Mallard Stun Nirankari To Take Title

Despite being hammered 7-1 by the same opponents in the cup a week earlier, Mallard turned it on to take Premier Division glory, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Mallard took the lead through Glen Lamacraft after superb build up play between Perry Phillips and Jim Bywater. Andy North then made a fantastic penalty save to preserve the lead at half-time. The lead was doubled when a corner from Andy Pilgrim was headed home by Craig Reynolds. Unity Nirankari pulled one back, but defensively Mallard were superb, and they held on to be crowned Premier Division champions.

Also winning a league title were SCS in Division Three. Breachwood Lions were put to the sword by a magnificent seven courtesy of Dean Chadderton (two), Leslie Chappell (two), Sam Bickerstaff (two) and Mkoati Hloaele.

The Division Two title wasn’t to be decided just yet, but there was a huge game as unbeaten Probuild Reserves hosted MBDA. No-one could’ve predicted the first-half outcome as MBDA tore their opponents apart. A superb move saw Craig Sutherill smash home the opener into the far corner before Gary Hodgson’s low strike from outside the box doubled the lead. Ashley Kersey then hooked home a third, all three courtesy of assists from captain Louis Hare. Probuild were back in it when Terry Pateman turned and fired home. Sam Harwood took Kersey’s sublime through-ball to round Stu Howard and stroke home before Kersey himself outrageously lobbed Howard from twenty-five yards to make it 5-1 at the break. The second-half was a lot closer and substitute Richard Hall headed home from a corner for the only goal. The remaining three games in the league will decide which of these two teams takes the title.

Dun Cow Reserves completed the league and cup double to take the Division One Cup at the Lamex Stadium. An excellent finish from Mark Phillips put them in front before Peter Brewster doubled the lead. Another from Phillips seemed to put them out of sight. However, he missed a handful of chances and Highview came back into it when, firstly Dave Morbin put away a penalty, then bobbled home a second. Former Cow player Nick Wellings almost grabbed an equaliser. Video Highlights can be found at www.thecoldend.blogspot.com

The Division Three Cup Final saw an exciting encounter in the second final at The Boro’ on the day. In the first fifteen minutes, Emperors Head were awarded a penalty, however Lewis Essam’s kick was saved by Paul Griffiths in the Chequers goal. They did lead shortly afterwards when a ball over the top saw Ben Collins lob the oncoming ‘keeper. Essam then made amends by tapping home from six yards before Gary Gibson got a goal back for Chequers before half-time. John Mikiel blew the chance of levelling the game when his penalty hit the post, but the scores were level when Anthony Koop slotted home a twenty-yard free-kick past ‘keeper Lee Grimsey with just twenty minutes remaining. Then a piece of real magic which defied Sunday League football. Emperors got a free-kick fully thirty-five yards from goal, up stepped Damian Hadlow to send the ball into the top corner. Collins then grabbed his second to put the game out of sight. Kevin Gay was introduced as a substitute, he received the ball in the box, controlled and half-volleyed home his one goal for the season, no better stage to do it. The game ended 5-2 and was a good advert for the third division.

The Premier Division saw a farcical game where a nine-man Dun Cow hammered an eight-man Probuild. However, the latter went down to six men with just five minutes left, forcing the game to be abandoned, a decision on the outcome and whether it means Cow finish as runners-up will have go to the committee. Gareth Scrivens gave Probuild the lead from the penalty-spot when he was brought down. However, Cow netted through Adam Furness (four), Callum Simpson (hat-trick), Dave Kiddie, Shaun Marshall, Ross Cummings, Lee Wilson, Wayne Simpson and a Scrivens own goal, who belted a goal-kick from his own ‘keeper back over his head.

Division Four was finalised as Coopers completed a 100 percent season against Marquis Rangers thanks to Adam Stevens and Gary Chambers.

Crooked Billet Boro beat Highwayman courtesy of a Marvin Miller brace, whilst Gordon Garrett replied.