UCL Review 2014-2015

AFC Kempston moved on with a 3-1 home win over Felixstowe, Sam Bush, Ben Gallant and Sam Johnson sharing the goals, while Holbeach also defeated visitors from the east coast as goals from Lee Beeson and Jamie Clarke saw off Gorleston 2-0 at Carters Park. Yaxley needed a replay to get the better of Godmanchester, running out emphatic 4-0 home winners with two goal Dan Cotton, David Cobb and Liam Hook all on target. A single Jason Kilbride goal gave Peterborough Northern Star a 1-0 home win over Stotfold while Thurnby went through 4-2 at Boldmere with a Matt Melbourne double and singles from Liam Canavan and Pearson Mwanyongo. Northampton Spencer and Peterborough Sports both kept the Division One flag flying. The Millers defeated Essex Senior League pacesetters Haringey 5-3 on penalties after two draws, 1-1 at White Hart Lane and 0-0 at Kingsthorpe Mill. Sports went through 2-1 in extra time at Welwyn Garden City with Dan Clements the two goal matchwinner. With two more exempt clubs joining the fray in Round Two the league had a healthy tally of eleven clubs left on the road to Wembley. There were contrasting fortunes for the two clubs which had performed well in the previous season. AFC Rushden & Diamonds suffered a shock single goal defeat at Hullbridge but Wisbech pipped a useful Cleethorpes side 2-1 at the Elgoods Stadium, Josh Ford scoring both goals. The two Division One survivors bowed out with Northampton Spencer exiting 3-1 at London Colney and Peterborough Sports pipped 4-3 by neighbours Peterborough Northern Star in front of a bumper Friday night crowd at Lincoln Road. Phil Stebbing, Avelino Vieira, Andy Law and Jordan Macleod gave Star local bragging rights in a thrilling encounter. Another all domestic tie saw Holbeach get the better of Huntingdon 3-2 at Carters Park with Kern Miller, Craig Parker and Jamie Clarke giving the Tigers victory. AFC Kempston’s run ended with a 2-1 reverse at Norwich United but Scott Carter’s hat trick gave Yaxley a 3-0 home win over Fakenham and Deeping put out Oxhey 2-0 with a Jezz Goldson-Williams effort and an own goal. Thurnby marched on with a 4-1 home win over Gornal, Eddy Samba, Ash Day, Reece Morris and Matt Melbourne sharing the goals. Round Three saw three wins and three defeats for our clubs. A single Lee Beeson goal saw Holbeach progress 1-0 at London Colney, while Yaxley also won on the road, 3-1 at Brantham with Rob Hughes, Luke Hipwell and Dan Cotton scoring for the Cuckoos. Thurnby made home progress, Ash Day and Liam Canavan putting Bromsgrove to the sword 2-1 at Dakyn Road. It was the end of the line for Wisbech, who lost 3-2 to a Walsall Wood side which avenged the previous season’s exit at the hands of the Fenmen, while Peterborough Northern Star were eliminated 3-2 by Hellenic League title favourites Flackwell Heath. Deeping were our third casualties as Heanor ran out 2-1 winners in extra time at Outgang Road. Round Four saw two of our sides paired and Thurnby and Holbeach served up a thriller before the Tigers triumphed 4-3 in extra time at Dakyn Road. Livo Dube and Matt Nolan gave Holbeach a two goal lead but Nirvana turned the game round with goals from Ash Day, Matt Melbourne and Liam Canavan. Kern Miller levelled in added time and Jamie Clarke won the contest for the Tigers in the additional half hour. Yaxley were unfortunate to find an Erith & Belvedere goalkeeper in outstanding form at Park Road and bowed out to a single goal, a missed penalty by Rob Hughes proving decisive. Holbeach made their exit in Round Five failing to make ground advantage count as Erith & Belvedere claimed a second UCL scalp with a 3-2 extra time success at Carters Park. Holbeach were unable to build on Livo Dube’s early opener and despite levelling through Jake Duffy in the second half progress proved beyond them.

Member clubs won 37 ties in all to win prize monies totalling £34,400 with the leading beneficiaries Holbeach (£6,400), Thurnby (£5,000) and Yaxley (£4,400).

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