Carpet Munchers 3 FC Kronenborg 7

Carpet Munchers FC (2)3 [Lee Hopkinson 2, Stephen Woods] Kronenburg (3)7

Squad – Iain Wilson, Lee Hopkinson, Rob Danson, Stephen Woods, Tony Albonese

With a weakened team, Munchers put in a superb performance and but for some amazing saves by the Kronenburg ‘keeper they would have probably taken at least a point from this game.

Stephen Woods was desperately unlucky not to give Munchers the lead when his shot hit the underside of the bar, and although Kronenburg established a two-goal lead, Munchers’ neat passing always troubled the opposition. Lee Hopkinson scored either side of a third Kronenburg goal, and at half time there was only a single goal between the sides, with Stephen Woods, Rob Danson and Tony Albonese all coming close to scoring.

Iain Wilson showed that the goalkeeping skill is a family trait, following up a solid first half with some excellent saves early in the second half, though he could do nothing to prevent a fourth goal. Lee then hurt a foot in a strong challenge and had to take over in goal, as Munchers had no substitute. Iain turned from goal-stopper to goal-provider with a back-heel to Stephen, but tiredness finally took its toll, and despite some brave saves by Lee and a never-give-up attitude by the rest of the team, Kronenburg scored three late goals to give the final score line a flattering look for them.

Carpet Munchers 5 MWFC 9

Carpet Munchers FC (1)5 [Andrew Dignan, Chris Elliott 2, Tony Albanese 2] MWFC (2)9

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Lee Hopkinson, Tony Albonese, Andrew Dignan

Munchers produced one of their worst performances ever, against a very beatable side who had a stand-in goalkeeper. Despite having at least twice as many attempts on goal as their opponents, most were tame efforts that didn’t trouble the ‘keeper, whereas in contrast, Craig Wilson had to be at his very best on numerous occasions when the Munchers defence gifted opportunities to their opponents.

There were no goals at all in the first quarter of the game, although it seemed only a matter of time before Munchers would take the lead, but the opening goal came at the other end. Craig saved the first shot, the rebound was lashed back against the post, and with the Munchers defence static, the second rebound was hammered into the net. Shortly afterwards, it was 2-0, but with Andrew Dignan pulling a goal back just before half time, and Chris Elliott equalising shortly after the second half had begun, fortunes swung back in favour of Munchers.

Just when it seemed as if Munchers were getting on top, they conceded two quick goals from awful passes, and although Tony Albanese reduced the arrears again, more bad defending saw MWFC score a further five goals. Late in the game, Chris and Tony scored to at least give the final score line an air of respectability, but this was a game that the team will want to forget about as quickly as possible.

Hawkings 4 K-Town 4

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (0)4 [Andrew Dignan, Ric Elliott, Stephen Woods, Iain Wilson] K Town (4)4

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Richard Elliott, Andrew Dignan, Stephen Woods

As usual, these two teams produced a great game, with nothing between the sides. K Town took the lead from a deflected Karl Robinson free kick, and he struck another rocket shot shortly afterwards to double K Town’s lead. Hawkings had plenty of the ball, and almost pulled a goal back, but immediately Fraz was clear to make it 3-0. Just before half time, Karl completed his hat trick, and at 0-4 anything other than a heavy defeat for Hawkings seemed highly unlikely.

Hawkings took the game to K Town on the restart, and got their reward when Andrew Dignan scored with a shot into the corner. When Ric Elliott made it 2-4, you could see Hawkings spirits rise as K Town heads fell, and it was no surprise when Stephen Woods made it 3-4. The equaliser came from Iain Wilson, and both Chris Elliott and Iain Wilson came close to getting what at half time had seemed a highly unlikely winner. A draw was a fair result, though, and it took several fine late saves from man of the match Craig Wilson to ensure that justice was done and both sides took a deserved point from the game.

Carpet Munchers 13 Bar Stewards 4

Carpet Munchers FC(5)13 [Richard Elliott 4, Chris Elliott 3, Iain Wilson 3, Tony Albonese 2, Stephen Woods 1] Bar Stewards (0)4

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Richard Elliott, Stephen Woods, Tony Albonese

The new season began with a game against one of the relegated sides, and it eventually finished in a comfortable victory for Munchers. In the first half, the sides were very evenly matched, with Stewards quick approach stifling Munchers’ scoring opportunities. However, as a result of passing the ball about well, Munchers ended the half 5-0 ahead, Rick Elliott and a Chris Elliott hat-trick getting the first four and Iain Wilson adding the fifth when he ran on to meet a Craig Wilson throw-out straight down the middle, turning the ball on and past the Stewards’ ‘keeper.

The second half began with a complete reversal of fortunes, and it took a couple of spectacular Craig Wilson saves to keep the five-goal margin intact. However, he jarred his elbow making one of those saves, and despite continuing to play well throughout the rest of the game, he wasn’t as mobile or agile as previously. 5-0 quickly became 5-2, and although Tony Albonese added a sixth, Stewards came back to make it 6-3.

At that point, the game could have gone either way, but the last ten minutes saw Munchers running away with the game. Stephen Woods, who had been solid at the back, netted the seventh goal to open the floodgates, and a fine Iain Wilson brace made it 9-3. Rick Elliott, who has been getting forwards much more just recently, scored three quick goals from the right wing and Tony Albonese made it 13-3 before Stewards scored the game’s final goal with just seconds remaining.

Hawkings 8 Ribble Plate FC 4

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (3)8 [Iain Wilson 2, Chris Elliott 4, Andrew Dignan 2] Ribble Plate FC (3)4

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Richard Elliott, Andrew Dignan, Stephen Woods

This was a much more comfortable victory than the score suggests, with only the Ribble ‘keeper and the woodwork preventing Hawkings from scoring twenty goals. Iain Wilson had two netbound efforts superbly saved before he gave Hawkings the early lead, yet with their first goal attempt, Plate equalised. Chris Elliott restored the lead, but after totally dominating the game, Hawkings found themselves 2-3 behind seconds before half time. The teams went in level when a Chris Elliott shot was only half-stopped by the ‘keeper, the ball rolling on into the net.

Hawkings were even more dominant in the second half, and after Iain Wilson restored the lead, goals came frequently, with Chris Elliott and Andrew Dignan netting a pair each. The final goal went to Plate, but overall it was a fine performance by Hawkings.