Week ending 30th September by Mason Norton

There's not always much action in the League on County Cup weekend, but a number of byes for the first round meant that there were a smattering of games across both Divisions 1 and 2, and as luck had it, both divisions had top-of-the-table games.

Firstly to Everards Brewery Division One, where there were some changes to the table in midweek after a disciplinary meeting. Rather than deduct points from Barrow Town Reserves' tally, the Management Committee have instead punished their failure to fulfil against Anstey Town with a fine and a walkover, meaning the three points were awarded to Anstey Town. Barrow also failed to fulfil against Kirby Muxloe Reserves, and whilst the table reflects a walkover, that is expected to be confirmed by the discipline panel.
It was those two sides who faced each other at Kirby on Saturday in the clash at the top, and there were fireworks. Kirby took the lead in the first half through Michael Emmanuel, but Anstey fought back in the second half, and took the points with goals from Harry Burton, Dan Page and Casey Richardson, whilst Kirby lost their discipline and eventually finished the game with nine men on the pitch after referee Mr Swan issued two reds for second bookable offences. That leaves Town top with seven wins from seven, nine points clear of second-placed Dunton & Broughton United, though DBU have two games in hand, having been in County Cup duty this weekend.

At the other end of the table, Barrow Reserves remain pointless and bottom, whilst Sporting Markfield are still searching for their first win, going down 3-0 at Birstall United Reserves this weekend, Ash Jordan, Kian Robinson and Alfie Shipley on target for Birstall. The other Div1 game saw Sutton Bonington continue to pull away from the bottom after a 2-1 win at Hinckley LR Reserves. Jack Insley gave SB the lead early on, and although Chris Jones equalised for Hinckley before the break, Jordan Crosland secured the points for the visitors on their long trip back home.

The top-of-the-table clash in Everards Brewery Division Two took place at the Emerald Centre, where St Patricks and Loughborough Students Development both cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. Angelo Piscitelli gave the students the lead in the first half, but they were unable to capitalise further, and Brady Doherty equalised in the second period for Pats. The Students remain three points clear of Pats, who have a game in hand but an inferior goal difference, although neither side- nor anyone else in Div2 for that matter- can go on to complete the Grand Slam this term. The only other game in Div2 saw Melton Town Aacdemy win 2-1 against Loughborough, the game moving away from Judgemeadow to Beaumont Park, Oliver Borland and Luke Coleman for Melton, Owen Clarke for Luffs, all the teams in the division staying where they were in the morning.