Ramble Round the Everards Divisions
Week Ending 21st December by Mason Norton
23/12/24
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Champions: Stapenhill Runners-up: Barrow Town
With the title already won and presented to Stapenhill, the final day was to decide the destination of the remaining 3 sponsored positions. Kirby Muxloe were favourites to take the 2nd place after a midweek 1-2 away win at Highfield Rangers had moved them in to 2nd spot, with an home match against mid table Blaby and Whetstone to finish.
Their challengers, Barrow Town, seemed to have the harder run in with a final day away game at former leaders Thurnby Rangers, who appeared to have reclaimed their form with a 2-2 away draw at Bardon Hill in midweek. However, nothing can be taken for granted in football and Barrow returned from Thurnby as 2-4 winners and Blaby and Whetstone ended Kirby?s recent record of 8 straight wins with an hard fought 1-1 draw, leaving Barrow as runners up and Kirby as 3rd place finishers.
Ibstock Utd claimed the last sponsored spot, 4th, with a 1-1 draw at Ratby Sports, where the point was more valuable to the home side who moved out of the bottom 2 on goal difference, above Downes Sports. They were given a lesson in finishing after Bardon Hill Sports finished their 1st Premier division season with a 1-6 away win after Dave Jones and Martin Staley closed their season with a brace apiece.
Elsewhere Paul Eden hit an hat trick as Ellistown knocked back Holwell Sports 3-0 and Aylestone Park came from behind to win 1-2 at already relegated Rothley Imps when Sam Wilson hit a 2nd half pair.
Highfield Rangers ended their season on a high note, posting their 1st league win in 5 starts, 3-2 over Thurmaston Town after Jose Oliviera netted a double.
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Report supplied by Dave Lumley