Sunday League: Second-tier stalemate keeps title race open

HONOURS ended even in the top-of-the-table clash between BBS Couriers and Crows Nest 1st in Division Two of the Sunday League.

Leaders Couriers are still two points clear of Crows in second after a tight 0-0 draw – ahead of the two sides meeting again this weekend.

After the draw, Crows manager Terry Hanley said: "It was a close game which could have gone either way.

"A lot of easy chances went begging and the usually prolific scorers for both teams missed chances which they would normally take.

"This weekend we play the reverse fixture – there will be a few changes in personnel but otherwise our plans will be much the same."

The stalemate between the top two did third-placed Pattesons a favour as they ran out 3-0 winners over Police, with Josh Baines, Nathan Crooks and Asa Fisher getting on the scoresheet.

Pattesons secretary Gary Precious said: "This was the perfect result for us, a big bonus when we saw the result of the other game.

"We've always been in with a chance of the title and this makes it even better."

Elsewhere, Caistor Rovers claimed their first win of the season when they won 2-0 away to Imperial Red Star.

But second-from-bottom Immingham Town maintained the five-point gap between them and Caistor with a 3-0 win over Healing thanks to goals from Ben Baxter, Steve Grimbleby and James Bristow.

Leaders Cleethorpes Town continued their title charge in Division Three with a 2-0 victory over Deportivo Empire.

In pursuit of them are East Trans Pelham, who beat Bridge 4-2 with two from Ben Drinkall and goals from Daniel Carter and Jack Wilson.

Cleethorpes United (Paul Horsefall 2, Chris Harmer, Michael King, Marcus Mason) won 5-1 away to AFC Nitro. Buddies II FC (Andy Kirkley 3, Paul Cole) won 4-3 away to The Cricketers.

A battling Keelby United side held Millfields to a well- contested 0-0 draw.

The game had to be halted mid-way through the first half because of a serious injury to Keelby full-back Howie Davies.

Jamie Stow scored for Great Coates in their 1-0 defeat of Blossom Way County in Division Four.

The only other game between Tap & Spile 2nds and Tower Bucharest resulted in another goal-less draw.

Division Five leaders East Marsh Empire (Sean Minkley, Garry Spurr, Jodi Spurrell, Brett Wherry) won 4-2 away to RER Haulage (Ben Cole, Jamie Cutler) and continue to set the pace.

Old Lloyds (Brett Williams 3, Lee Williams 2, Adam Croy, Stephen Newens) enjoyed a handsome 7-0 victory against Sporting Saltire, while Clee Motors won 2-1 against Abatis Fire & Security (Luke Sargent).

Healing 2nds are steadily climbing away from the drop-zone thanks to a 6-1 win away to AA Property New Waltham.

Immingham County (Greg Booth 2, Danny Kearns, Gary Nimmo, Brad Stringfellow, Jamie Wilkes) beat AFC Waltham 6-1, and Redstar Old Boys won 4-2 against Crows Nest 3rds.

Spiders Web continue to set the pace in Division Six and they recorded another good win over Seachill Athletico.

Braces from Marco Daley and Gareth White and a strike from Jason Gerrard saw the leaders to a 5-2 victory.

David Mathews and Waldemar Porada were on the mark for Athletico.

Olivers Wine Bar (Scott Short 3, Ashley Collins, Bobby McSpadden, Shane Ward) won 6-4 against West Marsh Old Boys.

Ace Homecare (Lee Carroll, Ryan Shawcroft) drew 2-2 with Grimsby Rovers (David Deane, Alan Williamson), and Winns drew 4-4 with Electrical Appliances Grimsby (Chris Duffield 3, Shaun Thompson).

Finally, Buddies II Athletic (Joe Robinson, Jordan Chaplin, Karl Eklund) won 3-1 in their match against The County (Andy Croucher).