ONE FOOT OVER THE FINISH LINE FOR HAUGHTON GREY HORSE

Haughton have one hand on the First Division Trophy after beating RFC 0-3. 6 points clear of nearest rivals Shuttle with only two left to play, Ronnie Coleman’s side are odds on to continue their strangle-like grip on the the DSIL top-tier. However, despite the fact the Championship could be confirmed if Shuttle fail to beat CBMI on Sunday, Coleman refuses to crack open the champagne just yet, ‘We still need another point, so until that happens we’ll save the celebrations, but I’m really proud of the lads so far’. Rolling Mill Allstars survived a second half fightback to take all 3pts in their home game against Argos/DHL. A depleted visiting squad meant they could only start with 10-men and Allstars took full advantage when a Richardson brace and a Darren Thompson strike gave them a 3-0 half time lead. However, reinforcements arrived for Argos when Martin ‘Mario’ Scott came out of retirement to give the visitors hope, but despite Darren Kokes also scoring they couldn’t find an equalizer and the game finished 3-2. In the remaining Division 1 tie, Hole in the Wall finished their season with a win against lowly Brinkburn Lions at Spring filed. In typically unpredictable style, The Wall conceded four goals but a couple from Nathan Wall and one each from the evergreen Tony Moorcroft combined with those from Adam Flynn, Carl Elliott and David James secured a 6-4 win.  

The Deacon jumped into the driving seat in the close-as-you-like race for the Division 2 title after overwhelming Railway Institute on North Park. With Carmel unplayable, the game was moved to Whossoe Road, but on a heavy surface both teams struggled to adapt. However, the ‘home’ side broke the deadlock when Stu Cottam netted from close range and further goals from Fred Huscroft & Mitchell Brown gave them a 3-0 half time lead. Cottam and Brown double their tally after the break whilst Abdul El-Khayat capped a solid debut performance with a 20-yard strike. Lewis Henry also curled home a corner as a dominant Deacon made it 7-0 before RI grabbed a late consolation. Meanwhile, it was a goals galore in the games between Harrowgate Hill versus Grants and Havelock Arms against Slaters. Goals from Turner, Ward, Weston and 2 from Harland for The Hill were matched by those from Dixon, Hall, Russell and Pearson (2) for Grants as the two teams canceled each out in their high scoring draw. Whilst a second half horror show from Slaters contributed to their downfall against The Havvy. Mohammed, Thorne and Rimmer scored to match their hosts 3 goals to leave it finally poised at the interval, but Slaters were given 6 of the best in the second half as home side took control. Kemp, Howden, substitute Brown and two each for Sanderson, leading scorer Adi Weston and Man of the Match Dean Irvine meant a 9-3 win for the Middleton lads who move up to 3^rd place. In the basement battle at the riverside Croft beat Park Utd 3-0 to ensure the visitors will finish bottom in their maiden campaign. New signing Jamie Graham had a debut to remember after his brace, whilst a scorcher from Paul Tweddle secured the win. Croft’s Jo Simpson said Shaun Maddison deserved a special mention, ‘Shaun played a brilliant energetic game and, despite Jamie’s debut goals, was deservedly Man of the Match’. Finally, Goodfellas and ACE Cars were left frustrated as their game was postponed due to a no-show from the match official.