Last updated at 12:22, Wednesday, 09 November 2011

The Carlisle Sunday league fourth division clash between third placed Carlisle Spartans and Upperby FC, who started just one point behind, was expected to be a closely fought affair but the latter had other ideas in a clinical 8-1 victory.

Upperby's Dale Blaylock marked by Spartan's Michael McClelland

They attacked from the start as Ben Read fired past the post from just outside the box, then went ahead in the 10th minute. Alan Maxfield seized on to Matthew Graham’s pass and cooly beat the advancing keeper. They continued to dictate matters and increased their lead in the 27th minute. Spartans’ defence failed to deal with keeper Liam Barnes’ long clearance and Maxfield was on hand to net his second and a full-stretch save by Spartans’ keeper Rob Woodcock denied Luke Carruthers after he was set up by Karl Dodd.

Spartans were again rocked five minutes before the break when Graham buried his shot into the bottom corner to finish off a sweeping move. It began to look promising for Spartans early in the second half as Phil Wynne beat the offside trap, only to volley wide of the goal then carved Upperby’s defence open with a great pass to Simon Young, who blasted over the top.

Their pressure was rewarded with a well-taken goal by Ashley Hadden in the 50th minute but their joy only lasted five minutes as Upperby were soon back on the offensive and Carruthers’ long ball found Maxfield, who made no mistake with his finish.

Upperby were now well on top and keeper Woodcock needed to pull off three great saves before Dodd claimed Upperby’s fifth in the 67th minute.

Eight minutes later came the goal of the match by Graham who evaded challenges from several defenders during a weaving run from the halfway line.

Maxfield was a constant thorn in Spartans’ side and continued his inspired performance with a fine individual effort in the 73rd minute. Then, five minutes before the end, Read cleverly worked his way through to calmly shoot home and complete the rout.

Crown Stanwix and Pirelli drew 2-2. Stuart Ferguson and Sean Graham netted for Stanwix while Jack Patterson notched both for Pirelli. After crushing Ship Inn 10-4 last week Border Reiver found themselves 3-1 down in the return fixture before recovering to share the spoils 3-3.

Unisun “B” have shaken off their early problems, winning their fifth game on the trot 6-2 over BSW Timber with the help of Richart Hart’s four and Yazz Majic’s brace. David Baker and Daniel Jeffrey were Timber’s marksmen.

Club Victoria Athletic lost 4-0 to Thompsons FC, who netted through Luke Dryden, Lee Aldersey,Phil Gilpin and Carl McLean.

Beehive were 4-1 victors at home to Second Division strugglers Great Corby. Scott Carruthers converted a first-minute penalty after Andy Oliver had been fouled and Craig Bell’s free-kick from the halfway line completely deceived keeper Lee Haugh for the second. Shaun Allonby replied but Kevin Milburn restored his side’s two-goal advantage and substitute Stephen Ward widened the gap finishing off a superb move involving Bell, Carruthers and Barry Harper.

Warwick Wanderers pipped Upperby Park 3-2. Richard Ellwood, Tom Friend and an own goal made up their tally while Jon Reay and Jordy Cowley responded.

Pippins lost 5-3 to Walkabout and Longtown were overwhelmed 7-2 by Parkland.

In the Third Division, St Aidans beat Wheatsheaf 5-1. David Murphy netted two and was joined on the scoresheet by Dean Tingey, Elliot Stevens and David Armstrong. Mark Glaister responded.

Ex-Servicemen were 4-2 too good for Joiners. They went 2-0 up through Ousama Ben Dhaou and Gavin Nixon. After being denied by keeper Phil Harden with two super saves Joiners pulled one back. Phil Hetherington countered just before the turn. Joiners reduced the leeway midway during the second half but with five minutes left Philippo Amato’s 30 yard volley rebounded off the bar into the path of Nixon who added his side’s fourth.

Despite a gallant comeback Lion & Lamb went down 6-5 at Howard FC. Carl Wilson shot the hosts ahead only for Tom Rudd to equalise but strikes by Jay Gallagher (2), Steve Taylor and Chris Tiffen put Howard well on top at half-time. The visitors turned things around on the resumption and squared matters only to be caught on the break as Taylor bagged his second.

Moorhouse just held on to their 100 per cent record with a 2-1 success at UMI Exiles, who led at the interval through Tim Jackson. Chris Batey made it 1-1 after sixty-five minutes then Mike Ballantyne saved Jackson’s penalty kick just before Dan Gardner notched the 85th winner. Ballantyne rescued Moorhouse again with time running out pulling off a finger-tip save from his brother Russell’s screamer.

In the Premier Division Howard Rangers came from behind three times to sink Greyhound 5-3. The winners’ marksmen were Jonathan Ashurst, Martyn Hall, Aiden Hanley, Jason Betts and Scott Cameron. Lee Coulthard, Mark Graham and Darren Creighton found the net for Greyhound.

In their County Cup tie at Gretna SC holders Brampton held a 1-0 lead at the halfway stage thanks to Elliott Bell then the home side squared matters and went in front in extra time only for Andy McKinnell to snatch a controversial equaliser one minute from the end. After Gretna hit the bar twice in the penalty shoot-out Brampton went through 4-1.

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 09 November 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk