Sunday 18th May 2014

Arguably the biggest game in the NAPIT League season took place on Sunday with Hasland and FC Britannia contesting the Dey and Co Alma Cup Final at the Proact Stadium. In ONE Hasland are within an ace of retaining their title whilst Britannia have also had a great season and with one game remaining they are guaranteed a fourth place finish. On their way to the final Hasland received a bye in round one, going on to beat Barrow Hill WMC, Grassmoor Sports and Silver Birches, whilst Britannia saw off Ashover Vale, Tibshelf Town and AFC Whitecotes after they too had a bye in round one. In the league Britannia had been beaten 3-2 by Hasland with the return fixture ending level at 2-2, results which suggested the final would be a close run thing and that's how it turned out as Hasland won 2-1 to retain the trophy.
They had to come from behind to win however as they went behind after only five minutes when Britannia's Josh Scully powered a low shot through a crowded box into the far corner. For the remainder of the half Hasland struggled to get a foot hold in the game as Britannia looked to get forward at every opportunity and tackled tenaciously when not in possession making it difficult for Hasland to create many opportunities.
They began the second half more convincingly and were on level terms when the dangerous Lee Clay found himself some space in Britannia's penalty area before firing home his thirty-fifth goal of the season. The goal visibly lifted the holders and they began to find some rhythm and it became obvious that the next goal would prove to be vital and it proved to be the case when Daniel Claridge rose to powerfully head home what turned out to be the winning goal to send the Hasland players into joyous scenes of celebration. Britannia battled bravely to find an equaliser but just came up short and it was the Hasland skipper Ryan Booker who completed a memorable day for his side by lifting the Alma Cup just as he had the a Derbyshire Senior Sunday Cup just a few weeks ago. Things could get even better if Hasland can beat Creswell in their remaining NAPIT LEAGUE game, a victory which would hand them the league title to complete a fantastic treble.

The big game in the league took place in NAPIT FOUR where Steelmelters beat Woodthorpe Inn by three goals to two to claim the NAPIT FOUR title. Woodthorpe could have won it themselves but they had to win the game to have any chance. As it turned out they will have to settle for runners up spot as they were edged out in a five goal thriller. Steve Mansell, Paul Ward and Jack Yeomans hit the winning goals but their sides success in winning the title has come on the back of some outstanding performances throughout the whole season, performances which have seen them win sixteen league games. Pilsley's 4-1 win at Lowgates Sports ensures them a fifth place finish.

Unlike FOUR the SEVEN title will not be decided until the final day of the season as challengers Duckmanton Community and Oxcroft MW both won to ensure the race for pole position will go down to the wire. Having said that Duckmanton, who are level on points with Oxcroft, do have a far superior goal difference which should see them home if they can win their final game at Glapwell Gladiators, if they do not an Oxcroft victory over Britannia Tupton will see the title go to them. Grassmoor Sports Reserves offered little resistance in Duckmanton's penultimate game of the season as they conceded eight, Steve Johnson scoring four of them, Kevin Nussey two, Travis and Sheppard one each. Oxcroft's victory came over Brimington Club, Grayson scoring twice, Gill once in a 3-1 win.

Up in NAPIT TWO two teams can still finish top. New Whitt won 4-0 at Brampton Rovers JMA, thanks in no small part to Gary Morton's splendid hat trick, Shane Burton also scoring, to go second a point behind leaders Tibshelf Town. However it is either to Town or Barrow Hill MC where the title is destined to go as Town lead Whitt by a point whilst Barrow Hill are two points further back and they both have a game remaining whilst New Whitt's fixtures have been completed.

Two sides completed their NAPIT THREE programme on a Sunday with champions West Killamarsh drawing 4-4 with Newton George and Dagon and Hollingwood Athletic also drawing this time with Steelmelters Arms Killamarsh 1-1. This leaves just one game left to play when Steelmelters play Newton George and Dragon.

North Wingfield MW took on champions Clowne Wanderers Reserves in FIVE looking to gain a point to secure runners up position and they did exactly that drawing 2-2. Kurtis Morley scored both Wingfield goals which left Hasland Community with a third place finish.

In SIX the last two games of the season took place and bottom club Holmehall 2nd ended their campaign on a high with a 4-3 win at Fidlers Rest.There was little to choose between the two sides but Holmehall just about deserved to win what was their fourth win of the campaign. The other game paired Renishaw MW Reserves with Markham Arms and saw both sides claim a point from a 1-1 draw.