Asfordby FC: Lions tame Bharat; Poachers denied at the last

The home side were soon on the attack with Hill going close, as Herod and Wallis linked well together down the left wing.

Hill then saw a penalty saved after a cross had been handled, but the striker made amends shortly afterwards when he ran through four players to slot home.

McCracken, Digby, McCafferty and Herod stifled the Bharat midfield to keep the Lions on the front foot. And from Hill’s corner, Digby’s headed flick on found McCracken who volleyed in for 2-0.

Asfordby’s defence of Cook, Jolliffe, London, Wainman and Wallis denied Bharat any room to mount a serious threat with Wade in the Asfordby goal watched on.

Hill scored his second after a good move out of defence, and with half-time approaching, Herod cut in from the wing to make it 4-0.

Addy replaced Herod and Saffhill came on for McCracken after half-time, and Wade was soon on the alert when Bharat shot narrowly wide.

A well-timed tackle from Wallis stopped another attack, prompting London to drop to right-back and replace Jolliffe with Hewkin coming on in midfield.

Addy was forced off with a knee injury as McCracken returned, and Bharat chased the game, making Asfordby work hard.

Herod replaced McCracken late on and with his second touch, sent a shot high into the Bharat net to complete a 5-0 win.

Asfordby will look to maintain their winning form against Leicester Bharat Santana in the reverse fixture this weekend.

* After the previous day’s heavy rain, Asfordby Poachers U13s travelled to Bardon Hill and found they would be playing on the First XI pitch with parents enjoying the terracing.

The visitors started the stronger with Dolby and Barnes working well down the right, and an early run from Hill saw his shot just clear the bar.

But Hill did put the Poachers ahead after a great passage of play from Dolby and Barnes.

The back four of Atton, Halliday, Dolby and Hindmarsh stood strong and cleared any danger, while Cook in goal controlled his area well.

Swann, Clarke and Deacon soaked up the pressure in midfield and Rowe continued to chase down the opposition.

The second half started with Bardon laying siege to the Asfordby goal, and Cook parried a shot round the post.

Hill saw another shot skim the post, but when Cook left his area to clear a long through ball, the rebound fell to a Bardon player who calmly stroked home an equaliser.

With just minutes left, Bardon earned a corner, and with the ball pinging around the box, Asfordby failed to clear and Bardon scored the winner.

Asfordby go into the Christmas break looking forward to a League Cup game against Borough Alliance at home on Sunday, January 8.