This week, we had another four tight and interesting 5-a-side league games take place, with the league table starting to shape up now! There was some real crackers this week, with plenty of fireworks happening during the games and plenty of sparklers playing for the teams! This week, we had Ingleton play Newbegginers, Chipping face Light Church and at 9pm, we had Lune Valley face Wray and Capernwray play Roeburndale Rascals.
It was an 8pm game for Ingleton and Newbigginers this week. A good start to the first half from both sides leaving it very even for the first 10 mins or so. Ingleton were playing well under manager/ player Josh Whitaker. Ingleton had drafted in a new signing tonight Micheal Lawrence. After getting away from milking in good time and finally getting his boots back on in a long while he looked the part and helped his side on. But once the goal of Ingleton was unlocked by John Kelsall the goals kept on coming for Ryan Capstick’s side. The score line at half time was 6-2 to Ryan’s side with goals form John, Alex and hard man Hallam getting a pair and young Rob also getting a brace. Micheal Lawrence got his first goal for his new side and Josh Whitaker claimed the second. The second half if it was to start like the first half ended, it was going to be a goal rush for Newbeginners but Ingleton held their own and fought back well. At half time there must have been a good team talk from Josh Whit. Josh Capstick came out of net and Del went in nets. Changes for Ryan’s side so Col came out of nets and old hand Paul Capstick came on, with both making a great impact on the game. Alex went in goals and only let one goal in from Josh Capstick this half. Tom Crossdale was having a good game and not putting a foot wrong from winning tackles to driving forward and getting his shots away, but the well traveled side from up in the hills scored another 3 goals to see off Ingleton tonight with super sub Paul getting a brace, one of which deserved a gold star…..if he was still at school. And young Rob claimed another to get his hat-trick. The game finished 9-3 to Newbigginers. Another 3 points in the bag for this title chasing team! In post match chats hard man Hallam was gay delighted and Col Sowerby said it was lovely to come out of nets in the second half to help his side to a win! Col didn’t hang about as he was off for his supper with the rest off the Capstick team.
The Chipping versus Light Church game was a real cracker of a match, with very little to separate the sides. Chipping flew out of the blocks and were the better side to start with, sending the ball rocketing towards the Light Church net, but the shots were wayward, failing to spark a shower of goals. Chipping did soon take the lead after a mistake in the Light Church rear guard found its way into the net. At this point however, Light Church were finding their way back into the game, making Chipping keeper James Smith do a couple of Catherine wheels in net to keep them out. However, they soon found their way through through Josh Hogarth who hammered home for Light Church, bringing them level. Soon after, they were in the lead, Josh scoring for them to put them 2-1 up. Chipping weren’t going to let Light Church have it all their own way though and were getting a number of good chances in this very open game. Soon they drew level with Matt Slinger slinging one into the back of the net, beating the Light Church keeper, who had made a number of superb saves up to that point. However, Light Church soon took advantage of the openness of the game, with Keiron unleashing a rocket and firing home into the top corner from the halfway line. What a sparkler of a goal! Light Church rounded of the half with another goal from Josh, taking them 4-2 up at half time. Much like the disappointment of an unexploding firework, Chipping would be frustrated with the score at half time, especially after having had so many good chances to score a number of goals. Moving into the second half and chipping roared back, scoring two quick goals to bring them level. Joe Kelsall and Oscar Foot lit a bonfire in the Light Church back line and burnt through their defence to bring the scores back to 4-4. Light Church weren’t going to let Chipping have it all their own way and Keiron unleashed another beautiful rocket into the top corner again to put Light Church 5-4 up. Both sides kept chipping away at each other with Chipping grabbing another two goals to ultimately claim victory against Light Church. Firstly, Joe Kelsall got his second of the game to bring the scores level, before John Townley lit up the pitch to score the winner for Chipping. Cue the fireworks! At full time, the game ended to Chipping 6-5, a really hard fought win, with Light Church right to feel disappointed at not getting anything from the game.
Before the 9pm games, Joe Kelsall shared with everybody there. He spoke about two conversations – speaking first about Saul, reading from Acts ch.9. He shared how Saul’s life was dramatically changed and he went from killing Christians to preaching to Christians. He went on to share about Kanye West and his recent conversion. Joe shared how he used to listen to Kanye West and how his lyrics were against God. He shared how Kanye has now become a Christian and come out as being saved. Joe said how his new album is dedicated to God and he seems to have truly changed in interviews he does. Joe shared how when you come to Christ, there is a real change in your life and you turn away from the wrong things in your life. Joe closed by sharing how life can still be tough with Jesus, but he does bring meaningful change and it is both the best and most important decision you will ever make.
In the first of the 9pm games, Capernwray faced Roeburndale Rascals, in what was a real humdinger of a game. Capernwray soon took the lead through Reuben, helping Capernwray to a really strong start. Rascals were soon back level, however, as Will Huddleston fired home for them. It made for a really good start to the game, with both sides battling hard during the early stages of the game, it being played at a ferocious pace. Reuben soon scored again for Capernwray, followed by Christian, the flair of this Capernwray team was causing Rascals a lot of problems, but knowing Rascals, they wouldn’t go down without a fight – especially with Will Preece on the pitch, grabbing another goal back for Rascals before half time, meaning the scores were 3-2. Both sides took a well earned rest at half time, ready to come back out for another fast paced 20 minutes, in what could be a very important game in the race for the title and the race to finish in the top 3. Matt Dawson brought Rascals back level soon into the second half, firing home with a classy finish, before Capernwray soon extended their advantage, through the classy Christian, scoring two goals to put Capernwray 5-3 up. Both sides were battling hard, trying to find a way to secure the win or grab the draw. Rascals were awarded a penalty and dynamo Dawson stepped up to take it and fire home to bring the score back to 5-4. However, that was to be the end of the scoring during the game, with neither side able to breakthrough get another goal.
In the second 9pm game, it was a more straightforward affair, with Wray comfortably winning the game in the end. It was a tight first half, with Wray ending it 3-0, though the Lune Valley performance didn’t reflect that score line, with some great saves from their keeper. Moving into the second half, Lune Valley gave themselves a life line by scoring early on, making it 3-1. However, Wray scored another 3 goals to make it 6-1 on the night and a good win, against a tough side. Lune Valley’s place in the table isn’t reflective of their performances this season, having faced most of last seasons top 6 already.
