Black Country Rangers 4 Wolverhampton Casuals 3

Thursday 16th May 2013
The J. W. Hunt Cup Final finished 4-3 as it did 12 months ago and tonight, at Molineux, holders Black Country Rangers retained the trophy thanks to a 90th minute winner from substitute Jozef Jakob. Following a quiet first half in which Paul Oakley gave Rangers a slender lead, the game certainly came to life after the break with no fewer than six goals. Jordan Nadat doubled Rangers’ lead before Casuals roared back to edge in front with goals from Sean Williams and two from Carlo Franco. Cassies looked like prevailing on their first appearance in the final until Jakob first levelled the scores and then netted the dramatic late winner. Off the field, a healthy crowd in the Billy Wright Stand boosted the funds of the Beacon Centre for the Blind and we won the raffle!

Black Country Rangers 4 Wolverhampton Casuals 3
J. W. Hunt Cup Final
At: Molineux
Kick-off: 7-15 pm
Admission: £3/£1; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Weather: cloudy, rain during the second half

After the excitement of the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, tonight I bought my 2012/13 UK season to a close at another iconic stadium – Molineux. Facing each other at the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final of the long-standing and much-respected J. W. Hunt Cup were two sides from the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division in Black Country Rangers and Wolverhampton Casuals. Both finished the season in the top five so a close contest was anticipated even though the two league meeetings produced an aggregate score of 10-1 in favour of the Casuals.

With credit to the JW Hunt Cup website (http://www.simplesite.com/jwhuntcup): The JW Hunt Cup Charity football competition was formed in 1926 to raise funds for the sole benefit of the local blind. It is named in memory of John William Hunt, a local business man and benefactor. Mr Hunt, who died at the age of 81 in December 1925, founded the local Chillington Tool Company and was a supporter of local charities. The firm’s trademark was the ‘crocodile’ and the crocodile is incorporated into the trophy handles. It has been run every season since 1926/27 season including the War years. The inaugural winners were Short Heath United who beat Cannon Iron at Molineux in April 1927. Over £277,500 has been raised since! Season 2011/12 alone raised £6,000.

2013/13 competition

First Round
Wyrley Juniors 3 Penkridge Town1
Black Country Rangers 1 Wednesfield RBL 1
Chasetown 2 Wolverhampton Sporting 0
Trysull 2 Wednesfield 3
Wolverhampton Casuals 3 Stone Old Alleynians 2
Wellington Amateurs 3 Ettingshall Park Farm 0
AFC Smethwick 2 Tividale 1
Brocton 6 Penncroft 0
Warstones Wanderers 3 Stafford Town 4
Sporting Khalsa 4 Continental Star 0
Darlaston Town 0 Wolverhampton United 1
West Midlands Police 1 AFC Wombourne United 4
Heath Hayes 6 AFC Wulfrunians 0
Willenhall Town 3 Pendeford Santos 1
Wrens Nest 2 Pelsall Villa 3
Bilston Town 3 Red Star Alma 0

Second Round
AFC Wombourne 0 Sporting Khalsa 1
AFC Smethwick 1 Bilston Town 2
Black Country Rangers 3 Stafford Town 2
Pelsall 0 Chasetown 2
Brocton 1 Wolverhampton Casuals 5
Wyrley Juniors 1 Willenhall Town 8
Wednesfield 1 Wellington Amateurs 0
Heath Hayes 1 Wolverhampton United 0

Quarter Finals
Chasetown 4 Willenhall Town 3
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Heath Hayes 1
Black Country Rangers 5 Wednesfield 0
Sporting Khalsa 1 Bilston Town 0

Semi Finals (Monday 13th May)
Black Country Rangers 4 Sporting Khalsa 3 (at AFC Wulfrunians)
Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Chasetown 1 (aet, pens 4-3, at Sporting Khalsa)

I was quite surprised to find that the last of my six previous visits to Molineux came over 22 years ago in March 1991 before the old North and South Bank terraces and Waterloo Road Stand were demolished. The Steve Bull Stand (back then called the John Ireland Stand) remains in situ with three new stands – the large new Stan Cullis Stand at the north end, Jack Harris Stand behind the south goal and main Billy Wright Stand.

Both Rangers (5th with 88 points from 40 games) and Cassies (3rd with 97 points from 42 games) had a decent league season in the West Midlands (Regional) League with top-five finishing positions. Cassies soundly won both league meetings and I saw the 5-0 victory at Brinsford Lane back in February which followed a 5-1 win at Tividale earlier in the season.

Wolverhampton Casuals (in a change kit of sky blue and white stripes) got the game underway attacking the Jack Harris Stand (old South Bank end) in the first half.

We didn’t have to wait long for a goal as Black Country Rangers took the lead in the 7th minute. Paul Oakley ran into the area down the left and slotted a right-foot shot through Todd Henderson’s legs from 8 yards out.

Casuals went close in the 21st minute. Tom Maydew got forward down the right into the Black County area and hit a low shot on target which a defender got back to clear.

Confusion at the back gifted a chance to Oakley who, in a challenge with Todd Henderson, headed just wide of the unguarded Casuals goal.

Just before the break, Mark Bellingham couldn’t quite get on the end of a deep cross from Craig Love. The Casuals captain them drove a well-struck 30-yard shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Good news at the interval as our blue ticket 206–210 was announced as the winner of the raffle!

The second half immediately came to life when Sam Wilkinson flew at a right-wing cross from Nadat and sent a diving header just wide of the far post.

Unlike the first half, chances started to be created far more frequently and Black Country doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Nadat ran down the right into the area and slotted a low shot between Henderson and the near post.

Casuals immediately bounced back with a goal a minute later. Sean Williams, on the left curled a looping shot which hit the far right-hand post and went in off defender Craig Gregg.

Henderson produced a decent save to top over a rising shot from Adam Swain before Casuals scored a 69th-minute equaliser. Angelo Franco delivered a left-wing corner to the near post which was forced over the line by Carlo Franco.

It got even better for Casuals five minutes later when they took the lead for the first time. Again from a corner, Luke Tudor sent perfect ball from the right which Carlo Franco headed into the far left-hand side of the net.

Black Country replaced Russell Garner with striker Jozef Jakob who certainly made a dramatic impact on the Final.

Jakob, who I remember playing for Stratford Town a few years ago, got Rangers back on level terms in the 82nd minute. A long throw from the left was flicked on and Jakob sidefooted home at close range.

With rain falling at its heaviest, Henderson produced another decent save with his boot to keep out a shot from Nadat but couldn’t do anything to prevent Black Country scored what proved to be the winner.

In the 90th minute, Gregg delivered a deep left-wing corner which hit the far post and rebounded kindly for Jakob to fire home.

There was still time for Casuals to mount a late attack. Sean Williams crossed deep from the right but Bellingham’s header was saved by Richard Kennerdy.

At full-time, Black Country’s Jordan Nadat was named Man of the Match.

Black Country Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Richard Kennerdy, 2. Adam Fincher, 3. Alex Hammond, 4. Russell Garner, 5. Aaron Lloyds, 6. Sam Wilkinson (capt), 7. Craig Gregg, 8. Jamie Hurdman, 9. Jordan Nadat, 10. Paul Oakley, 11. Adam Swain. Subs: 12. Lee Knight (not used), 14. Liam Hughes (not used), 15. Adam Harris (for Fincher, 63), 16. Douglas Gould (not used), 17. Jozef Jakob (for Garner, 79). Manager: Paul Garner.

Wolverhampton Casuals (sky blue and white stripes / navy blue / sky blue): 1. Todd Henderson, 2. Tom Maydew, 3. Luke Tudor, 4. Carlo Franco, 5. Daniel Lloyd, 6. George Williams, 7. Angelo Franco, 8. Craig Love (capt), 9. Mark Bellingham, 10. Matt Bailey, 11. Sean Williams. Subs: 12. Adrian Jones (not used), 14. Barry Evans (not used), 15. Ray Facey (not used), 16. Dan Pilgrim (for Love, 78), 17. Matt Dodd (for George Williams, 45). Manager: Carl Abbott.

Referee: Phil Magness.
Assistants: Neil Faunch and Adrian Hall
Fourth Official: Paddy Keane.

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Duration: first-half: 45:36; second-half: 48:49

Man of the Match: Jordan Nadat (Black Country Rangers)

Goals:
1-0 Paul Oakley (7)
2-0 Jordan Nadat (56)
2-1 Sean Williams (57)
2-2 Carlo Franco (69)
2-3 Carlo Franco (74)
3-3 Jozef Jakob (82)
4-3 Jozef Jakob (90)

Cards: none.

Arsenal 4 Wigan Athletic 1

Tuesday 14th May 2013
Just three days after winning the FA Cup at Wembley, Wigan Athletic returned to the capital but suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands on an impressive Arsenal side which condemns them to relegation to the Championship. Lukas Podolski gave the Gunners an early lead but, to the credit, Wigan levelled things up just before the interval direct from a Shaun Maolney free-kick. The Latics went close to taking the lead in the second half before three goals in eight minutes from Theo Walcott, Podolski and Aaron Ramsay gave Arsenal an unassailable 4-1 advantage. The win lifted Arsenal over Tottenham into the last Champions League qualifying spot and another three points on Sunday at Newcastle will guarantee them a 16th consecutive season in Europe’s premier club competition. I must say two things. First, what a good bunch the Wigan fans are to travel back to London is such numbers and, second, that the Emirates is a superb stadium and Arsenal should be applauded for the excellent non-confrontational stewarding which made the visit a real pleasure as an away fan.

Arsenal 4 Wigan Athletic 1
Barclays Premier League
At: Emirates Stadium
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £35-50; Programme: £3 (84 pages)
Weather: rain

I’m really not sure if I’ve seen a competitive English league game before so late into May where winning was vital to BOTH sides. Wigan Athletic simply had to win to keep alive their slender hopes of staying in the Premier League, otherwise they’d become the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season. At the other loftier end of the table, Arsenal needed to win to move back into the top four and then would require a win on Sunday at Newcastle to guarantee Champions League qualification for a 16th consecutive season. A draw was no real use to either side as their fates would be in other teams' hands on the final day.

Being predominately a watcher of non-league football over the past 35 years, my one and only visit to Arsenal’s old Highbury ground came in March 1990, just under two years after my solitary visit to Wigan’s old Springfield Park. A trip to the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium, opened in 2006, had proved elusive until tonight.

What a relief it was to arrive at Arsenal tube station and then walk over the Ken Friar Bridge to get a first glimpse of the stadium's exterior adorned at the nearest point by a mural depicting four former greats – Bastin, Adams, Brady, Henry.

The relief stemmed from the nightmare journey down to London and one which did leave my wondering of the Emirates would indeed continue to remain elusive until next season or later. My London Midland train departed Rugby on time only to grind to a halt near Bugbrooke before reaching Milton Keynes. Twitter first and then the train manager’s announcement relayed bad news. Trains were struck due to overhead line damage caused by a train hitting an object hanging from the wires (photo right isn't mine, tweeted by Virgin trains). To London Midland’s credit, a cunning plan was hatched for the train to switch to the northbound track and return to Rugby for us passengers to transfer to another London-bound train via Northampton. This duly happened and thank fully, I arrived at Euston some 150 minutes later than planned. Alas, no time for sightseeing only a couple of pre-match ales at the Friend in Hand (London Pride) and Marquis Cornwallis (Peerless All American IPA) both Cask Marque-accredited pubs near Russell Square.

I don’t think the stress of the journey really subsided until I’d first arrived at Arsenal tube station and then got my hands on a programme from one of the numerous sellers near the ground

I think ‘WOW’ is an appropriate way to describe the ground, full of predominately red seats at a capacity of 60,361. From Block K, near one corner at the Clock End, the view was a decent one with what would have been a comfy seat with plenty of leg room; trouble was I only got to sit in it before the game and at half time. Reluctantly, to see the action, I had to stand like all of the fans in mine and adjacent blocks.

Digressing for a moment, two away Arsenal games I saw stick in my mind. The first, way back in 1981 when I was a student in the Steel City, was a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of then Fourth Division side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Milk Cup. Bob Hatton got the winner but Arsenal won the tie overall 2-1 on aggregate. The second, at Selhurst Park against Wimbledon, became infamous for events off the field. The floodlights failed just 10 seconds into the second half in suspicious and mysterious circumstances with the score still 0-0.

So going back to the league table, Arsenal went into tonight’s game in fifth position with 67 points from 36 games, two behind Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand. Down in the relegation zone, Wigan were 18th and in the final relegation spot, four points from safety behind Sunderland with a game in hand on 35 points from 36 games.

While the Arsenal side particularly was packed with some star name, one name stood out from the fourth match officials – assistant referee Jake Collin. I remember the name well as he was just about the best non-league referee around during Stafford Rangers’s two-season stint in the Nationwide Conference/Blue Square Premier between 2006 and 2008. Now Collin graces the Premier League as a top assistant referee and the Champions League as well.

Wigan (in a change kit of all black) got the game underway attacking the Clock End (i.e. goal nearest to my seat).

Needing a win to regain their advantage over Spurs in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League, Arsenal took the lead in the 11th minute. Santi Cazorla delivered a left-wing cross which unmarked Lukas Podolski headed home.

The Gunners enjoyed plenty of possession and played some scintillating football but couldn’t add a second goal. Theo Walcott had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside while I can’t recall goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny touching the ball too often.

Suddenly, Arsenal were made to pay for not scoring again and stunned by Wigan’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Shaun Moloney hit a stunning 25-yard free-kick past Szczesny. Wigan fans ecstatic – regained hope of avoiding relegation and good news for Spurs as well.

Wigan certainly came out fired up for the second half and could have taken a shock lead soon after the restart. Szczesny produced a great save to deny Arouna Kone and Wigan also had a goal disallowed. What would have happened in the two races to avoid relegation and secure the final Champions League spot had one of these chances been a goal.

Well, Wigan’s hope was shortlived as Arsenal regained the initiative to score three super goals in eight minutes to move from 1-1 to 4-1 up. Walcott converted a low cross from Cazorla to made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute. Cazorla was the provider five minutes later for Podokski to increase the lead and a run down the left and angled shot from Aaron Ramsay took the score out of reach of Wigan to 4-1.

Last time I saw Podolski play, he also netted twice for 1FC Koln against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga two seasons ago. More super finishing from the German international tonight as well.

Sadly for the Wigan fans around me, their eight-season stint in the top-flight came to an end with Mike Dean’s final whistle. Their final game on Sunday at home to Aston Villa is now academic while Arsenal head to Newcastle needing to equal or better Tottenham’s result to extend their proud run of Champions League appearances.

As I tweeted: ‘Full credit to all the Wigan fans who made second London trip in 3 days in such numbers’.

With Holloway Road tube station closed and Arsenal likely to be congested, the only option even in heavy rain was a walk back to by Bloomsbury hotel. On the way, as a bonus, I stumbled on a most-welcoming Cask Marque pub – Hemingford Arms – with a nice pint of Sharp’s Doom Bar.

Arsenal (red with white sleeves / white / white): 1. Wojciech Szczesny, 3. Bacary Sagna, 4. Per Mertesacker, 6. Laurent Koscielny, 29. Kieran Gibbs, 8. Mikel Arteta (capt), 18. Aaron Ramsey, 7. Tomas Rosicky, 14. Theo Walcott, 9. Lukas Podolski, 19. Santi Cazorla. Subs: 21gk. Lukasz Fabianski (not used), 5. Thomas Vermaelen (for Arteta, 90), 10. Jack Wilshere (for Rosicky, 78), 15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Podolski, 78), 17. Nacho Monreal (not used), 25. Carl Jenkinson (not used), 27. Gervinho (not used). Manager: Arsène Wenger.

Wigan Athletic (black/black/black): 1. Joel Robles, 3. Antolin Alcaraz, 17. Emmerson Boyce, 33. Paul Scharner, 18. Roger Espinoza, 4. James McCarthy, 10. Shaun Maloney, 14. Jordi Gomez, 15. Callum McManaman, 16. James McArthur, 2. Arouna Kone. Subs: 26gk. Ali Al-Habsi (not used), 5. Gary Caldwell (not used), 8. Ben Watson (for Gomez, 64), 9. Franco Di Santo (for McManaman, 57), 11. Angelo Henriquez (for Moloney, 85), 20. Fraser Fyvie (not used), 25. Roman Goldbart (not used). Manager: Roberto Martinez.

Referee: Mike Dean.
Assistants: Jake Collin and John Brooks.
Fourth Official: Phil Dowd.

Attendance: 60068

Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 47:26

Goals:
1-0 Lukas Podolski (11)
1-1 Shaun Maloney (45)
2-1 Theo Walcott (63)
3-1 Lukas Podolski (68)
4-1 Aaron Ramsey (71)

Cards:
Arsenal: none
Wigan: Antolin Alcaraz (YC, 52), Shaun Maloney (YC, 56)

Feckenham 1 FC Glades 2

Monday 6th May 2013
This was just about the perfect way of ending my 2012/13 English non-league season with a stress-free game on the hottest day of the year so far. The ground certainly surprised me with more character than I imagined and the bank behind the dugouts provided an elevated position from which watch the action as well as admire the view of the Warwickshire countryside. On field, after a goalless through entertaining first half, Glades took the lead soon after the restart through Justin Best and held until Steve Roche scored what looked like a late equaliser for the home side. In one final twist, Best scored his second goal and the winner in the first minute of stoppage time to give Glades maximum points.

Feckenham 1 FC Glades 2
Athium Midland Combination Division One
At: Eldorado Close, Studley
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Weather: hot and sunny, gentle breeze

Feckenham (green with white sleeves / green / green): 1. Brendon Bunn, 2. Ashley Bunn, 3. Daniel Price, 4. Dean Brierley, 5. Gareth Hodgetts, 6. Matthew Cooke, 7. Jamie Wright, 8. Ross Hewitt, 9. Sam Partridge, 10. Kelvin White (capt), 11. Steve Roche. Subs: 12. Matthew Edwards (for Hewitt, 63), 14. James Burke (not used), 15. Adam Hill (not used), 16. Tom Craywell (for Partridge, 70). Manager: Ian Heppenstall.

FC Glades (red/red/red): 1. Steve Cullen, 2. Gavin Williams, 3. Mathew Phipps, 4. Simon Quigley (capt), 5. Michael Hollis, 6. Richard Homer, 7. Tobias May, 8. Stuart Kempson, 9. Justin Best, 10. Ashley Cattermole, 11. Josh Wilson. Subs: 12. Aaron Kocsis (for Phipps, 86), 14. Ben Main (not used). Manager: Ben Main.

Referee: George Warren.
Assistants: Rob Lovegrove and Dan Roberts.

Attendance: 35 (headcount)

Duration: first-half: 45:46; second-half: 47:54

Goals:
0-1 Justin Best (48)
1-1 Steve Roche (83)
2-1 Justin Best (90+1)

Cards:
Feckenham: Matthew Cooke (YC, 18), Steve Roche (YC, 85)
FC Glades: Stuart Kempson (YC, 43)

Stafford Town 0 Littleton 1

Saturday 4th May 2013
Stafford Town wrapped up their home league programme with a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Premier Division runners-up Littleton. The winner came for the visitors as early as the fourth minute when Joe Lolley fired a loose ball home from 10 yards out. Injury- and suspension-hit Town have now lost their last three games and it looked as if they will need to win at Racing Club Warwick to finish their first Premier Division season in the top ten. Littleton, also enjoying their first Premier Division campaign, complete their fixtures in two days time away at champions Walsall Wood.

Stafford Town 0 Littleton 1
Athium Midland Combination Premier Division
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Weather: warm and sunny, blustery wind

Stafford Town (red/red/red): 1. Richard Stone, 2. James Cresswell, 3. Joe Woodward, 4. Ben Henderson, 5. James Price, 6. Mat Dockerty (capt), 7. Jason Cunningham, 8. Francis Dacres, 9. Paul McMahon, 10. Ryan Fox, 11. Darryll Johns. Subs: 12. Alex Rowland (for Fox, 55), 14. Steve Bennett (for Cunningham, 62), 17. Adam Cunningham (not used). Manager: Adam Cunningham.

Littleton (white / navy blue / white): 1. Jack Dell, 2. Kevin Ingram, 3. Kieran Cross, 4. Matt Mitchell, 5. Cieran Gilbert, 6. Mark Slevin, 7. Alex Baird (capt), 8. Scott Walsh, 9. Dave Edwards, 10. Joe Lolley, 11. Callum Clarke. Subs: 12. Steve Edgehill (for Gilbert, 66), 14. Tim Beattie (not used), 15. Jas Bishop (not used). Manager: Andy Robbins.

Attendance: 40

Duration: first-half: 46:52; second-half: 47:27

Goals:
0-1 Joe Lolley (4)

Cards:
Stafford: none
Littleton: Callum Clarke (YC, 56)

Rocester 2 Ellesmere Rangers 3

Thursday 2nd May 2013
This was a significant game for a number of reasons. Rocester completed their busy end-of-season schedule of 14 games in 32 days and manager Dave Langston took change for the last time. Visitors Ellesmere Rangers needed a win to extend their fight to avoid finishing bottom and did just with a very late winner. Trailing 2-0 after 11 minutes to goals from Joe Rogers and Edwin Ahenkorah, Ellesmere pulled a goal back before the interval through Tom Kelly. An own goal from Rocester’s Ryan Pirrie got the visitors back on level terms and Josh Brown scored a late winner to give Ellesmere what could turn out to be a priceless victory.

Rocester 2 Ellesmere Rangers 3
Baker Joiner Midland Alliance
At: Hillsfield
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1
Weather: mild and sunny

Rocester (amber and black stripes / black / black): 19. Richard Froggatt, 2. Lee Sepncer, 3. Carl Allen, 4. Wayne Johnson, 5. Chris McComisky, 6. Ryan Pirrie, 7. Dean Bromley, 8. Jack Langston (capt), 9. Chris Sterling, 10. Joe Rogers, 11. Edwin Asante-Ahenkorah. Subs: Paul McMahon (not used), 14. Dan McLeod (for Spencer, ht), 15. Adam Swain (for Bromley, ht), 16. Nick Ward (not used), 17. Liam Holt (for Pirrrie, 77). Manager: Dave Langston.

Ellesmere Rangers (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Ben Richards, 2. George Durrell, 3. Matty Fletcher, 4. Steve Towers, 5. James O’Reilly, 6. Dan Tolley, 7. Darren Beech, 8. Jamie Haynes, 9. Tom Kelly, 10. Kevin Renshaw, 11. Steve O’Reilly. Subs: 12. Adam Smith (for Beech, 81), 14. Louis Irvine (for Durrell, 51), 15. Josh Brown (for Renshaw, 71), 16. Davis Lee (not used). Manager: Delwyn Humphries.

Referee: Neil Faunch (Lichfield).
Assistants: Rebecca Scott-Mullen and Tom Ahearn.

Attendance: 77

Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 48:43

Goals:
1-0 Joe Rogers (5)
2-0 Edwin Asante-Ahenkorah (11)
2-1 Tom Kelly (40)
2-2 Ryan Pirrie (54 og)
2-3 Josh Brown (84)

Cards: none

Stone Dominoes 2 Bacup Borough 3

Wednesday 1st May 2013
I didn’t know that Stone Dominoes were playing their final game of the season tonight until Facebook friend Paul Proctor asked some for some advice. He and Callum travelled up from Hampshire so it was rude not for me to join them. Rooted to the bottom of the table and probably quitting Saturday football altogether, goals from Dwayne Spence and Derrick Agbor gave Stone two-goal lead during the first half and Jake Ratcliffe saved a penalty as well. It all went wrong, however, after the break after defender Alex Hutchinson received a straight red. Bacup scored twice in a minute to level things before Adrian Bellamy scored their late winner. Spare a thought for both clubs… the sad plight of the Doms, who finish the season with 13 points from 42 games, goal difference –135, and Bacup, required to play seven games in ten days to complete their fixtures.

Stone Dominoes 2 Bacup Borough 3
North-West Counties League Premier Division
At: Wellbeing Park Stadium, Yarnfield
Kick-off: 8-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Weather: mild and dry, chillier during second half (same as last night)

Stone Dominoes (red/black/black): 1. Jake Ratcliffe, 2. Adam Edwards (capt), 3. Thomas Larosu, 4. Jack Beech, 5. Alex Hutchinson, 6. Josh Nugent, 7. Daniel King, 8. Daniel Counter, 9. Dwayne Spence, 10. Derrick Agbor, 11. Aaron Johns. Subs: 12. Luke Robinson (not used), 14. Angelo Enricco (for Johns, 24), 15. Kevin Davies (for King, 76). Manager: Dave Dale.

Bacup Borough (blue/blue/blue): 1. Paul Horridge, 2. Gareth Wager, 3. Shane Birtles, 4. Adam Turner, 5. Adrian Bellamy, 6. Danny Coleman, 7. Lee Oldham, 8. Matthew Hampson, 9. Ben Shedwick, 10. Boic Nhlizyo, 11. Daniel Cocks (capt). Subs: 12. Artjons Buturins (for Shedwick, ht), 14. John Stephenson (for Coleman, ht), 15. Paul Arrowsmith (not used), 17. Paul Soccha (for Oldham, 39).

Referee: M. Stewart.
Assistants: A. Hall and G. Clinton.

Attendance: 20

Duration: first-half: 46:28; second-half: 49:44

Goals:
1-0 Dwayne Spence (29)
2-0 Derrick Agbor (41)
2-1 John Stephenson (73)
2-2 Artjons Buturins (74)
2-3 Adrian Bellamy (86)

Cards:
Stone: Alex Hutchinson (RC, 61)
Bacup: Gareth Wager (YC, 61), Daniel Cocks (YC, 61), Boic Nhlizyo (YC, 84), Artjons Buturins (YC, 89)