Leek & District Sunday Football League
VALE Hoppers made it through to the Macclesfield & District Sunday Cup semifinals when they won a penalty shoot-out 5-4 against high-flying Macclesfield Sunday League side Bruce at Back Lane Congleton.
In an excellent match, Hoppers took the lead on the halfhour when Gary Barnes scored with a well-flighted free kick.
Bruce fought back in the second half, and finally levelled 40 seconds from the end of stoppage time with a goal from Sam Pooley to force extra-time.
Neither side could manage another goal in extra-time and with Bruce missing one penalty, it was fitting that long-serving Pete Danford should convert the last kick to put Hoppers through.
Valiant were at home to another Macclesfield side, Golden Lion, but went out when they lost 3-2 after extratime.
The only other matches played were in Division One, and Unicorn went back top after a close match at Back Lane saw them win 2-1 against Dyers Arms. Darren Byram got the breakthrough goal midway through the second half, but Dyers came back to equalise with a goal from Jim Owen with eleven minutes left. Jamie Thompson grabbed the winner for Unicorn in the last minute of normal time.
Wellington regained some of their momentum after last week’s setback but found themselves in quite a game with Leek Snooker Centre at Birchall. All was even until Erol Nazli scored with 13 minutes to go to grab the initiative.
Sam Tomson scored a second five minutes later, and a last minute goal from Nazli left Snooker Centre on the wrong end of a cruel scoreline.
They are seven points behind leaders Unicorn, but with five games in hand.
Wellington United’s recent surge up the table came to rest as they lost 4-1 to Stanleys at Birchall to end their poor run of late.
Jake Gordon gave Stanleys the lead after 35 minutes but Adam Taylor levelled five minutes from half time, only for Jack Scragg to restore Stanleys lead before the halftime whistle. Lee Boswell extended the lead midway through the second half and Mick Price made sure with a fourth ten minutes from time.
