Week ending 14th December by Mason Norton

In the Everards Brewery Premier Division, Desford stay top after beating Highfield Rangers 4-1 at Peckleton Lane, Louis Rood and Tom Vyce both scoring braces for the home side, Raijaun Morris-Laing for Rangers. The chasing pack meanwhile all kept up the pressure with wins. Anstey Town were home and hosed by half-time at Burbage & Huncote, Connor Jackson (2), Zak Harris, Dan Page scoring in the first half, Mitchell Fairhurst's second half strike for the hosts no more than mere consolation as Anstey won 4-1. 


It was a bit closer for both AFC North Kilworth and Magna 73. NK took the lead at home to Hathern, but were then stunned as Jack McLachlan scored straight from a corner, Jake Maden put Hathern in front from a corner, and McLachlan caught the keeper off his line 35 yards out to make it 3-1. North Kilworth then hit back to make it 3-2 just before the break, before Hathern pretty much keeled over in the early stages of the second period, conceding two penalties in the space of 3 minutes early in the half, one of which saw them reduced to 10 men, both of them converted. NK then added a fifth 10 minutes from time to conclude the contest, coming out 5-3 winners, Jake Smith scoring first four, and sub Billy Bowles adding the last. 


Magna, meanwhile, came from behind three times at home to Ellistown. Matt Hart, Jack Bonell and Kielan Thackeray put Ellistown in front three times, and Magna pinned them back three times, before scoring with the last kick of the game to win 4-3. Carlton Beardmore scored a hat-trick along with Harry S ith for Magna.


At the other end of the table, Friar Lane & Epworth recorded a surprise 4-2 win at Leicester Atletico, Soloman Agyeman (2), Kyle Avossa and Harry Hawkins for Lane, Kosi Ezeja and Adam Modan for Atletico. Lane are still bottom, but are now just a point behind Burbage & Huncote and two points behind Ellistown. FC Khalsa, who did not play on Saturday, are two points in front of Ellistown, and could also be sucked in. Cottesmore moved up a place and are now five points clear of the drop after a 1-1 draw at home to Thurnby Rangers, Josh Clark for Cotts, Alfie Mansell for Thurnby, both goals coming in the second half. The other game saw Aylestone Park Reserves and Sileby Town play out a 2-2 draw at the Linwood, Evan Kane and Bayem Onelum for Park, Kai Reece and sub Finley Jones for Sileby. 


Attention will turn next week to the relegation dogfight, as Ellistown host Burbage & Huncote in a six-pointer, whilst the re-buoyed Friar Lane host an out-of-form Hathern side, and Khalsa have a tricky trip to Anstey Town.