SATURDAY FOOTBALL By Steve Green KERSHAW SENIOR DIVISION A ELY City Reserves look certain to claim the title after coming from behind to beat their nearest rivals 3-1. They began slowly in the match at Hundon and soon found themselves a goal down, but go

SATURDAY FOOTBALL

By Steve Green

KERSHAW SENIOR DIVISION A

ELY City Reserves look certain to claim the title after coming from behind to beat their nearest rivals 3-1.

They began slowly in the match at Hundon and soon found themselves a goal down, but goalkeeper Leigh Follen was otherwise in unbeatable form as the visitors gradually warmed to their task.

Liam Hart managed to level the scores before half-time. He then put City in front with a header before Gareth Arter made the points safe with a shot from 15 yards.

Hart and Arter were also on target in the midweek win against Soham Town Rangers Reserves, with Ely producing some of their best football of the season.

Hart helped himself to a brace, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Arter and Richard Dewsbury as City swept to a 4-0 success.

SENIOR DIVISION B

SOHAM United look doomed after twice finishing five goals adrift in home matches against sides near the top of the table.

They crashed 5-0 against Comberton United in midweek, and on Saturday suffered a 7-2 defeat against champions-elect Debden.

Soham have to rely on Swavesey Institute failing to win their final outing, but on present form that does not appear likely.

PREMIER DIVISION

LITTLEPORT Town's bid to finish in the top three floundered as they were beaten in their penultimate game by Histon A.

"How we lost I just don't know," said 'Port manager Dave Cullum after witnessing his side's 2-1 defeat. "They had three shots and scored twice - I just can't believe how many chances we squandered."

David Cullum Jnr brought the visitors back into contention after defensive lapses had gifted Histon two goals, but despite hitting the woodwork three times they couldn't manage to reduce the deficit.

In midweek, a Will Ludbrooke goal had been enough to secure all three points in the visit to Waterbeach.

A long ball from Dave Beeton put the home keeper in difficulty, and Ludbrooke was able to win possession before placing the ball into an empty net.

Fordham, meanwhile, produced a high tempo performance to see off Histon A in midweek, with Michael King nodding home his first goal for the club to make it 2-0 after Jose Monteiro had opened the scoring.

Sam James added a third for Fordham, and although the visitors responded with goals either side of the break, they never really looked like troubling the hosts.

DIVISION 1B

LITTLEPORT Town Reserves guaranteed themselves Kershaw League football next season after a resounding 6-1 win at March Town United Reserves.

As usual they shared the goals around, with Nathan Bennett, Luke Butcher, Clive Lee, Paul Starling and Mark Talbot accompanying substitute Luke Hammett on the visiting scoresheet.

'Port are still chasing the 1B title itself, but that still looks beyond reach despite their win against Great Paxton Reserves on Saturday.

Talbot again found the net in that match, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Jack Jordan as 'Port won by the odd goal in three.

DIVISION 2B

ELY City A continued their fine run with victories over Longstanton and Hemingfords United Reserves.

But are still likely to miss out on promotion because their goal difference is inferior to that of second-placed Wisbech St Mary.

Stuart Seekings and Michael Chow scored in the 2-0 midweek victory against title-chasing Longstanton, and Robert Parker was on target as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Hemingfords on Saturday.

Sutton United meanwhile beat Bluntisham Rangers Reserves by an aggregate of 17-2 in successive meetings, but they have unfortunately left it much too late.

Colin Coulson (3), Wayne Newman (2), Peter Wallace and Sean Bristow accounted for the goals in the 7-1 midweek win, and Coulson contributed another hat-trick as Sutton reached double figures on Saturday.

Newman and Bristow also found the net again, but the lion's share of the goals went to Matthew Keys, who helped himself to four. Craig Faux accounted for Sutton's other goal from the penalty spot.

Isleham United, meanwhile, lost 6-2 at Lode and then 4-2 at home to Longstanton, a result which confirmed the visitors as 2B champions.

Witchford '96 dropped off the promotion pace long ago, but nevertheless helped themselves to all three points at the expense of Lode on Saturday.

Brothers Ross Spencer (2), Aaron Spencer and Scott Spencer were amongst the scorers, and other goals went to Billy Bowers and Darren Rumfitt in a 6-0 win.

DIVISION 3B

THE Vine are the new favourites to claim the 3B title after hitting form last week against Dullingham and local rivals Pymoor.

Dan Cowley (2), Kinder Mann, Grant Spencer and Dave Martin claimed the goals in a 5-1 midweek over Dullingham, but the team gave the man-of-the-match award to goalkeeper James Nuttall, who saved a penalty before he was beaten.

On Saturday, they trailed 2-0 and 3-2 against Pymoor, but four second-half goals saw them through to a 6-3 success.

Mann, Cowley and Jez Cutter kept them in contention at 3-3, and Spencer put them ahead for the first time before Dave Martin wrapped up the points with a double, including a penalty.

Pymoor also lost 2-1 at Lakenheath Reserves in midweek and, having led the table for some time, they could now find themselves outside the promotion frame.

Little Downham Swifts Reserves look safe from relegation following their 3-1 home defeat by Somersham Town Reserves with a 1-1 draw against St Ives Town A, but the slump of Soham United Reserves continued with a 9-1 loss at Somersham.

Fordham Reserves entertained in-form Lakenheath Reserves, and went down by the odd goal in 11 despite a hat-trick from Ian Butterworth.

Leading scorer Butterworth, who played in the centre of defence and included a penalty in his trio, was joined on the scoresheet by Scott Day (2), but Fordham never led and were undone by Joel Ashby's four-goal haul.

DIVISION 4B

MEPAL Sports have virtually secured the 4B title despite only drawing 2-2 with Earith United, on Saturday.

They led 2-0 with goals from Matt Johannessen and super-sub Luke Wilson, but the team were pegged back by a well-drilled Earith side.

In midweek, a Darren Murfitt double had been enough to secure three points at the expense of Sutton United Reserves.

Richard Martin and Melvyn Cornwell (penalty) twice reduced the deficit to a single goal for Sutton, but Murfitt's brace clinched a 3-2 win after a 15th-minute opener from Johannessen.

Haddenham Rovers Reserves lost for the first time in 14 matches, at home to Exning Athletic.

Philip Harle was on target in a 3-2 defeat, but he had also been among the goals when Haddenham won 4-3 at Willingham Reserves in midweek.

On that occasion he was joined on the scoresheet by John Lee and Jamie Thompson.

Ely Crusaders blew their promotion hopes with a shock 3-2 home reverse against Swavesey Institute Reserves. Burwell Swifts also went down by the odd goal, losing 2-1 at Willingham Reserves.

DIVISION 5B

THE Vine Reserves were among the goals in successive wins at the expense of Little Downham Swifts Reserves and Walsoken United.

Ashley Dougan (2), Lee Jaggard (2), Craig Finbow (2), Pierce Mason, Sam Morgan and Mark Finbow outscored Gareth Draper (2) in the midweek 9-2 win over Little Downham, and on Saturday it was Justin Challis who helped himself to both goals in the 2-1 win over Walsoken.

Wicken Amateurs also beat Downham with goals from Jamie Beeton, Josh Woodroffe and two fine efforts from Neil Masters in a 4-1 win, and Littleport Town A likewise had three goals to spare at Longstanton Reserves.

They won 5-2 and shared the goals between Andy Blackman, Scott Dews, Jamie Doswell, Robert Scotney and substitute Colin Holding.

Burwell Swifts Reserves held leaders Outwell Swifts Reserves 1-1 on Saturday, but went down 3-2 at Cottenham United B in midweek.