AFC Barley Mow triumphed in a big top-of-the-table clash last Saturday – but player-boss Sean Sweeney insists the Cambs League Division 1B title is still in the hands of the team they beat.
The Barley boys roared to a 3-1 success against Alconbury in a game where all of the goals arrived in the final half-an-hour.
That was largely thanks to a series of fine saves from Mow goalkeeper Graeme Drewery to keep Alconbury at bay before his side hit the front through Salv Merola.
Their advantage was doubled by Adam Lacey with a ferocious finish, but Alconbury replied with a thunderbolt of their own from Bradley Bennett to halve the deficit and set up a thrilling finale.
But leading scorer Josh Turner sealed the points for Barley with a super solo effort as they climbed back into pole position. They are now a point clear of Alconbury, who possess two matches in hand.
Sweeney said: “It was a huge result against Alconbury, but the title is still very much in their hands and they will need to drop more points if we are to stand a chance of winning it.
“What we have done is give ourselves a lifeline in the promotion race. There are five really strong teams at this level and only two of them will go up.
“We’ve got three games to go and we really need win them – especially as two of them are against other teams chasing promotion themselves.”
AFC Barley Mow face third-placed St Ives Rangers in another crucial clash this Saturday. The same two teams then contest the Hunts Junior Cup final early next month.
Fenstanton’s knack of being able to score a late goal served them well last Saturday in their first Division 1B fixture for a month.
Brandon Haynes headed a leveller in the seventh minute of stoppage time as they drew 2-2 at Mildenhall Town Reserves. A depleted Fenstanton side had earlier gone ahead in the first half through Seb Hall.
Liam Dawson and Matthew Smith both hit hat-tricks as Buckden were high-scoring 7-4 winners at Saffron Dynamos in Division 4A.
Antonio Douglas hit two goals as Huntingdon United Reserves boosted their promotion hopes in Division 4B by thumping local rivals Needingworth United Reserves 6-1.
St Ives Rangers Reserves climbed up to third place in Division 5B with a 2-0 success at Marchester United. Jackson Bonny and Mohammed Islam found the net.
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