High-flying Seas ready to raise bar for Challenge tie

SECRETARY Mike Rouse is enjoying his first taste of being at the summit of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Sunday Football League – and now wants his GTF Seas side to make waves in the Senior Challenge Cup.

Seas take on AFC Bradley in the cup on Sunday having climbed to the top of division one with two wins and one defeat from their opening three matches – and one of those victories was against Bradley.

Rouse – who cannot remember ever having had a team at the top of the league in any season – isn't expecting an easy ride, but is confident the tide won't turn given Seas' firepower.

"We have several forwards who can score goals, so let's hope this will be the start of a good cup run," said Rouse.

"We'll have the luxury of more players being available for selection.

"And young centre-back Jack Burrows is a cracking player; he is outstanding in our strong defence."

Seas climbed to the summit of the league with a 4-2 win against Empire United.

Ryan Rice netted twice for Seas, with Brett Walton and Lee Allerton also on target.

Rouse added: "It makes a massive difference when 13 or 14 players turn up and we have the luxury of three subs.

"We've had probably the best squad in the league on paper for several seasons but, for whatever reason, too many haven't been there on match days.

"We are good on the pitch when the lads do turn out."

Meanwhile, Humberston maintained their 100 per cent start to the season when they beat Grimsby Warriors 4-1 in the Sunday Cup.

A great header from Kirk Wheeler gave a depleted Humberston the lead after a skilful run and cross from Jimmy Dean.

Warriors improved after the break and earned an equaliser, but an own goal saw the lead go back to Humberston.

Jim Mumby-Croft, who had earlier switched from right-back to up front, made it 3-1, before Dean wrapped up the victory.

SW Steelers bowed out of the cup when they lost 4-2 at home to Real Liberal, runners-up in the Gainsborough Premier Division last season.

Steelers were left cursing their fortune after rattling the woodwork four times in the game, and seeing two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line.

Despite doing everything but score in the first half, Steelers trailed 2-0 at the break.

John Waugh pulled a goal back early in the second period, but Steelers couldn't net the crucial equaliser.

They went three at the back late on as they pushed forward, and Liberal took advantage by scoring twice.

Rick Gaunt netted Steelers' second two minutes from full-time, but victory was already in the bag for Liberal – clinical finishing proving the main difference between the sides.

Crows Nest beat Immingham Town 3-1. Dave German, Luke Fanthorpe and Gareth Leaning – with a David Beckham-style free-kick – netted for Crows, while Ben Coultas replied for Immingham.

Humberston Grosvenor won 2-1 against Cromwell Rovers (Ben Drinkall).

West Marsh Old Boys (Chad Taylor 2, Nathan Green 2, Wayne Foden) beat Springfield FC 5-3 after extra-time.

AFC Nitro drew 1-1 with Ruston Sports but won on penalties.

Cleethorpes Town beat Tap & Spile 7-1.

Cleethorpes Utd (Paul Horsefall, Marcus Mason, Luke Morley) beat EAG FC 5-0.

Clee Motors won 3-0 away to Deportivo Empire.

Keelby Utd (Steve Marsden) beat FVA Jerusalem 1-0.

Pattesons (Adam Cooper 2, Matthew Payne, Paul Goodhand, Peter Schofield ) won 5-4 after extra-time against Janney's Allstars.

The Imperial Red Star (Joe Burns, Chris Harmer 2, Lee Chisnall, Dave Maggs) beat Baysgarth Old Boys 5-3.

Advance Alarms were beaten 4-1 by CW Golden Eagle. Marc Moncaster netted for the Alarms.

Blossom Way County lost 4-2 against AFC Red Lion. Ben Taylor bagged both Blossom goals.

Ashley Kiss was on target but BBS Couriers went down 3-1 to Dynamo Varsity.

East Marsh Empire lost 4-2 to Great Barrel Athletic.

Pelham 1878 were 3-0 losers against Dolphin.

Sporting Soltire lost 5-2 to Shakespeare Athletic, James Bird scoring Sporting's goals.

Kings Head Waltham were beaten 6-1 by Welton Sports AFC, with Aden Precious netting Kings' solitary goal.