high-flyers Pinchbeck United wasn’t the game they needed and they ended up losing 0-7 at Abbey Lawn. Player-boss Ian Dunn started the ball rolling after just five minutes, although they then had to wait until five minutes before break for Oli Maltby to make it two. The second half was a one-way show with Lee Beeson getting himself a hat-trick (49, 82 & 88 pen) and Josh Smith getting a brace (75 & 90).
Kirby Muxloe edged past Lutterworth Town 2-1 with Kade Lewis netting the Swifts goal.
Boston Town looked to be on the way out as they trailed to a Jake Sansby goal scored a minute before the break, but up popped Harrison Holland five minutes past the ninety to take the tie to penalties. The Poachers made the most of their late reprieve to go through 5-3 in the shoot-out.
Whitworth have finally won a game as they beat Sileby Rangers 1-0 at London Road. Both sides were much changed through injury and unavailability and the Northampton side did themselves no favours by having Tobi Looker red-carded. The Flourmen took full advantage to win the game with a well-taken late goal from Dean Hall.
The local derby at Alfred Street saw Irchester United go down 1-3 to Wellingborough Town. Gary Petts will be pleased with his as his two new signings as both netted debut goals. Shaun Wilkes starting the ball rolling on 40 minutes and James Lea rounded the evening off with The Doughboys third and killer goal after 88. Jeremiah Adams scored in between those two, while in-form Nathan Heycock briefly pulled the scores back to 1-2 for The Romans.
Rushden & Higham United took the lead at Eynesbury Rovers through Jory Mann, but Rob Ducket equalised on 51 minutes and the Premier Division side eventually went through 4-3 on penalties.
Rothwell Corinthians equalised late on to earn a 2-2 draw at Division One opponents Birstall United and then went on to win 5-4 on pens.
Oadby Town did similar at Anstey Nomads with Tom Mangan getting their second in a 2-2 draw in stoppage time. Mason Brown put the visitors in front with 25 minutes played, but Anstey hit back to take the lead through Liam Canavan (38) and Ashley Day (58 pen). The Poachers kept their heads in the shoot-out though and went through 5-4.
LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND F.A SENIOR CUP-FIRST ROUND
Two first half goals from Kadeem Price put Melton Town in charge at Ellistown, although the home side did get one back through Ben Saunders nine minutes from time.
Lutterworth Athletic were also 2-1 winners as they beat Oakham United at Hall Park. Dom Ivens gave them a third minute lead from a Barnes Gladman cross and then Gladman headed home a Ryan Coyle corner to make it two-nil on 45. Ben Eason reduced the arrears after the break but it was the UCL side who went through against their former league rivals.
Peterborough & District league side Ketton gave Aylestone Park a real scare in their visit to the city and lead 3-2 with ten minutes left, but the UCL finished strongly to win 5-3. Toby Warner put Park ahead after 11 minutes but Ketton hit back through Dominic Jones and Joe Hussey to take the lead. Kenan Muganda brought the home side level again, but Mackenzie Byrne swung the tie back Ketton’s way before the three-goal finale saw Aylestone through as Leon Doughty (80), Jake Wormleighton (87) and Tawanda Magondoza (90+2) all found the back of the net.
It was a dark day for Holwell Sports as they crashed out 3-4 at home to neighbours Asfordy who are languishing near the bottom of the Leicestershire Senior League and this prompted manager Andy Gray to tender his resignation at the end of the game. Michael Stevenson (14), Ross McGarry (70) and Jack Baker (80) were all on target for Holwell, but Asfordby won the day thanks to a double from Gary Sheen and one each from Leighton Nicholson and Junior Gaskin.
Wednesday 26th September 2018
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE KITMANUK KNOCK-OUT CUP-FIRST ROUND
Holbeach United had Josh Ford sent-off after 26 minutes but still managed a 1-0 win at Sleaford Town. Billy Smith nodded in the games only goal on 35 minutes after Jack Smith had hit the post and secure a passage to the second round in a tight game at Eslaforde Park.
Huntingdon Town had a tough ask at home to Deeping Rangers and the Premier side cruised home 5-0. Scott Mooney got the first after just three minutes as he tapped in after Danny Durkin had set him up, then Durkin added the second himself when his shot took a deflection on the way in on 26. Mooney got his second late in the first half and the task got even tougher for the home side after they had a player sent-off. Cameron Johnson scored the fourth with a solo effort ten minutes from time and scored his second with a curling shot four minutes later.
BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR CUP-FIRST ROUND
It will be a long-haul home from Chesham for Newport Pagnell Town after Aylesbury United thumped them 5-0 in the county cup. Max Hercules set up Horatio Hirst for the first goal on three minutes, but it wasn’t until the second half that the Southern League side turned the screw. Aaron Berry made it two on 49 and the creator of that goal Callum Mapley followed up after his header had been blocked on the line to add a third on 58. Berry cut inside and beat Mark Osborn from outside the box for the fourth on 66 and then completed his hat-trick four minutes later, although his shot on the turn did take a deflection on the way in.
