Cherry put the icing on the cake !

Nuneaton Cherry Tree won the Observer Shield, for the first time, as they took the honours in the first of sixteen-cup finals to be played this season. They clinched the Shield after a 3-1 win on penalties over Premier Two side Black Horse Sports after both sides were level at 1-1 after 120 minutes of play. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out in the first half although both had chances to open the scoring, however it was Cherry Tree who drew first blood after 70 minutes, with a goal from Carl Hutchinson. Black Horse equalised within five minutes thanks to a goal from Sean McCallum and had several chances to take the lead but the Cherry Tree keeper; Andy Wheeler kept them at bay. Again Wheeler thwarted the Black Horse strikers in extra time and saved two of the Black Horse penalties to ensure his team came out on top.  

Nuneaton Cherry Tree FC celebrate

Neil Mather and a Lee Petch penalty gave Ford Sports a 2-0 win over Sunnyside as they went back to the top of Mission Fashion Premier One. White Hart slip after they were held to a goal less draw with Bulkington White Lion, while Hartshill Sports also had to share the points after they drew 1-1 with New Dolphin. Wayne Hadley scored the Hartshill goal. A last minute goal from Pete Benn gave Drayton a 1-0 win over Ridge Lane as they move into mid table. Chase FC are off the bottom thanks to a 5-1 win over Nuneaton Prince.  Prince took the lead but Chase went into the halftime break 2-1 ahead through Dean Askew and Lee Burridge. Further second half goals from Ben Wollerson, Kristian Hollowood and Paul Louth, his first goal for the club, secured a 5-1 win.  

Man of the Match - Stuart Stain lifts the Shield with a little help !

No change at the top of Deslandes Premier Two after the top four teams all won. Tom Bray was on target twice for leaders Weddington Thistle as they went on to beat Wentworth Wanderers 3-1. Alex Evans scored the other Weddington goal, Alan Dyde replied for Wentworth. Trent FC keep up the pressure in second after they beat Coton Rose 3-1. Phil Green scoring two of the Trent goals, Glyn Callaghan the other. Nick Ginnelli also scored twice as Crystal FC beat Attleboro Arms 3-0. Kevin Murphy scored the other Crystal goal. Bull & Anchor Ash Green stay fourth after they beat Bedworth Travellers 2-0.  

In Alphie Cain division one, Trent FC Res moved off the bottom after they won their first game of the season. Blane Harvey’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Kelly’s Bar. Kelly’s Bar thought they had equalised when Aaron Barrell put the ball into the net only for it to be chalked off through offside. Ford Oak stay out in front after they beat Hartshill Sports Res 3-2. Gavin Orton scored twice for the league leaders; David Merry added the other, while Chris Pith and Matt Lawley replied for Hartshill. Attleboro Mills enjoyed success in front of goal as they beat Lancet 6-0.  

Crew FC are turning their season around and after last weeks draw they have followed it up with a long awaited victory, 2-0, against Sunnyside Res in Nuneaton Print division two.  Lee Moreton gave them a 1-0 half time lead, which Jamey Skelton doubled late in the second half atoning for his earlier penalty miss. Attleboro Oak beat John ‘Knocker’ West cup finalists Windmill 3-0, while Old Swan shared the points with Drayton Res in a 3-3 draw. Robbie Williams and Dean Clark both found the net for Chase FC Res as they beat Ford Sports Res 2-1. Ryan Keane scored the Ford Sports Res goal.  

Sporting Lloyds moved back to the top of Nuneaton Trophies division three after they beat Ambleside Res 3-1. Neil Morris, Kevin Lamb and Kevin Ramshaw all found the net for Lloyds, Chris Rowe replied for Ambleside. Mount Pleasant leap frogged over Attleboro Arms after beating them 1-0.  

Hartshill Manor stay top of Heartland Evening News division four, but only on goal difference from Royal Oak Bedworth. Despite dominating their game with Attleboro Sports, Sports keeper Anthony Perry produced a string of fine saves to keep Manor out an earn his side a point in a 0-0 draw. Second placed Royal Oak Bedworth took advantage as they beat Ford Oak Res 3-0. Dale Oddy, Richard Seymour and Lewis Halfacree found the net for Royal Oak. Bedworth Liberals Res sit in pole position for the third promotion spot after they beat Baddesley Red Lion 3-1. Gary Smart scored twice on his debut for PNW Athletico as they beat Anker Inn 3-2. On a good day for goalkeepers, PNW keeper Chris Pete saved an Anker penalty in the last minute to ensure his team took all three points. Jamie Horton scored the third PNW goal direct from a free kick, while Adam Broadhurst and Andy Azopardi scored the Anker replies.  

Goals galore at the top of Mortgage Advice Agency division five as the top three sides scored twenty-five between them. FC Gallery stay top thanks to a 7-0 win over Bedworth Miners Arms. Three points behind are Hayrick. They beat Yenton Res 10-1 with John Arshad scoring seven times. Richard Gallagher 2 and Rob Gilchrist completed the scoring. Nuneaton Riley’s skipper Craig Roberts scored twice for his team as they stay a pointy further adrift in fourth. His two goals helped Rileys to an 8-1 win over Wentworth warriors. Jail House are fourth but they lost round after being held to a 1-1draw with Stockingford Sports Res. Alan Smith scored the Jail House goal.  

Don't forget to get the Heartland Evening News

Wednesday is the day for the N.D.S.F.L Round up !