Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy – Round Two
AFC Harpers 5 -1 Heighington FC
Both sides came into this game after indifferent starts to their respective league campaigns. Heighington were looking to build upon their impressive victory over Waddington two weeks earlier but with no less than 8 of their first team players missing from that game it was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors. Indeed, such was the threadbare nature of Heighington’s team that they travelled with no recognised goalkeeper in the squad; Club Secretary Stevie Smith donned the gloves as he prayed for a solid defensive display in front of him.
Two first half goals from the hosts saw the teams head in at the interval with the score at 2-0, although top scorer Greg Brown was looking dangerous for Heighington who were very much still in the game.
Midway through the second half came the decisive moment, a stonewall penalty awarded to Harpers for a trip in the area when the striker was 1 on 1. The penalty taker kept his cool following a lengthy delay and sent the keeper the wrong way for 3-0. It was then 4-0 with a header from a corner before the visitors pulled one back, Craig Good finishing neatly from a narrow angle. The last kick of the game made it 5-1 to the hosts, an accurate effort from distance finding the top corner as the visitors back four were visibly tiring.
Manager Stu Cook will be hoping for better player availability for Heighington’s trip to face Plough Sturton next week while Harpers will no doubt be hoping to carry their good form into an equally tough looking fixture away at Cherry Willingham.
Ruston Sports FC 3-2 The Sports Bar (After extra time)
The game began with both teams battling hard but with neither side really creating a great deal, but it was the home side who nearly opened the scoring when a looping header was cleared off the Sports Bar line by a fine save by their keeper. Sports Bar then responded with a quick counter attack that rattled the post with these two chances being the pick of the first half.
Ruston’s went down the slope in the second half and the introduction of Captain Jamie Green from the bench sparked them into life with Green finding Timmie Mann who jinxed past a couple of men before slotting home to open the scoring. As the game progressed both sides were defending well with few chances coming at either end, but the game was levelled when a clearance to the edge of the box was brought down and volleyed in with a plomb from the Sports Bar striker who had just come on.
Both teams were looking a little leggy on a heavy pitch but Green again found Mann in the area and the Ruston’s winger smashed home his second for his side to regain the lead with just ten minutes to go. As the game came to its close Sports Bar threw everything forward and they gained a free kick on the edge of the area as the game went into stoppage time. Sports Bar Captain Aaron Bee’s low free kick wasn’t dealt with and Callum Ranyard turned home after a couple of ricochets to send the game into extra time.
With both teams tired there were very few chances created during the extra time period, but there proved to be late drama with five minutes to go when Sam Joyce spotted the Sports Bar keeper off his line and delivered and inch perfect lob from the right wing to send the home side through to the quarter finals.
The Rustons Sports man of the match on the day was Timmie Mann who was excellent throughout.
Division One
Old Boys United 1-1 Welton Sports AFC
Old Boys hosted Welton in this Division One fixture and both sides had to settle for a point as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The home side handled the first half pressure from Welton and they were in front when Chris Edwards hit an absolute screamer in the second half which was unfortunately, for the hosts, cancelled out moments later by the visitors.
Division Two
Shakespeare Athletic 5 Waddington United 7
Waddington United came away from Shakespeare Athletic with all three points but it looked as if they would be at the wrong end of an absolute thumping as they found themselves 0-5 down after just 35 minutes. Luke Smith managed to pull one back before the break before the words of Jason Brothwell inspired an incredible second half come back.
Waddington made it 2-5 through Rikki Peterson, with his second attempt, after his first was blocked and Will Brothwell narrowed the arrears to just two soon after. A stunning free kick from 35 yards out by Sam Dawson put Waddington just one behind before a Ross Dalton header levelled the scores at 5-5.
Jason Brothwell made sure he didn’t miss out as he came off the bench to complete the comeback with two late goals to make it 7-5 in a second half Waddington totally dominated.
With the last three games involving Waddington producing 28 goals, they certainly give the watching fans value for money!!!
Ian Stephenson