FA Cup Success for 3 EMCFL sides...
Pride of place today goes to our three sides Gresley, Holbrook Sports & Radcliffe Olympic who all overcame opposition from the higher reaches of the National League System to move into the next round of The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON.
Gresley faced Quorn from the Evostick Northern Premier League at the Moat Ground and routed their opponents 4-0 with goals from Spence and a hat-trick from Woodhall.
For the second year running Holbrook were paired against local rivals Belper Town also from the Evostick Northern League and once again belied their status in the football pyramid to record a 3-1 win at Belpers Christchurch Meadow ground, 2 goals from Moon and one from Broadhurst once again meant the bragging rights went to Holbrook.
Radcliffe Olympic entertained Wisbech of the Eastern Counties League for the first ever FA Cup fixture at their Wharf Lane Ground. Wisbech in the previous round had put out EMCFL side St Andrews 5-0 but crowd of 166 saw a goal from Richardson blunt the visitors hopes to send home the locals in the crowd happy.
In the other games involving side from the EMCFL in the The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON. Barrow Town went down 2-1 at Bottesford Town with goal from Fitzpatrick for the Riversiders.
Borrowash Victoria travelled to Nottingham with high hopes of pulling off a shock but they also went down 2-1. A Demidh goal their only consolation.
Gedling Miners Welfare faced Barwell from the Midlands Football Alliance and despite a brave effort fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat.
On the league front Ellistown continued their impressive start to the season by recording their fifth straight win. Goals from Lewis, Marvin & Johnson sent them to a convincing 3-1 win at Gedling Town. Speires replied for Gedling.
Thurnby after suffering an opening day defeat have now recorded four wins on the trot after scraping home 3-2 against St. Andrews. The Leagues leading goalscorer Smith notched his third hat-trick of the campaign for Thurnby with goals from Duale Gunn replying for St Andrews.
Bardon Hill are hot on the tails of the leading pair after recording a 3-0 win against Anstey Nomads at Bardon Close. Benson and two from Duffy were on the score sheet for bardon.
Graham St Prims bounced back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Radford in the League cup in mid-week to put more pressure on Hinckley with a resounding 5-1 win. Goals from C.Briggs, S.Collins, R.Fretwell & J.Slack (2) gave Mark Websters side a much needed victory.
What a difference a win can do for your confidence. Following their midweek win at Graham St Prims in the League Cup Radford made the short trip to Greenwood Meadows and pulled off a well deserved win. Playing into a strong wind which was blowing straight down the ground Radford scored the all important goal in the first half from D.Gordon. This followed a hat-trick scored in the midweek win. This was a disappointing result for the home side who after their midweek win over Gresley must have fancied a win against a Radford side who had failed to pick up a point in their previous three league games.
Holwell Sports and Heanor Town fought out a 1-1 draw at Welby Road. 1st half goals from Holwells S.Smith and Heanors J.Hodgson ensured a share of thepoints for both sides,
Ibstock's early season blues are a thing of the past having posted consecutive victories. Bottom club and winless Blackwell Miners Welfare were the latest victims of the home sides upturn in form. Goals from R.Louca and D.Smith secured the points for the home side.
Author Dave Lumley
