Hungry Lions eye cup glory
It is proving a great first season for new boys Beacon Lions as they secured a much sought after cup ticket this week.
The Beacon League newcomers, who play their home games at Coseley Sports Centre, reached the final of the Wilkes Tranter Chell Cup with a well-deserved 4-1 semi-final success over Gornal-based Fiveways Inn, writes Dave McLean.
Three-goal Jason Wood emerged the hero for the Lions, while Ryan Thomas was also on target. Nathan Maxwell replied.
Beacon’s test in the final, set for AFC Wulfrunians’ ground on May 2, is none other than Chell Cup holders Dynamo Dudley, who have still to face Kurdish United in a rearranged last-four clash this weekend.
Dynamo kept alive their hopes of retaining this piece of silverware when sharing 10 goals in a thrilling last group qualifier against an equally-impressive Codsall Station outfit.
Having raced into a 3-0 lead, Dynamo gradually found themselves up against it as Codsall stormed back to level by the break. The Station then appeared to have their opponents on the rack as they opened up a crucial two-goal advantage.
However, with just 10 minutes remaining, Shawn Devonport cut the deficit for Dynamo, who required a draw to clinch second spot and progress to the knockout stages of the competition and deny Codsall.
In a tense finale, and with just two minutes to go, Rion Francis-Mills snatched Dynamo’s vital equaliser and so the holders will take on Kurdish in the other semi-final on Sunday.
Joe Lawley, with a brace, and Rhys Harper were also on the mark for Dynamo, with two-goal Liam Davies, Dom Leason, Chris Campbell and Mike Dwight keeping things close for Codsall.
Bloxwich Rangers Under-21s remain firm favourites for the Paycare Development Division crown despite suffering only their second league setback of the campaign against old rivals Trysull Tigers.
In what was Bloxwich’s final game, the Tigers spoiled the party, running out 3-2 victors to move second in the table, six points down on Bloxwich with two matches to play.
However, in addition to winning both remaining fixtures, against FC Premier (March 31) and Coven United (April 14), Trysull would also have to boost their goal difference by 13 clear goals.
In their latest outing, Trysull kept up the chase as Steve Rickhuss gave them an interval lead, only for Bloxwich to level from the penalty spot through Ethan Mannion.
Trysull’s advantage was restored by Will Spruce and Rickhuss made it 3-1 from the spot. With 15 minutes remaining, a low shot from Josh Edwards boosted Bloxwich’s hopes of forcing a draw, and so clinching the title, but the Tigers held them at bay in the final moments to claim a memorable win.
FC Premier, who are a point down on Trysull in third spot, also with two league games to complete, kept alive their hopes of league honours with a 4-0 success at Coven – goals from Kasen Peace (three) and Curtis Bullock.
On the Redbox Signmakers Beacon Championship front, Shere Punjab Wolves are still hunting a top-three finish after running out worthy 5-2 winners at third-placed Kurdish United.
Arun Sanghara (two), Karzan Gresay, Riz Akhtar and Jas Bandhal found the target for Punjab, with two-goal Wyra Mohamed responding.
In the end-of-season Simon Cater Invitation Trophy, Cannock United made it two wins in two with a 3-1 triumph at AFC Sporting Gornal, as Dan Mayo, Chris Murdoch and Dan Horton shared the scoring.
It was two wins in three in the same competition for Dudley Rangers United at newcomers Claregate Reserves, the former edging a 2-1 success.
AFC Springfield were three goals to the good at home to Penn Rovers, who hit back to level through Michael Craig (two) and Declan Aubrey.
However, Springfield grabbed a late winner to take the spoils by the odd goal in seven.
The trio of Ben Berrows (two), Steve Cater and Mo Umaad Rehman helped clinch Springfield’s opening trophy fixture.
The Beacon League’s newly-formed Veterans Over-30s section is proving a big winner, especially for Orton Vale who retained their 100 per cent record with a second victory.
They beat Gornal Athletic 5-2, with Karl Rogers cracking four. Ian Nicholls also chipped in for the winners, with Lee Witton and Ryan Edwards replying.
In the same ‘friendly’ division, AFC Bradmore were involved in a tight affair at Barley Mow, before securing victory with three goals in the final half-hour through James Thomas, Alex Bradin and Travers Wallett.
