AFC West End 4-5 Market Rasen SC

West End Exit Cup By Odd Goal in Nine

AFC West End went into this cup match against Market Rasen optimistic of repeating their giant-killing act of two years ago. That outcome, if not the score-line, seemed on the cards again as the Beers started the brighter of the two teams and went into an early lead as Jamie Lawrence broke through to net his eighth goal of the season. Although West End were playing the better football Market Rasen were much more direct in the final third, and they drew level within minutes as a long throw was unfortunately flicked into his own net by Rich Brown.

AFC West End 9-3 Welton S&SC Res.

Sublime Nine as West End Get Off the Mark

AFC West End finally got off the mark five games into the season and they did so in spectacular fashion; routing previously second place Welton S&SC Reserves 9-3 thanks to a devastating first half display that saw them go in for half-time 7-1 in front. Incredibly given the scoreline it was actually the visitors to showed the early initiative as they got men forward to put West End on the back foot. And when they took the lead quarter of an hour in, capitalising as West End failed to clear a set-piece, it was no more than they had deserved. However, their strength in numbers going forward was to prove their downfall at the back as Welton fell foul of the First Law of Sunday Football; thall shall not use wingbacks, and were subsequently picked apart.

Monks Road WMC 4-0 AFC West End

Monks Silence West End

Another of those games that left West End’s squad scratching it’s collective head. Despite dominating possession for most of the first half and large spells of the second West End somehow went down to one of their heaviest defeats of the season, against one of their worst opponents. Still at least one West End player made it onto the score-sheet; Glen Wilson laying claim to two of Monks Road’s four goals.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ben Sheehan; Stephen Pearce, Glen Wilson, Adrian Gray, Jez Ashberry (Jay Dann); Dave Capps, Joe Harper (Sam Boothman), Gav Sumner, Dan Hill; Sam McDonnell, Jamie Kitching (Ritchie Bates)
Man of the match: Joe Harper
Dick of the day: Glen Wilson (two own goals speaks for itself)

The Brown Cow 2-1 AFC West End

Defeat with Added Beef at Brown Cow

Shades of the infamous Battle of Birchwood against Swan Athletic as West End lost out in a particularly frustrating game at Sudbrooke Drive. Not only were West End up against particularly physical opponents but they had to do so with one of their opponents refereeing as well. Never has the phrase “the ref gave us nothing” been more apt, than today as the home official spent the entire game on one touchline and rarely up with play.

Despite this West End took the lead as a Ben Sheehan clearance downfield was headed past his own keeper by a Brown Cow defender. West End were on the back foot for much of the rest of the game, and were indebted to Ben who made some fantastic saves to keep the home side at bay. Eventually Brown Cow found the net, not once, but twice to take the points, but the match ended in controversial circumstances. A horrific late and high challenge on Joe Harper went unpunished by the referee and sparked a confrontation amongst the players. With Joe unable to play-on and his team-mates unwilling to face anything more from their opponents West End persuaded the referee to blow for time. Another one of those why do we bother days.

Line-up: Ben Sheehan; Stephen Pearce, Adrian Gray, Glen Wilson, Jez Ashberry; Dave Capps, Sam Boothman (Jay Dann), Gav Sumner (James Dewurst), Dan Hill; Joe Harper (Dale Annous), Sam McDonnell

Man of the Match and Dick of the Day: no votes taken

AFC West End 5-1 Nettleham Res.

West End Sting Nettles

West End continued their fantastic start to the season with a third successive victory. Jamie Kitching was the latest person to join the goalkeeper merry-go-round and made a number of telling saves. However, it was man of the match Steve Nurse who made the most significant contribution with a well taken hat-trick helping West End to a 5-1 win that, following a Joe Harper strike, was sealed with a glorious own goal from a Nettleham defender.

Line-up (4-4-2): Jamie Kitching; Stephen Pearce (Ryan), Bruce McDonald, Adrian Gray, Jez Ashberry; Dave Capps, Joe Harper, Gav Sumner (Dale Annous), John Moore (Glen Wilson); Steve Nurse, Dan Hill
Man of the match: Steve Nurse (hat-trick hero)
Dick of the day: Gav Sumner (injury sways it again)

Travellers Rest Res. 2-5 AFC West End

Opening Day Delight

The season starts in typical West End fashion on the morning after a frantic search for players. Founder member Benny Gane headed north to take the gloves, whilst Adam Anderson and Steve Nurse made impressive debuts. It was Nurse who opened the scoring for West End, with an own goal helping to double West End’s first half tally, but not before the hosts had equalised. Before the break Sam McDonnell was fouled, suffering what would later turn out to be ankle ligament damage, but with no West End substitutes he remained on the field for the second half.

AFC West End 6-1 Boro Park Rangers

Boro Parked

West End’s great second half of the season continued with a highly convincing victory over Boro Park Rangers. Things didn’t start well with Rangers taking the lead inside the opening minute. However it would be as good as the opposition got and once West End found their stride the result was never in doubt. Forwards Sam McDonnell and Rich Dungworth notched two goals each, with Lee Matsell and an own goal from a hapless Rangers defender completing the rout.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Alec Waby; Stephen Pearce, Shaun Hepple, Glen Wilson, Jez Ashberry; Dave Capps, Jonny Dyas, Gav Sumner, Phil Lodge; Sam McDonnell, Rich Dungworth
Substitutes: Lee Matsell, Joe Harper

AFC West End 3-2 BBH Athletic

BBH Beaten as West End Finally Win Again

After five games without a win West End finally broke the losing habit, and recorded their first midweek win in the process. Playing their fifth match in ten days West End had to work for the points and trailed 2-1 in the West Common wind to a spirited BBH Athletic side. However, as the sun began to set the hosts found two second half goals, including a scorching thirty yard effort from Rich Dungworth to claim an overdue victory.

Line-up (4-4-2): Adam Bierton; Mark Anderson, Glen Wilson, Mike Northern, Chris Denman; Marcus Tester, Matty Evans, Andy Kirk, Chris Dewey, Sam McDonnell, Rich Dungworth
subs both used: Shaun Hepple, Liam Collinwood
Man of the Match: Rich Dungworth; goal of the season contender
Dick of the Day: Mike Northern; unlucky, but an own goal is an own goal

AFC West End 0-1 De Wint

De Wint Get De Win

Two games in three days and both against the division’s top two sides proved a step too far for West End, but for the second time this season they showed their worth against the league leaders De Wint. West End’s 3-1 win at De Wint in January remains the top club’s only defeat and the beers came as close as anyone to matching that. Unfortunately though it was the physical De Wint side who prevailed, but they needed a Chris Denman own goal to win it 1-0.

Line-up (4-4-2): Adam Bierton; Mark Anderson, Shaun Hepple, Glen Wilson, Chris Denman; Phil Lodge, Matty Evans, Joe Harper, Chris Dewey; Rich Dungworth, Sam McDonnell

Subs all used: Jonny Dyas, Mike Northern, Andy Kirk
Man of the Match: Joe Harper
Dick of the Day: Andy Kirk; when late for a game, don’t arrive on a child’s pink bike

Red Lion Dunston Res. 1-7 AFC West End

West End Begin League in Fine Style

On a sweltering hot September day AFC West End went into their first competitive game, with no idea of the standard of football awaiting them. However, from the first whistle West End were on top keen to make an early impression, Michael Northern went close before the deadlock was eventually broken. Andy Kirk latched onto a long ball and lobbed the keeper from around twenty yards.  A great finish for West End’s first competitive goal. With their noses in front West End again pushed forward and another goal followed soon after, Chris Denman turning well in the box and finishing coolly after Dunston failed to clear a corner.