FENSTANTON 0-2 ELSWORTH

ELSWORTH TAKE THE SPOILS IN LOCAL DERBY

Elsworth went into the local derby looking to bounce back from the defeat they suffered last weekend. Playing local rivals for bragging rights is normal enough of an incentive to win a game of football, but the manner in which Elsworth lost to Lakenheath combined with the Fenstanton managers ill timed comments made sure that the away side were fired up. On too many occasions Elsworth have been a side that play attractive football and often get found out in horrible weather, poor pitches and teams that don’t try to play football. The team talk before the game saw a change in ethos, Elsworth have decided that sometimes there is a need to win ugly, to launch long throw ins into the oppositions area and to bring down players when they are bearing down on goal!

Danny Watkins was struck down with Flu, his place went to the fit again Chris Roberts , Steve Rush moved from left wing to left full back and Gal Baillie moved from centre half to right midfield in an attempt to get the talented player more influence on the game.

The players listened to Manager Matt Brading’s words prior to kick off and set about the Fenstanton team, tackles were flying in, 1st and second balls all went to the away side. Elsworth took the lead half way through the first half, Chris Roberts found Gal Bailie in space down the right and his pin point cross was left by Brading for Ollie Barnard to slam home from close range. The middle of the park was a ferociously contested affair with each team playing three central midfielders, this is where Elsworth gained the advantage with the talented Gavin Thomas, the leadership of new Captain Richard Devoy and the industry of Stu Turner. Half time arrived and the away side made their way back into the changing rooms , the talk was all positive but the need for a second goal to kill the game off would be vital. Chances came and went in the second half, elsworth’s defence was superb throughout and the visitors were unlucky to have a penalty denied for a clear handball. It was left to the 85th minute for Elsworth to score their second goal, a throw in from the right found Brading in space who crossed for Barnard to score his second of the game and his 11th in the league this season.

TEAM:- LEWIS, ROBERTS, RUSH, TESTER, BROWNE, TURNER, DEVOY(capt), THOMAS, BARNARD, BRADING, BAILLIE. subs PAINE, WILSON, BROWNE Jnr

HUNTINGDON UTD 2-3 ELSWORTH SPORTS

ELSWORTH EDGE LOCAL DERBY

Elsworth travelled to Huntingdon for a chance to progress into the 1/4 Finals of the Creake Charity Shield and were forced into some changes after Steve 'sat-nav' Rush & his partner in crime Stu Turner were absent when the team sheets were handed in!

With the pack shuffled Elsworth started brightly knocking the ball around and showing the gulf in class between the two teams. Huntingdon counted themselves lucky in the 10th minute when the home sides Goalkeepers deliberately handled the ball outside his area and got away without even a warning. Brading continued his recent form from free-kicks by rattling the bar with a right footed effort. Elsworth took the lead moments later, Gav Thomas was back in the starting lineup for the 1st time this season and showed the Elsworth fans what they had been missing with a classy finish from just inside the area. A short while after Elsworth found themselves doubling their lead after Richard Devoy scored his 1st goal for the club. The home side had appealed for an offside flag that never arrived and DeVoy's Cross come shot found its way into the bottom corner as the home side had stopped.

Elsworth went into half-time looking good for their lead with Gal Baillie playing superbly back at his old club and being supported well by Graham Tester, Jon Scotland and Dan Watkins.

In the 70th minute Brading scored Elsworth's 3rd with a composed finished and Huntingdon scored 2 consolation goals but it was never enough.

TEAM:- LEWIS, SCOTLAND, WATKINS, TESTER, BAILIE, DEVOY, BARNARD, THOMAS, PAINE, BRADING, READMAN. SUBS: TURNER, RUSH