NEWSLETTER NO. 197 FEBRUARY 2006 PAGE 1
Robins promote from within as Maison joins Poppies
Long serving Buckingham manager Morell Maison has left Ford Meadow to take the reins at Conference North club Kettering Town. Maison had taken charge at Buckingham in March 2000 and after saving the club from what seemed an inevitable relegation he turned the club into a force in the Eagle Bitter UCL, finishing Premier Division runners-up in 2004 and also reaching the finals of both the League Knockout Cup and Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy.
Maison replaces the axed Kevin Wilson in the Poppies hot seat and he quickly returned to Ford Meadow to make winger Moses Olaleye his first signing for an undisclosed fee.
Buckingham moved quickly to fill the managerial vacancy internally, handing widely travelled coach Lee Howey his first managerial job. 36 year old Howey played professionally for Sunderland, Ipswich, Burnley and Northampton before injury halted his top level playing days. He coached at the Cobblers, Forest Green and Nuneaton before spells at Bedford Town, Aylesbury and Kettering as assistant manager.
Last season Howey had a brief spell as player coach at Long Buckby before joining the Robins during the summer.
Experienced defender Stuart Blaik has been appointed as Buckingham’s assistant manager.
Defender Lee Grant has left the Robins to take up a soccer scholarship in the USA, but goalkeeper Will Gourlay has reclaimed his place between the posts after recovering from injury. Former Arsenal star Christopher Wreh has also rejoined the Robins after serving a lengthy suspension for a sending off last season.
Local football mourns Derek Inskip
Local football suffered a sad loss on 16th January when former Potton United secretary Derek Inskip passed away a day before his 76th birthday.
Derek completed 50 years as the Royals’ secretary last summer before relinquishing the post. He had initially joined his home town club as a goalkeeper before taking on administrative duties at The Hollow. Derek’s enormous contribution to Potton United was recognised in September 2004 when the club named their new stand after him.
Derek had also served on the Eagle Bitter UCL management committee since 1989 and was on the committees of the North Beds Charity Cup and Biggleswade Knockout Cup.
Spencer injury list shortens
Northampton Spencer’s honours prospects have been boosted by the return to action of their prolific strike duo. Scott Coleman, who recently completed a century of goals in Millers colours, is back from injury while Darren Frost has shrugged off illness to regain his place in the side. Dan Chilton is also back after a spell of unavailability. There is also good news regarding two long term casualties with Jamie Moss out of traction and Steve Jelley back in light training.
Defender Josh Urquhart has reached a milestone with his 100th appearance for Spencer.
Change at the Cogenhoe reserve helm
Cogenhoe have parted company with reserve team boss Charlie Fleming, who joined them from Ford Sports in the summer. The second string will be managed for the remainder of the season by Jim Wilkinson, the one time UCL Referee of the Year who has been working with Glenn Burdett with the highly successful Cooks under 18 side which performed so well on the national stage this season.
The move is expected to see the club’s youngsters given greater opportunities in senior football while the second string currently features long term injury victims Nick Hodges and Scott Goodacre
Green cuts back on Harrowby duties
Harrowby co-manager Geoff Green has relinquished managerial duties with the Arrows for personal reasons, and will now concentrate on his duties as the club’s football secretary.
The Arrows look set to finish at the foot of the table but they doubled their wins account for the season on 28th January with a 3-2 success at Ford Sports. Manager Jason Harrison came off the bench to give the Lincolnshire side the points after earlier goals from Alex Bougatef and Darryl Chappell.
Wootton lose in form marksman
Wootton have lost the services of in form marksman Chris Johnson. The speedy wide man scored eleven goals in a spell five league matches for Blue Cross in December and January, including hat tricks against Long Buckby, Raunds and Holbeach, form which won him the January Goalscorer of the Month award.
Johnson’s form also caught the eye of Southern League Leighton, and he has now opted to try his luck at a higher level.
New faces in the Wootton squad are St Neots midfielder Callum Brown and Asa Mead from local football.
Woodford look forward to ground inspection
Woodford’s application for promotion to step four of the non league pyramid will come under scrutiny on 23rd February when they will be the subject of a visit by the FA’s ground inspection team. Work behind the scenes is ongoing on improvements to the Byfield Road facilities.
The playing staff are doing their bit – since losing to St Neots on the first Saturday of 2006 the Reds have responded with seven successive wins with keeper Matt Finlay keeping clean sheets in six of those victories. Woodford have also been boosted by the return to fitness of striker Nicky Gordon who has lost the top scorer mantle to Russ Dunkley during his enforced absence. Dunkley scored four times against St Ives in a 6-0 Woodford win on 11th February as they avenged an opening day reverse at Westwood Road.
Desborough rebuilding continues
Desborough continue to rebuild their squad and there are signs that the changes are paying off as Ar Tarn have moved out of the relegation zone in recent weeks.
Manager Steve Noble has added two more Kettering Town youngsters to his squad. Goalkeeper Craig Patterson has been playing for Thrapston this term while Leicester based Joe Cooper has also arrived from Rockingham Road. Other new faces are ex-Corby wide man Brian Hardie, a former Boston United player, and front runner Jamie O’Neill who has been on Leicester City’s books and was more recently with Corby.
Bucks halt losing run
Long Buckby have given themselves a glimmer of hope in their relegation battle after ending their eleven game losing sequence with a 1-0 victory at Holbeach on 11th February. Star man Darren Harmon scored the Carters Park winner in his second match back following suspension, but he faces another spell on the sidelines after being ordered off in his first match back against Potton.
Recent events have been overshadowed by the death of former Buckby player Pat Roache. The 22 year old father of one had made a handful of appearances in Bucks colours in the last two seasons and played in some pre season fixtures before suffering a knee injury. He had recently been playing for Broadmead Saints in the Northampton Town League. Roache died in a stabbing incident in Northampton on 28th January.
Rowan strengthens Poachers strikeforce
Boston Town manager Bob Don-Duncan has claimed a coup with the addition of former Grimsby Town striker Johnny Rowan to his squad. The former Mariner, who scored eight goals in 59 Grimsby appearances, spent last season with Kettering and has been with Conference North outfit Gainsborough this term.
With Micky Nuttell back in training along with old stager Dave Scotney, who is due to receive an award for scoring 300 goals in Eagle Bitter UCL football on 18th February, striking options are plentiful at Tattershall Road.
Boston also have Nathan Collins back from suspension and Ben Harris fit again after a long term groin problem, but Leigh Taylor’s season has come to an early end with medial ligament damage while sciatica has sidelined Kris Jones.
Holbeach looking ahead
Holbeach manager Shaun Keeble has been giving younger players their chance in recent weeks as he looks forward to next season.
Adam Jackson and reserve product Wayne Congreve have forced their way into the senior squad with Jamie Robinson, signed from the Kings Lynn second string, another to have been introduced to the squad. Keeble has also moved to sign former Premier Division top scorer Ian Dunn, who has been playing in the Ridgeons League for Wisbech.
Stotfold add experienced pair
Stotfold have added two experienced players from higher grade football to their squad in recent weeks. Centre back Dean McElroy arrives from Bedford Town where he has found first team chances limited this season while John De Souza has joined the Eagles from Aylesbury. Stotfold have lost striker Richard Pringle to the Ducks though.
Jermaine Daley and Ryan Frater have both returned to action after completing suspensions but James Potter is about to start a lengthy ban.
Daventry set to fold
The future looks bleak for Daventry Town who look set to call time on their 100 plus year existence at the end of the current campaign. The club has submitted its resignation to the UCL after 17 years of membership which saw them enjoy a roller coaster ride with three Division One championships, two promotions and relegations, a Knockout Cup final and a ground move! Town have no plans to operate at a lower level.
Their problems stem from the September fire which destroyed the Elderstubbs clubhouse and damaged beyond repair the club’s ability to finance UCL football. Local rivals Ford Sports and Long Buckby rallied round and offered the use of their facilities while Saturday afternoon matches have been played on the nearby Staverton Park sports complex.
Daventry returned to Elderstubbs for the visit of Wellingborough on 21st January, but with delays in resolving the club’s insurance settlement, club members have had to fund the club’s running costs personally.
The uncertainty over the club’s future has prompted Town officials to bring the club’s proud history to an end at the conclusion of the current season.
Le Masurier becomes the league’s youngest boss
Following the resignation of Mark Desborough, the summer appointment to the Higham hot seat, the Lankies have handed 22 year old Jim Le Masurier the managerial reins at Vine Hill Drive as they bid to turn around their fortunes.
Le Masurier has previously seen service with Kettering, Corby Town and Rothwell Town and spent the first half of the current season with Cogenhoe. He is assisted at the Higham helm by former Cooks team mate Brian Page. The ex-Scunthorpe player was captain at Compton Park before several lengthy absences through injury, and he also had a spell coaching in the United States.
The new management team have brought in a number of new faces. Defenders Martin Mitchell and Gavin Fitzgerald have both made the move from top flight Raunds while other newcomers are Irchester pair Lee Layton and Mark Wilson.
Paul Clark is currently an absentee with hamstring trouble while Loknath Tamang suffered a broken ankle ten minutes into his senior debut against Bugbrooke on 11th February.
Another bumper gate for second Wellingborough derby
The second Wellingborough derby on 11th February failed to attract a crowd to match the 1,150 spectators at Whitworths on Christmas Eve, but the 650 present made it a record for Wellingborough Town 2004. After three successive draws the Doughboys rose to the occasion to beat their neighbours 2-0 with second half goals from Daniel Thompson and Callum Ridgway.
The bumper gate took the Doughboys’ total home attendances for Division One football past the 4,000 mark.
Huntingdon welcome Italian semi-pro side
Huntingdon’s links with Cambridge United have proved fruitful this season and there was more prestige for Town when Jubilee Park was chosen as a training base for the Italian semi-pro international squad as they prepared for their non-league international with England at the Abbey Stadium on 15th February.
The match was part of the European Challenge Trophy tournament which also features Holland and Belgium. The Italians lost 3-1 to England and now look out of contention for the title.
Leeson set to step down at season’s end
AFC Kempston co-manager John Leeson is stepping down from the Walnut Boys’ helm at the end of the current campaign, although he plans to remain with the club in some capacity. Leeson stepped up from reserve boss to join Clive Black in the Kempston management team at the end of last season following the departure of Bob Reed and John Dower, and the new look partnership has worked well with Rovers enjoying their best season in years and winning the November Manager of the Month award.
Young Kempston goalkeeper Luke Bliss has caught the eye of Northampton Town and has been invited for trials with the Cobblers.
Former Walnut Boys secretary Alan Scott has also moved into the pro ranks after being appointed acting secretary of Rushden & Diamonds!
Injury setbacks for the Flourmen
Whitworths enter the final phase of the season with a shout of honours in both divisions, but a series of injuries to key players has weakened their prospects of success.
In the senior side the match against Olney on 4th February brought a ‘double whammy’ with two regulars out long term through injury. Prolific marksman Ben Holley damaged knee ligaments against the Nurserymen and is likely to be missing for the rest of the season. Defender Neil Chance faces two months out of action with ankle ligament damage.
Reserve teamer Damien Browne has damaged both knee and ankle ligaments and he faces eight months out of action.
A recent addition to the Whitworths squad is striker Rob Foster, top scorer with neighbours Wellingborough, but out of favour at the Dog & Duck in recent weeks.
Blisworth snap up marksman
Exciting young striker Ashley Bradshaw has joined Blisworth after some free scoring in the Cogenhoe reserve side this term. He made a goalscoring debut at Burton Park on 28th January but was upstaged by brother Jason who netted the other three goals in the Railwaymen’s 4-0 success!
Another youngster, Sam Scarman, is back in the Blisworth line up after recovering from a twisted ankle.
Transfer trail
Activity in the transfer market has been brisk in the last month as clubs strengthen their squads for promotion bids and relegation battles.
The latest batch of players on the move is as follows:-
140. Dan Cockerton Northampton ON Chenecks to Long Buckby 141. Ryan Suter Northampton Sileby Rangers to Ford Sports Daventry 142. Robbie Bushell Long Buckby to Northampton Spencer 143. Jim Le Masurier Cogenhoe United to Higham Town 144. Ben Foster Ford Sports Daventry to Raunds Town 145. Liban Ali Abdi Newport Pagnell Town to Buckingham Town 146. Craig Patterson Thrapston Town to Desborough Town 147. Tyrone Kent Ford Sports Daventry to Northampton Sileby Rangers 148. Duncan McNish Thrapston Town to Stewarts & Lloyds Corby 149. Rob Foster Wellingborough Town 2004 to Whitworths 150. Ashley Bradshaw Cogenhoe United to Blisworth 151. Lee Layton Irchester United to Higham Town 152. Mark Wilson Irchester United to Higham Town 153. Martin Mitchell Raunds Town to Higham Town 154. Simon Rielly Desborough Town to Burton Park Wanderers 155. Ian Dunn Yaxley to Holbeach United 156. Richard Tate Rothwell Town to Wellingborough Town 2004 157. Chris Bull Holbeach United to Bourne Town 158. Gavin Fitzgerald Raunds Town to Higham Town 159. Tom Cosentino Ford Sports Daventry to Daventry Town 160. Callum Brown St Neots Town to Wootton Blue Cross 161. Pete Brothwell Blackstones to Harrowby United 162. Matt Phillips Sleaford Town to Harrowby United 163. John De Souza Buckingham Town to Stotfold 164. Jamie Langley Bugbrooke St Michaels to Cogenhoe United 165. Chris Jones Raunds Town to Wellingborough Town 2004 166. Darren Bogan Desborough Town to Bourne Town 167. Rhys Coleman Cogenhoe United to Northampton ON Chenecks 168. Rashid Koriya Raunds Town to Northampton Spencer 169. Jamie Wright Cogenhoe United to Rothwell Town
Sandy and Landin kick off the year with awards
The first managerial awards of 2006 have been won by Adam Sandy of Cogenhoe in the Premier Division and Mel Landin of Peterborough Northern Star in Division One.
Cogenhoe rekindled their prospects of retaining the Premier Division championship with a ten point haul from four league matches in January and cup success remains very much on the cards after they reached the last eight of the Knockout Cup with a 10-0 win over Daventry.
League success remains beyond Star but they did collect maximum points from four January matches in Division One, moving three places up the table during the month. In addition they beat former winners Sileby in the Northants Junior Cup quarter finals to maintain their grip on the trophy.
Johnson the top January marksman
The first Goalscorer of the Month award for 2006 was won by Wootton wide man Chris Johnson who embarked on a spectacular scoring burst to take the prize. Johnson kicked off the month on 7th January with a hat trick in Wootton’s 4-2 win over Raunds and followed up with three more at Holbeach in a 4-0 win seven days later. He ‘only’ managed two in a 3-0 success at Stewarts & Lloyds on the 21st before going on holiday with a tally of eight goals from three games.
Yaxley’s Mark Paul matched Johnson’s tally after a five goal haul against Harrowby at the end of the month, but played in one match more during January.
Earl the January top stopper
Cogenhoe goalkeeper Pete Earl was the new year’s first winner of the Hereward Sports sponsored Goalkeeper of the Month award. Earl missed two of the Cooks’ games during January but played three times, enough to qualify for the award. The Cogenhoe keeper shut out opposition attacks on all three of his appearances with clean sheets against St Neots at Compton Park and at Long Buckby and Raunds.
Snippets
Former assistant manager Steve Joseph has rejoined the back room team at Bourne after a brief spell with Harrowby. The Wakes have Graeme Hodgson back from suspension arising with his previous club Desborough, but have lost the services of front runner James Baxter to a five week ban….Deeping have re-signed Grimsby based front runner Bobby Lewsam and have long term injury victims Matt Porter, Scott Woods and Carl Griffiths back in action….Newport Pagnell have Richard Armstrong available after suspension but midfield duo Tom Hill and Pete Rowe will be out for the season with long term injuries….Raunds have recruited Ford Sports striker Ben Foster and have target man Richard Tanner back in training after a dislocated shoulder, but wide man Carl Tallents is out for the duration of the current campaign….St Ives duo Glyn Cooke and Will Fordham are available for selection after completing suspensions while Dan Newman is back after a spell on the injured list….St Neots have snapped up Potton striker Ben Smith but have midfielder Simon Claridge on the injured list again after a brief comeback….Yaxley have long term casualties Jody Vincent and Chris Gospel back playing while Andy Chapman has now undergone a cruciate operation and should be able to resume playing in pre season….ON Chenecks striker Jamie Nuttall has recently returned to action after suffering a broken leg earlier in the season….Rothwell Corinthians will be without the services of Lee Martin for the remainder of the campaign after the defender suffered a broken leg against Bugbrooke….A cartilage injury will force wide man Paul Reece to sit out the remainder of Sleaford’s bid for the Division One title….Work on Thrapston’s new dressing rooms and floodlights is scheduled to start in May.
Needingworth apply
Cambridgeshire League club Needingworth United have applied for Eagle Bitter UCL membership for the 2006-07 season. The club, which is based a couple of miles from St Ives, currently top Senior Division A of the Cambs League and recently beat their local rivals in the Hunts Senior Cup in a penalty shootout. They have also performed well against other UCL clubs in cup competitions, beating Eynesbury last season in the Hunts Premier Cup and taking Yaxley to extra time in the Senior Cup.
The aspiring club also have floodlights in place at their Mill Field ground.
Potton United and St Neots Town have also applied for their reserve teams to move from the Bedfordshire County Reserve League.
Cups round-up
Knockout Cup
Second Round – outstanding ties Sleaford 2 Ford Sports 2 aet, Fords won 5-4 on penalties; Cogenhoe 10 Daventry 0. Quarter finals – outstanding ties Yaxley v Ford Sports (18/2); Cogenhoe v Desborough (18/2). Semi-finals Northampton Spencer v Yaxley/Ford Sports; St Neots v Cogenhoe/Desborough (21/3).
Reserve Knockout Cup
Quarter finals – outstanding tie Olney 3 Huntingdon 0. Semi-finals Olney v Sileby; Whitworths v Raunds (25/2).
Bedfordshire Senior Cup
Quarter final Arlesey 1 POTTON 1 (abandoned 90 minutes). Replay: Arlesey 3 POTTON 1.
Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup
Quarter final Brache Reserves 3 STOTFOLD RESERVES 4. Semi-final (4/3) Biggleswade United Reserves v STOTFOLD RESERVES.
Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy
Quarter final Holmer Green 1 NEWPORT PAGNELL 0.
Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup
Fourth Round Stony Stratford 5 OLNEY 0.
Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
Fifth Round PB Milton Keynes 5 OLNEY RESERVES 2.
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup
Quarter finals ST NEOTS 3 HUNTINGDON 2; Needingworth 3 ST IVES 3 aet, Needingworth won 3-1 on penalties. Semi-final (4/3) ST NEOTS v Woodlands.
Cups round-up – continued
Huntingdonshire Premier Cup
First Round – outstanding ties Biggleswade United v ST IVES (21/2); Arlesey Athletic 4 EYNESBURY 0; Godmanchester 4 WOOTTON 2 aet; ST NEOTS 3 STOTFOLD 1 aet; YAXLEY 7 Great Paxton 1. Quarter finals HUNTINGDON v Needingworth (22/2); YAXLEY v Langford (28/2); ST NEOTS v Biggleswade United/ST IVES.
Huntingdonshire Scott-Gatty Cup
Semi-final (11/2) Hotpoint Reserves 3 YAXLEY RESERVES 3 aet, Yaxley won 4-2 on penalties FINAL St Ives Reserves v YAXLEY RESERVES (26/4 @ Needingworth).
Huntingdonshire Benevolent Cup
Semi-finals (11/3) YAXLEY RESERVES v EYNESBURY RESERVES; St Neots Reserves v HUNTINGDON RESERVES.
Lincolnshire Senior Cup ‘A’
Quarter finals – outstanding tie HOLBEACH 1 BLACKSTONES 0 Semi-finals BOSTON TOWN v BOURNE (28/2); HOLBEACH v DEEPING (1/3).
Lincolnshire Senior Cup ‘B’
FINAL SLEAFORD v LSS Lucarlys.
Northamptonshire Hillier Senior Cup
Semi-final RAUNDS 2 NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 3. FINAL NORTHAMPTON SPENCER v Corby (11/4).
Northamptonshire Junior Cup
Quarter final – outstanding tie STEWARTS & LLOYDS RESERVES 3 NORTHAMPTON SPENCER RESERVES 2. Semi-finals STEWARTS & LLOYDS RESERVES 0 WELLINGBOROUGH 1; Rushden Rangers 0 PETERBOROUGH NORTHERN STAR 6. FINAL PETERBOROUGH NORTHERN STAR v WELLINGBOROUGH.
Cups round-up
Northamptonshire Lower Junior Cup
Fifth Round BUGBROOKE RESERVES 4 Welford 4 aet, Bugbrooke won 5-4 on penalties; Werrington 1 THRAPSTON RESERVES 4. Quarter final (11/2) BUGBROOKE RESERVES 4 THRAPSTON RESERVES 3. Semi-final (4/3) BUGBROOKE RESERVES v Ringstead.
Buckingham Charity Cup
Quarter final Winslow 0 WOODFORD 7. Semi-final Oxford City v WOODFORD (1st leg 21/2, 2nd leg TBA).
Hinchingbrooke Cup
Preliminary Round – outstanding tie YAXLEY 7 Cranfield 1. First Round – outstanding ties YAXLEY v ST NEOTS; ROTHWELL CORINTHIANS 1 Barton Rovers 2. Quarter finals YAXLEY/ST NEOTS v Barton Rovers; BLACKSTONES 1 ST IVES 1 aet, St Ives won 4-2 on penalties; POTTON 2 NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 0. Semi-finals POTTON v ST IVES; Langford v YAXLEY/ST NEOTS/Barton Rovers.
North Beds Charity Cup
Semi-finals POTTON v Biggleswade United; Langford v WOOTTON (14/3).
South Midlands Floodlit Cup
First Round – outstanding tie WOOTTON 10 Broxbourne 1. Second Round WOOTTON 1 Stansted 1 aet, Wootton won 4-2 on penalties. Quarter-final Oxhey v WOOTTON.
South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup
Second Round Biggleswade Town Reserves 0 EYNESBURY RESERVES 5. Quarter-final Buckingham Athletic Reserves v EYNESBURY RESERVES.
Cups round-up – continued
Biggleswade Knockout Cup
First Round STOTFOLD RESERVES 2 Campton 0. Quarter final STOTFOLD RESERVES v Langford Reserves.
Cooks and Fords end lower grade Knockout Cup interest
Division One interest in this season’s Knockout Cup came to a January end as the last two survivors bowed out in contrasting Second Round ties. Sleaford gave a good account of themselves against Ford Sports at Cranwell and the Motormen needed a penalty shootout to progress 5-4 after the sides had shared four goals. Chris Trill opened and closed the scoring for Fords with Jamie Shaw and Pete Sutton (penalty) giving the Division One title chasers an interval lead.
Three days later Daventry found themselves overwhelmed as Premier champions Cogenhoe found another gear and cruised to a 10-0 victory, matching Potton’s tally against Burton Park back in October. The Cooks goals were shared around with Rob Goldring netting three, Elliott Sandy and Richard Bunting two apiece and Fazel Koriya and Simon Underwood singles, a Liam O’Reilly own goal rounding off the scoring.
Olney reached the last four of the Reserve Knockout Cup with a 3-0 win over Huntingdon, Tom Collins, Danny Atkins and Gary Janes on the scoresheet for the Nurserymen.
Three book Northants final places
Recent weeks have seen three Northamptonshire clubs book places in county cup finals. Northampton Spencer will entertain Southern League Corby Town in the Hillier Senior Cup final after winning 3-2 at last season’s runners-up Raunds in their semi. A Scott Coleman brace and Jerry Moss effort gave the Millers victory at Kiln Park.
The Junior Cup final will again be an all-EBUCL affair. Holders Peterborough Northern Star stormed to a 6-0 semi-final victory at Rushden Rangers. Laurence Clark scored four for Star with Scott Quinney and Darren Paling also on target. Favourites Wellingborough won 1-0 at Stewarts & Lloyds Reserves with Nick Mason’s goal condemning S&L to a third successive semi-final reverse.
In the Lincolnshire Senior Cup ‘A’ a solitary Tom Gosling goal for Holbeach against Blackstones enabled the Tigers to complete an all EBUCL last four line up.
Potton lost 3-1 at Arlesey at the second attempt in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup quarter final after their first tie had been abandoned at the end of 90 minutes due to an injury to the referee. The Royals had been denied by a late leveller after holding the lead for 85 minutes through Brett Donnelly.
St Neots are the league’s only representatives in the last four of the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup after a 3-2 win over Huntingdon in the quarters. Simon Claridge, Nicky Hurst and Steve Kuhne shared the Saints’ goals. St Ives were on the wrong end of an upset, losing at local rivals Needingworth on penalties after the sides had shared six goals in a thrilling tie.
Leading goalscorers – to 11 February
Premier Division
34 – M. Paul (Yaxley)
28 – S. Kuhne (St Neots)
25 – R. Dunkley (Woodford)
24 – G. Bull (Boston)
22 – S. Coleman (Northampton Spencer)
20 – W. Byrne (Potton)
18 – N. Gordon (Woodford), C. Johnson, D. Jozwiak (Wootton), R. Max-Grant (Buckingham)
17 – D. Frost (Northampton Spencer), P. Goodhand (Boston), V. Shrieves (Newport Pagnell)
16 – B. Foster (Raunds – including 13 for Ford Sports), G. Walker (St Neots)
14 – R. Pringle (Stotfold)
13 – A. Bascombe (Stotfold), P. Garrett (Potton), R. Tanner (Raunds)
12 – M. Byrne (Desborough – including 8 for Stewarts & Lloyds), D. Collins (Cogenhoe)
11 – J. Coley (Potton), M. McKenzie (Buckingham)
10 – J. Blackett (Stotfold), E. Sandy (Cogenhoe)
Division One
33 – J. Shaw (Sleaford)
19 – B. Holley (Whitworths)
18 – P. Collins (Eynesbury)
17 – I. Fovargue (Peterborough Northern Star)
16 – R. Beardshaw (Olney)
15 – A. Taylor (Sileby)
14 – J, Westley (Whitworths)
11 – G. Batt (AFC Kempston), J. Blake (Thrapston – including 1 for Whitworths), L. Bradley (ON
Chenecks), H. Carmody (Blisworth), S. Daly (Bugbrooke), M. Freeman (Whitworths), D. Paling
(Peterborough Northern Star)
10 – P. Bass (Huntingdon), P. Carey (Eynesbury), C. Cooper (Sileby), R. Foster (Whitworths – all for
Wellingborough)
Reserve Division One
17 – G. Evans (Desborough)
11 – D. Munton (Bourne)
10 – M. Keirle (Blackstones)
9 – A. Bradshaw (ex-Cogenhoe), D. Jarman (Deeping), J. Wager (Whitworths)
8 – W. Oldacre (Deeping)
Reserve Division Two
13 – J. Inwood (Long Buckby)
11 – A. Lake (Daventry)
10 – N. Crowder (Daventry)
9 – A. Bennett (Woodford), D. Hoppitt (Rothwell Corinthians), G. Janes (Olney), J. Wesby (Thrapston)
8 – C. Jarvis (Wellingborough), J. Yasar (Bugbrooke)