Week ending 24th February by Mason Norton

The Tiger Cup action reduced the fixture list in the Everards Brewery Premier Division to four games, which then became three after Ellistown's game at home to Hathern fell victim to the weather. 


The main game was over in Rutland, where Desford & Caterpillar stayed on course for a top two finish after two penalties from Callum Brown gave them a 2-1 win at Cottesmore, the second coming in injury time at the end of the game and leading to protests from the Rutland side, who felt that the keeper had beaten the Desford attacker to the ball. Brenden Parker scored before the break for Cottesmore, Desford now behind second-placed Aylestone Park Reserves on goal difference only, and have three games in hand. 


Burbage & Huncote's hopes of a top four finish took another hit after losing 2-0 away at Highfield Rangers, Yankuba Camara and Raijaun Morris-Laing scoring the goals before half-time, Rangers moving up a spot to sixth ahead of Sileby in the only change to the morning table. The other game saw AFC North Kilworth come from behind at Magna 73 to win 2-1. Josh Lee had given Magna the lead in the first half, but NK hung in and turned the game around after the break with Toby Clauss and Joe Williams scoring in the second half to give them the points. 


In Everards Brewery Division One, Hinckley LR Reserves closed the gap to second-placed Leicester Atletico after a 3-0 win over Birstall United Reserves, Sam Carroll, Harry Smith and sub Luke Barratt on target. Road are now three points behind Atletico with a game in hand and crucially a better goal difference than Atletico. Atletico and Leicester Road now appear to be jostling for second spot behind Anstey Town, with Dunton & Broughton United fading further from promotion contention after a 3-2 defeat at home to Kirby Muxloe Reserves, who just held on, Kirby having gone in 2-0 up at half-time. Jack Gunn, sub Drew Lilleyman and an OG provided the Kirby goals, Callum Briers and Corey Nelson replying for DBU in the second half, Kirby moving up a place to fourth at Dunton's expense in the only change to the morning table, though Dunton have four games in hand on Kirby, and with Ingles Development not far behind, it's unlikely that Kirby will finish in the top four with their League campaign almost over. 


There was no change at all to the morning table in Everards Brewery Division Two, as the only game, between Sileby Town Reserves and Rothley Imperial, was postponed. With cup games being rearranged next weekend and the President's Trophy semi-finals coming up, as well as the conclusion of the Chairman's Trophy group stages, Div2 remains on hiatus until 16 March, when Loughborough Students Development welcome St Patricks to Holywell Park for the likely title decider. 


That's it for this week. You might not have noticed it with the weather of late, but the days have been getting longer, and next weekend sees the start of March. With that in mind, all kick-offs now go back to 3pm on Saturday, regardless of whether or not there are floodlights. Ramble Round returns next weekend. See you then.