Chromasport & Trophies United Counties League-Premier Division Round Up #4

Saturday 19th August 2017
With the F.A Cup again taking centre-stage, there were just four games played in the Premier Division of the Chromasport & Trophies United Counties League this weekend.
Rothwell Corinthians picked up their first points of the season as they returned home from Canal Street with a 2-0 win, leaving their hosts St Andrews still looking for their first win in their new league. A goal in each half, scored by Joey Wright and Callum Plowright, saw Corinthians home.
Sileby Rangers were beaten at home by Peterborough Northern Star, their third defeat already, while Star were claiming their first win. Aaron Hinds gave the Northampton side the lead after 25 mins, but sixty seconds later it was 1-1 as Jake Sansby bagged his first of the season. Connor Pilbeam added to his midweek goal with a brace on 52 & 69, before Lewis Leslie smashed home a thunderous free-kick a minute from time to reduce the deficit to just one goal. Sileby weren’t helped by playing the last twenty minutes with ten men after Bradley Marshall’s dismissal for two yellow cards. Ollie Reynolds also saved a penalty for Sileby.
Leicester Nirvana looked like having a better season and their 2-1 home win over Whitworth moves them up to second in the table. Jordan Nelson gave them the lead after 34 mins and Shaquille Master netted the winner four minutes from time.
Daventry Town are now third following their 4-2 win at bottom markers Sleaford Town. Craig Robinson gave the visitors the lead from the spot after 38 mins to give them the half-time lead. Kieran Fitzgerald doubled the advantage two minutes after the restart, but a thirty-yard effort from Tom Curtis went in off the post on 68 to bring the Greens back into it. Daventry wrapped the game up though with goals from Phil Cassidy (78) and Sam Jackson (89), to give them their second league win of the season after coming up as Division One Champions.

F.A Cup-Preliminary Round.
Cogenhoe United fought back from 2-0 down to draw level through Matt Long and Ryan Dove, but eventually went out 3-2 at higher grade Soham Town Rangers.
ON Chenecks visited Carters Park hoping to avenge the 3-0 defeat in their opening league game, but it got a lot worse as Holbeach United roared to a 6-1 win this time. Mitchell Griffiths (2), Lewis Leckie (40 pen, 44), Spencer Tinkler (65), Jordan Keeble (89) and Will Bird (90) all giving the home support plenty to cheer about. Chenecks goal came late on direct from a Calvin Budd free-kick, which had briefly pulled the score back to 4-1.
Deeping Rangers won away at Southern League Barton Rovers. Two goals in the last four minutes of the half through Scott Mooney and Luke Avis enough to secure a 2-1 win at Sharpenhoe Road. Boston are also through against higher opposition, seeing off visitor’s Carlton Town 3-2. Fraser Bayliss, Will Britton and an own goal seeing The Poachers through. Yaxley are the other UCL Prem side to definitely go through as they came out on top in an eight-goal match at Leading Drove against league rivals Harborough Town. Tom Waulmsley and Matt Sparrow both netted twice for The Cuckoos, with Phil Stebbing bagging the other. Ben Williams and Barnes Gladman netting the first two for The Bees. Three of our sides forced draws in their home ties against higher opposition. Eynesbury almost put out last season’s runaway UCL champions Peterborough Sports, but were pegged back by a last-minute equaliser from the penalty spot. It had looked like Rovers had pulled off a ‘giant-killing’ thanks to Dom Lawless who had netted his own spot-kick, but 1-1 it ended and they must try again in Peterborough on Tuesday night. Newport Pagnell Town came from 2-0 down at home to AFC Kempston Rovers and did well to draw 3-3. Tom Liversedge netted their first, with Harry Stratton bagging a couple in the six-goal thriller. Wisbech Town also have another bite at the cherry, but must travel to another former UCL club in Spalding United. The Fenmen had Adam Milson and Michael Frew on target, but the visitors held out for a 2-2 draw.
The other four Premier sides all bowed out of the competition. Wellingborough Town at least had a bumper payday, but AFC Rushden & Diamonds were comfortable 4-0 winners at the Dog & Duck, while Desborough Town only had Jason Turner’s penalty to show in a 3-1 defeat at Arlesey Town. Kirby Muxloe couldn’t keep their early form going, but a 0-2 reverse at home to Dunkirk is no disgrace, while Oadby Town were beaten by another Leicestershire side as Loughborough Dynamo made their experience count by winning 3-1 at Freeway Park. Josh Walsh on target for the Poachers.
The result of the weekend for the league came on Friday night though, as Division One side Potton United defied the odds to beat AFC Dunstable 2-0 at the Hollow. The visitors play two levels higher than The Royals, but goals from Joe Aris (35) and Courtney Boughton (82) were enough to secure a place in the next round. AFC Dunstable didn’t help themselves though with a straight red card for BJ Christie in the first half leaving them battling with just ten men for over half the match.
Paul Jackson.