Local football round-up

by Gareth Draper

Kershaw Premier League

LITTLEPORT Town’s fabulous unbeaten start to the season is beginning to make a mark on this section as their latest victory, 2-0 at home to Somersham Town, catapulted them up into third position in the league.

They raced into a two-goal lead in the first half with goals from former Ely City, Mildenhall Town and Pymoor player Steve Tuck after 25 minutes, and man in form Michael Ward, who struck for the seventh time this season after 35 minutes.

Ely City Reserves up and down season continued as they secured a fantastic result at Great Shelford, emerging victors by the odd goal in seven. Giles Peacock volleyed home to open the scoring but this was soon cancelled out by the home team. City hit back through Zac Knight-Percival but Shelford drew level again. Dean Salmons and Peacock notched again to seemingly make the game safe but Shelford netted with five minutes remaining to make the finish incredibly edgy but Ely held on to take the points.

Senior A

SOHAM Town Rangers Reserves recent dip in form showed no signs of ceasing as they succumbed 3-2 at Castle Camps.

Thomas Christie had a memorable day as he scored for Town and then saw two yellows to send him for an early bath. Mark Allen was the other Rangers scorer. Joining Christie in seeing red was Brett Fuller who also had to go after two bookable offences.

Perennial strugglers and bottom-placed Fordham also suffered a defeat, this time 1-0 at home to Needingworth United. Fordham put on a much better performance than in recent times even though they fielded six under 17 players.

Junior Challenge Cup

THE Vine recorded their first win of the season with a resounding 7-0 victory over Leverington Sports Reserves.

Dan Cowley opened the scoring with two superb curling efforts and Simon Law was unlucky to have a goal chalked off for a dubious offside decision. Cowley completed his hattrick in the second half and then turned provider, picking out James Smith at the back post for a neat finish.

Jon Cutter rounded the keeper to slot in a fifth, before Jez Cutter completed a flowing move to get in on the goal action. A solid defensive performance from centre-backs David Martin and Joe Barham denied any threat from Leverington, and on the few occasions they got through, goalkeeper Pete Pollock pulled off some excellent saves. Jon Cutter scored his second with a low drive to complete the scoring for The Vine.

Littleport Town Reserves did not have as good an afternoon in the same competition as they lost out 3-1 to a strong Dullingham outfit. Jonathan Kelly was the scorer as a below strength Port crashed out.

Witchford ’96 also went the way of Littleport as they went down 4-2 against Over Sports Reserves.

‘96 took the lead through an Ollie Swan-Taylor header for his first of the season, but Over hit back three times to go 3-1 up. Witchford battered away at Over’s defences and they finally capitulated as goal-happy Ross Spencer made it 3-2 to give them real hope. Sports dashed these hopes though with a final goal in injury time.

Div 1B

HADDENHAM Rovers had a great 4-2 win at home to Hemingfords United Reserves.

Phil Cowlan opened the scoring for Rovers after 25 minutes and this was added to by ace marksman Will Ludbrooke to take Rovers to 2-0 at half-time.

Ludbrooke hit his second after a great cross from Kieran Granger to make it three but then United started a comeback. They pegged Rovers back to 3-2 before Granger made sure of all three points for Haddenham with a 25-yard rocket.

Div 2B

THE Vine showed great determination to beat Over Sports despite a recent spate of injuries to hit the squad.

After conceding an early goal, the visitors responded well with Kinder Mann in fine form, setting up James Nuttall for his first goal of the season. Over took the lead for a second time against the run of play, and when Dan Mitchell crashed his penalty against the bar it looked like being one of those days for the Vine.

Mann had other ideas and drew the scores level again with a superb solo effort. The Vine dominated the last 15 minutes and their determination paid off when Jez Cutter and Dan Cowley combined well, setting up Jon Cutter who slotted home a last gasp winner.

Sutton United grabbed a well-earned point at home to Doddington United as they found themselves 2-0 down at half-time to the visitors. Sub Wayne Newman made the difference for United in the second half, though, as he blasted a double to make the final score 2-2.

Div 3B

STRETHAM Hotspurs followed up their remarkable win against league leaders Exning with an identical 5-2 victory at home to Hemingford United A that takes them up to sixth place in the section.

Mepal Sports won out in the local derby at home to Ely Crusaders 1-0 as Chris Sylvain finished from a David Fisher centre. Little Downham called in all their player reserves to entertain Tydd United at home but to no avail as they were thumped 7-3. Calum Havis, Stuart Bartlett and Jamie Dews were on target for Swifts on another fruitless afternoon for this up and down outfit.

Fordham Reserves travelled to near neighbours Isleham United and put up a good fight but ultimately left with no points to show for their efforts as they lost 2-0. Isleham scored just before half-time even though Fordham had created some chances to no avail. United scored again with 15 minutes remaining but Fordham can take heart from a better performance.

Div 4B

WICKEN the Amateurs got the result of the day for the local sides in this section, as they went to Murrow Bell and came away with a 4-2 victory. This moves Wicken up to sixth place in as they recorded their third straight league win in a row.

Soham United Reserves lost 2-0 on a torrid afternoon at home to high-flying Bar Hill Sports and Social and Haddenham Rovers Reserves were humbled 7-3 at Chatteris Town A. Rovers had depleted resources but still made the scoresheet through in-form Darren Easey (2) and Andrew Wright.

Div 5C

WITCHFORD ’96 Reserves won at home to Sutton United Reserves by 3-1 in the section’s local derby with only a Will Lines goal to show for the visitors.

Sam Ashman, Matt Monteith and sub Chris O’Connor notched for Witchford. Little Downham Reserves could not cope with first team call-ups as they failed to raise a team for their aborted trip away to Waterbeach A.

Div 5D

MEPAL Sports Reserves lost again for the second week in succession as they went down 4-1 to leaders Berwick Athletic. Justin Challis’ 70th minute strike was the only highlight for Sports.

Senior B

THIRD from bottom in this division, Ely City A started the game very well at home to league leaders Longstanton by playing some good passing football and by pressing the opposition. The Robins’ third string went ahead with a fine Ian Walters goal after an excellent pass from Luke Hammett. Soon afterwards City scored a second after good pressure from Robert Parker resulted with the same player scoring from a tight angle. Ely, however, got caught out just before half time with a long ball leaving them 2-1 up at the break.

City got off to a laboured start in the second half and Longstanton punished them with long balls ending up with an equalizer. They were soon 3-2 down as the going got tougher, only for a magnificent free kick from Ritchie Murfitt to level matters at 3-3. Longstanton were not to be denied though and they scored the winner with ten minutes remaining to run out winners in this exciting match by four goals to two.