Week Ending 2nd March by Mason Norton

The only action in the 3 divisions this week came in the Everards Brewery Premier Division, after Sutton Bonington's game at home to Birstall United Reserves was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. However, there are regrettably changes to report, after Sporting Markfield tendered their resignation from the League on Saturday due to being unable to field sides to continue the remainder of the season. At the time of their resignation, Markfield were bottom but one in Everards Brewery Division One, and had not quite completed 75% of their fixtures, meaning that their record has been expunged.

The recalculation of the table benefits leaders Anstey Town, who were the only side yet to play them, so they lose no points, whereas all the others lose points, apart from Barrow Town Reserves, who had lost their game against Markfield. Eight points from their last five games will secure promotion and the title for Anstey, whilst the battle for second remains virtually unaltered, Leicester Road six points behind Atletico, but with two games in hand. At the bottom, only one team will be relegated, which is currently Barrow Town Reserves, who remain pointless and are nine points behind Sutton Bonington, although SB have still got over half of their fixtures remaining.

In the Everards Brewery Premier Division, leaders Allexton & New Parks were in action in the League Cup, so their in-running lead has now been cut to six points. Aylestone Park Reserves cruised to a 7-3 win over Magna 73, having wrapped up the game by half-time by being 5-0 up. Josh McKinley-Hutchinson (2), Lewis Turland (2), Archie Bon O'Donnell (2) and Shea Bates were the scorers, whilst Magna's score was made more respectable by second half goals from Nicholas Smith (2) and Harry Smith. Park stay second, ahead of Desford & Caterpillar on goal difference, though with Desford having three games in hand. Desford won 3-0 on Saturday at home to AFC North Kilworth, Sam Beck, Sam Kibble and Mac Parnell scoring in a game played at Sport in Desford.

Fourth-placed Hathern were sidelined after their game at home to Sileby Town failed a morning pitch inspection, with Friday's rain exacerbating problems with the pitch drainage. Ellistown missed out on the chance to return to the top four after losing 2-1 at Cottesmore, for whom Brenden Parker scored early on as he leapt highest past a static defence, and then Colton Cropper doubled the advantage before half-time when his free-kick took a bobble which the Ellistown keeper wasn't able to deal with. Ellistown came out in the second half and quickly reduced arrears with Christian Ngueusseu placing the ball into the corner, and then dominated possession, but were unable to make the final breakthrough as Cotts hung on for the points.

At the bottom, Barrow Town missed out on the opportunity to reduce their ten-point gap to safety after losing 2-1 at Thurnby Rangers. Rhys Weston had scored for Barrow, but Connor Dixon levelled for Thurnby before Farran Pope scored the winner early in the second half, that result securing Thurnby's Premier Division status for next term. The next team above them are FC Khalsa, who were unable to profit, losing 4-2 at Burbage & Huncote in a game that could have easily been all over by half-time, B&H going in 3-0 up, and it could have been more had it not been for a series of fantastic saves from the Khalsa keeper. Khalsa made more of a game of it in the second period, but Burbage saw out the win, a brace of braces from Harry Wileman and Andy Wooldridge for them, Khalsa scorers not yet in. Friar Lane & Epworth are level with Khalsa on points.

Next week's Premier Division fixture list sees a top-of-the-table clash between Aylestone Park Reserves and Allexton & New Parks as well as a basement battle between Friar Lane & Epworth and Barrow Town.