Week ending 3rd February by Mason Norton

Firstly, a bit of an apology here. Somehow, the midweek game the week before last in the Everards Brewery Premier Division between Aylestone Park Reserves and Thurnby Rangers escaped our attention. Let's put that right- Thurnby looked like they were going to cause an upset, taking the lead after four minutes at the Linwood through Connor Dixon, but Park hit back, and went in 3-1 up at the break, and after an entertaining second half, eventually triumphed 5-3, Aaron Preston (2), Marley Spencer, Lewis Turland and sub Dan Henfrey scoring, whilst a second-half brace from Colby White made things look a bit more respectable at the Rangers end of the scoreboard. Apologies to supporters of both clubs for this omission from last week's Ramble. 


So onto this weekend, and a full programme in the Everards Brewery Premier Division. Allexton & New Parks continue to cruise at the top, with Liam Bloxham, Ryan Charles and sub Ash Jones scoring in a 3-1 win against Highfield Rangers who were on target through Seon Shippley. Their in-running lead continues to grow as well. Aylestone Park Reserves, who had to hang on with 10 men last week in their cup win at North Kilworth, remain second, but had to come from behind to rescue a point on Saturday at home to Hathern, who took the lead through Jake Maden, before Thabo Makombe equalised for Aylestone. Park are not in serious title contention, being 12 points behind ANP, having played four games more than them. 


Desford & Caterpillar are third, three points behind Park, with four games in hand on them- level on games with Allexton, but 15 points behind with nine games left of the League campaign. They too had to come from behind, as Delroy Chikuza scored for hosts FC Khalsa on Saturday, who led 1-0, before a Connor McGahan's double and Louis Rood's strike in the second half gave Desford a 3-1 victory. Hathern round off the top four, but are now level on points with Ellistown, who have a game in hand on Hathern, after a 5-2 win at home to Magna 73 on Saturday, Tom Vyce running through the visitors with a hat-trick, and Luke Higgins and Ronnie Morley also scoring, with Jake Smith and Archie Allen scoring consolations for Magna.


At the bottom of the table, Ashby Ivanhoe Knights had their game at home to Burbage & Huncote postponed due to an unfit pitch. Pitch problems at the NFU Ground are plaguing Knights this year, with their last home game being a County Cup defeat to Heather St John on October 3- every other home game pencilled in since then has been postponed, leaving the Knights with having played four games less than anyone else in the division. Even allowing for that, and a home-heavy fixture list in the remainder of the season, they are 11 points adrift of safety, and defeat in the Cup last week at Div1 outfit Sutton Bonington indicates that they have a mountain to climb, both in terms of form and fixtures remaining. 


Barrow Town's awful season continues, still seven points adrift, with only one game in hand on Khalsa, and by far and away the division's worst goal difference, an 8-1 defeat at Sileby Town taking the tally to minus 62. Shaun Smith smashed home four goals, and Szymon Donnerstag, Jan Meiwald, Conner Packwood and Mitch Woodbine shared the rest. 


Three points above of Khalsa are Thurnby Rangers and Friar Lane & Epworth, but as the season enters its run-in, both sides look almost safe. Thurnby again took an early lead away at Cottesmore thanks to an early strike from Ephraim Williams, but a Mark Tinsley hat-trick put Cottesmore 3-1 up at the break, which was how it finished at the end, both teams finishing with 10 men after a second half scuffle. Lane, for their part, nearly pulled off a comeback at home to AFC North Kilworth, but came up just short losing 4-3, Reece Hookway (2), Taylor Sharpe and Joseph Williams scoring for NK, Shay Allen, Chris Smith and Gary Warren for Friar Lane.


The programme in Everards Brewery Division One was much-reduced owing to County Cup and Chairman's Trophy requirements, but both of the fixtures played had impacts at either end of the table. Leicester Atletico recorded a 4-2 win at home to Dunton & Broughton United, Ilyaas Hussein, Mohamed Hogsade (2) and sub Malcolm Onochie scoring for Atletico, Dunton equalising twice through Ben Jackson and 2nd half Ryan Goldthorpe With DBU fading, it looks as though the race of the second automatic promotion spot is between Atletico and Hinckley LR Reserves. At the other end of the table, Holwell Sports Reserves got themselves three vital points in the relegation fight with a 2-0 win at home to Birstall United Reserves, Brook Isherwood and Tom Concar scoring both goals in the first half, Holwell now seven points clear of the drop zone. 


Midweek sees Aylestone Park Reserves host Magna 73 in the Prem (we promise not to forget this time!), and a full fixture list in the Premier on Saturday, with just one game in Division One, as Atletico go to Barrow Town Reserves.