Carpet Munchers 12 Spartans 5

Carpet Munchers FC (6)12 [Andrew Dignan 2, Iain Wilson 2, Callum Faulds, Rob Danson 3, Stephen Woods, Gaz Winter 2, own goal] WCFC (2)5

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Rob Danson, Stepehen Woods, Callum Faulds, Gaz Winter, Andrew Dignan

The new season began in the same way as the old one ended with a comprehensive 12-5 victory. Iain set Andy up for the first goal and added the second himself, and although Spartans pulled one back, Andy soon restored the two goal lead. After Gaz saw a shot deflected onto the bar, Callum and Rob scored to effectively secure the victory at 5-1. Spartans added a second, and it took an excellent save from Craig, who turned a shot onto the post, to prevent a third, but the last goal of the first half came from Stephen. Throughout the half, teamwork had paid off, with good passing moves complemented by effective defence, blocking almost every shot that went towards goal.

Gaz opened the scoring in the second half, ensuring all outfield players had netted, and after Spartans grabbed their third goal, Iain soon netted again after some fine footwork took him beyond the defence. Rob scored the next two goals and had a big part in the eleventh, as a defender turned the ball past his own ‘keeper while attempting to cut out Rob’s pass to Gaz. Spartans did add a couple of late goals, but it was Gaz who scored the final goal to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Carpet Munchers 12 WCFC 5

Carpet Munchers FC (6)12 [Sam Roberts 5, Luke Holden 3, Rob Danson 3, Iain Wilson] WCFC (3)5

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Rob Danson, Sam Roberts, Luke Holden

For the last game of the season, Munchers brought in two new players in Sam Roberts and Luke Holden, and they responded by scoring eight times between them. Iain and Rob played at the back for most of the game, and after an opening in which Craig had to make a couple of sharp saves, Munchers soon took control.

Sam scored the first goal, chipping the diving ‘keeper, and Luke made it 2-0 when he made space and was unmarked from a quick free kick. It was 3-0 when Iain had a shot saved and Luke followed up to net, and Sam scored a fine individual goal to make it 4-0. Munchers were in complete control, ripping the WCFC team apart with their one-touch passing, and Rob added a couple of goals before Luke hit the underside of the bar.

Towards the end of the half, Munchers relaxed a little too much and quickly conceded three goals, the third being an unlucky deflection as Iain blocked a goalbound shot.

The second half was a lot closer, with Iain often playing a lone role in defence and blocking innumerable shots. He found time to run on to Rob’s through ball to score the seventh goal, and after WCFC pulled another back, Sam made the score 8-4. WCFC hit the inside of the post before scoring their fifth goal, and although Sam made it 9-5, Craig was the busier ‘keeper, making several fine saves.

In the closing minutes, Sam scored his fifth goal of the evening and Rob and Luke completed their hat tricks to seal an emphatic 12-5 victory.

Tuesday Night Cup

Group Stages:

Ribble Plate 3-0 default win – Hawkings had just four players at the start time but Plate only had 2 due to the absurdly early kick-off time

West End 0-1 – team Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Andy Dignan, Karl Robinson – even with only four players, Hawkings should still have won this game – the ‘keeper made several amazing stops with his feet

Walton Wanderers 2-3 Ric Elliott arrived for this game and scored both goals (at 0-2 and 1-3). Hawkings have still never beaten Walton but deserved to on this occasion

Own Goals and Gaffes 2-2 - Andy scored both equalisers to secure qualification for the second stages.

Hawkings finished fourth of five teams and qualified for the plate competion

Quarter Final – Inter Minan 2-2. Hawkings took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Karl and Iain and some fine saves by Craig. Inter levelled before the end and the game went to golden goal extra time and then penalties.

Iain scored (1-0); Craig saved (1-0); Andy scored (2-0); Inter scored (2-1); Rick scored (3-1); Inter scored (3-2); Karl scored (4-2); Craig saved – won 4-2

Semi-Final – West End 4-1. A comfortable win now it was five on five, even though Hawkings had to play immediately after the victory over Inter. Karl scored two early goals, then gave away a penalty. A penalty at the other end from Andy made it 3-1 and Ric scored the fourth.

Final – FC Vernons 1-4. Hawkings ran out of energy after having to play their third straight game. Andy equalised an early goal, but then the team tried to hang on for penalties, with Craig making a succession of fine saves. However, when Vernons scored a second late on, there was no way back, despite a spirited performance against the odds.

All-in-all, good value for money but a terrible way to organise a tournament.

Hawkings 11 Da Vini Vidi Vici 13

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (4)11 [Karl Robinson 2, Iain Wilson, Stephen Woods 2, Chris Elliott 4, Andrew Dignan 2] Da Vini Vidi Vici (6)13

Squad – Simon Eason, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Rick Elliott, Stephen Woods, Andrew Dignan, Karl Robinson

Hawkings were up against the joint league leaders in the last game of the first half of the season, and though they were to lose, the only real difference between the sides was in the finishing.

Hawkings went 2-0 behind early on, the second goal resulting from a pass across the area that eluded Simon, and although Karl pulled a goal back after Stephen linked with Iain, whose pass across goal cut out all the defence, a sloppy third goal was soon conceded. Iain pulled that goal back with a neat chip over the ‘keeper from Rick’s through ball, but again the two goal deficit was immediately opened up.

Hawkings were having plenty of chances, and Iain had a shot saved after good work from Chris, before Stephen made the score 3-4. The sides traded goals for a period after this, with Hawkings always fighting to reduce a two-goal deficit. Chris scored to make it 4-5, Andy made it 5-6 just after the restart and Karl netted to make the score 6-7.

Stephen almost equalised following Iain’s through pass, but Hawkings then shipped four goals in quick succession to trail 6-11. Chris set up Andrew for the seventh goal, but another was conceded to make it 7-12, and further Da Vini shots that hit post and bar threatened to make the score embarrassing for a while.

Da Vini were clearly tiring, though, and in just a couple of minutes Stephen and Chris (with a hat trick) reduced the arrears to a single goal again. Pressing for the equaliser, Hawkings were caught out at the back again by another fine finish and the game ended in an 11-13 defeat.

Carpet Munchers 7 MWFC 13

Carpet Munchers FC (3)7 [Gaz Winter, Callum Faulds 2, Stephen Holland 2, Dan Arciniega, Iain Wilson] MWFC(7)13

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Dan Arciniega, Callum Faulds, Gaz Winter, Stephen Holland

Munchers were without Rob Danson and Stephen Woods, and with Gaz Winter returning after a long injury lay-off and Callum Faulds and Iain Wilson carrying injuries, they did well to keep in this game for as  long as they did.

They fell behind early on, but after Dan had a shot saved following good work by Stephen, Gaz equalised with a fine effort. In truth, Munchers were fortunate to be on level terms at this stage as MWFC had seen shots come back off both post and bar, as well as forcing several fine saves from Craig. MWFC took the lead again, but Munchers were level when Callum scored shortly after Dan had hit the post.

For the third time, MWFC went in front, but this time Munchers were unable to level the scores. After Iain was unlucky not to equalise following good work by Stephen, MWFC scored four quick goals, the second a very unfortunate one as Iain blocked a goalbound effort only to see the ball deflect off him and beyond Craig. Stephen did score a deserved third goal just before half time.

The second half was more even, and after MWFC scored an eighth, Dan reduced the arrears. 4-8 became 4-10 as MWFC continued to play some excellent football, although Dan had another effort saved by the ‘keeper’s legs before Callum fired home Munchers’ fifth goal. Two more fine MWFC goals, allied with another couple of shots that hit the post, failed to demoralise Munchers, and after Iain was the next to suffer at the legs of the ‘keeper, Stephen hit a good shot into the corner for the sixth goal.

Although MWFC scored again to stetch the lead to 13-6, Iain finally scored the goal he deserved to end the scoring at 7-13.

Carpet Munchers 2 Blackwood Homes 11

Carpet Munchers FC (1)2 [Rob Danson 2] Backwood Homes (5)11

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Dan Arciniega, Rob Danson, Stephen Woods

On a very hot evening, and with the game played indoors, Munchers paid the price for having no substitutes, with Homes two extra players allowing the opposition to remain fresh throughout the entire evening. Munchers almost took the lead, with Dan’s effort going just over after Stephen and Iain combined to set the chance up. Craig made a good save with his legs from Homes’ first goal attempt, while at the other end Rob was desperately unlucky with a shot that hit he bar.

It was Homes, though, who took the lead, and although Dan went close to an equaliser with a shot that hit the ‘keeper’s legs, two more goals gave Homes a 3-0 lead. Munchers had plenty of shots, but found the Homes keeper in inspired form, and although Rob did score after Dan played a free kick through to him, two more goals before half time and three shortly after gave Homes an 8-1 lead.

Munchers were still out of luck going forward, with Iain the next to be foiled by the Homes ‘keeper, and Rob hitting the post before finally getting his second goal after a move involving Dan and Stephen. After Homes scored a ninth goal, Dan hit the post when he stretched to reach Iain’s pass across the goal, and two further Homes goal gave the result a flattering look for the opposition.