The final issues in the League Season were finally decided in two crucial midweek fixtures.
Firstly a Cup-weary ARYPT1 edged past a stubborn Binley by two goals to one. Congratulations to ARYPT1 on a sparkling season- bettering their great League win of last season. Anyone who’s played against them will testify to the quality of their football and their two trophies this season come as no surprise. They will be an even bigger scalp next season.
Binley remained nervous of relegation then for a short period until the result came through from the Hinckley Baptist/Cov Saints match. Cov Saints overcame Hinckley by six goals to two. That result condemned Hinckley to an immediate return to Division 2. The top flight will certainly bid them a sad farewell. Apart from being a really good humoured bunch, they have the best pitch in the League!
Well done also to Cov Saints, who are on course for a top three finish. Don’t forget that this is the team that was languishing in the depths of Division 2 two years ago. All credit to them for becoming one of the really strong teams in the League.
A big congratulations this weekend to Elim & Paint The Town Red, both of whom clinched promotion to Division 1. Well done to both teams! In Division 1, Binley’s victory over Cathedral has sealed their fate and they’ll be playing in Division 2 next season. They’ll be joined by one of Hinckley Baptist/Binley or Lowfors depending on how the remaining fixtures play out.
ARYPT head with seeming invinciblity towards a League and Cup Double. But they were made to fight all the way to cup success by a spirited Sporting Club Myton in the Cup Final at Cryfield Grange today.
Following a goaless first half, where ARYPT had the better of the chances the game spang into life in a pivotal ten minute spell. Firstly Myton crafted a well worked goal finished well by Stu James after fantastic approach play by Andy Armitage. Then Sam Smith of Myton saw yellow then red in quick succession, reducing the Leamington team to ten men. However Myton’s young keeper continued to keep ARYPT at bay as the minutes drained away, only for ARYPT to snatch an equaliser at the death following a close range shot that deflected in off the post. Myton reflected ruefully that they were two minutes from glory.
Extra time came and with the man advantage, most of the initiative came came from ARYPT. The game stayed level into the middle of the second half of extra time, until a succession of a corner followed by a long throw undid the defiant Myton rearguard. The clinching third goal came shortly afterwards, with Myton pushing forward and ARYPT taking advantage of the break. The move and effectively the game was finished off with a stunning strike into the far corner of the net.
The game was closely fought between two footballing sides and was a great credit to the League. ARYPT are the team to beat next season.
Well they left it late (the match that is) but Sporting Myton and Meredith Road cooked up a treat this morning in the second Cup Semi-Final.
Myon took a first half lead, 1-0, only to be pegged back by Meredith with a penalty kick. Myton then scored again, only to be taken back to level again by Meredith late on. Myton were not finished and scored what was surely to be a winner in injury time…only for Meredith to score again to force the game into extra time.
No further goals and penalties ensued. Myton eventually prevailed thanks to goalkeeping heroics.
A fantastic match and all credit to Meredith for making it such a game.