Clay's way a winner for Club
Avocet Dye & Chemical Co Brighouse SFL
Top Club produced a fantastic display at a soggy Field Lane to dispose of Old Pond in the second Echo Cup quarter final on Sunday – a performance that certainly belied their lowly league position.
In conditions which caused mayhem for defenders, the early exchanges saw the match quickly shifting from end to end with chances galore as the attacking players looked on top.
Pond struck the woodwork four times in a frantic first period, including a long ranger from George Brown in a match that was eventually brought to life by a cracking Adam Booth goal for Top Club.
The former Pond player whipped the ball into the top corner from out wide for, without doubt, the goal of the game.
The Rastrick side doubled their advantage shortly afterwards – man of the match Jamie Clay notching from close range, the first of four from the in form centre forward.
Richard Rothwell pulled one back for Pond with a cross-come-shot to get the Hove Edge side back in the game but Top Club's two goal advantage was restored just before the break.
Brown's last gasp challenge in the area connected with player not ball, allowing Paul Moorhouse to fire home the resultant penalty kick.
First goal in the second half was always going to be important and when Clay broke clear to grab his second the writing was on the wall for the visitors.
He broke twice more to put the game well and truly out of reach, before Michael Barlow slipped Paul Taylor in for little more than a consolation for Pond.
Without the heroics in goal of Ben Briggs things could have been worse for Pond who suffered a very bad day at the office.
Their misery was compounded when Booth hammered home the games last goal to leave an impressive scoreline of 7-2 to Top Club.
In the league Martins Nest and Dusty Miller played out a real thriller at Lane Head, with home side Nest squandering a commanding lead, before stealing the three points in the dying seconds.
Two from Dan Reddy and a Jason Armstrong goal saw Nest cruise into a comfortable lead but a Calvin Lee inspired Dusty fought back to sensationally snatch the lead themselves with the clock ticking down.
Lee grabbed a hat-trick and Anthony McManamin his first for the club as the Hove Edge team produced a stunning fightback, but their joy was short-lived.
Andrew Lumb equalised for Nest before a Dusty player handled on the line in the last seconds. Referee Khan awarded the inevitable spot kick and Reddy fired home a dramatic winner to wrestle back the three points with a 4-3 victory for Nest and in doing so completed his hat-trick.
The only other match to survive another week of persistent rain saw league leaders Eastfield defeat New Spitfire at Field Lane.
On the back of a hiding last time out, Spitfire boss Ashley Suttle was pleased with his players despite defeat, after they made the title leaders work hard for the points.
Dave Phelan was assured as ever in defence for 'Field but made his first mark on the game at the other end when he connected powerfully from a corner to open the scoring. Full back Craig Gabbitas then netted the goal of the game as he weaved through the Spitfire defence before dispatching with the quality of a centre forward.
At the other end Craig Suttle struck a post as the home side continued to battle well – but midfield anchor man Darren Hill indulged in a foray forward and made it three with a rare goal.
The name Collins was inevitably once more on the scoresheet as Ryan stole in at the back post to settle the tie at 4-0 to Eastfield who look well placed on maximum points after eight matches, with an even more ominous +40 goal difference already.
The matches between Rastrick C & AC and Pack Horse and Triangle versus Junction fell foul of the weather.
Brighouse Sunday Football League fixtures for December 6 (10.30): Pack Horse v Martins Nest, Savile Park; Eastfield v Sun Inn, Field Lane No 2; Old Pond v Triangle, Lane Head No 1; Rastrick C & AC v Juntion, Carr Green Rec; Top Club v New Spitfire, Field Lane No 1
Full back Craig Gabbitas then netted the goal of the game as he weaved through the Spitfire defence before dispatching with the quality of a centre forward.
At the other end Craig Suttle struck a post as the home side continued to battle well – but midfield anchor man Darren Hill indulged in a foray forward and made it three with a rare goal.
The name Collins was inevitably once more on the scoresheet as Ryan stole in at the back post to settle the tie at 4-0 to Eastfield who look well placed on maximum points after eight matches, with an even more ominous +40 goal difference already.
The matches between Rastrick C & AC and Pack Horse and Triangle versus Junction fell foul of the weather.
Brighouse Sunday Football League fixtures for December 6 (10.30): Pack Horse v Martins Nest, Savile Park; Eastfield v Sun Inn, Field Lane No 2; Old Pond v Triangle, Lane Head No 1; Rastrick C & AC v Juntion, Carr Green Rec; Top Club v New Spitfire, Field Lane No 1
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 24 May 2012
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