But it's still a remarkable fact that just a week after being beaten 7-3 by Glinton in the League Cup, Eye United were able to turn the tables to move top of Division Three by smashing the same side 8-0.

A hat-trick for Ben Mucklin plus goals for Mikey McDonald, Ellis Mills, Daniel Rainbow, Charles Garrad and Luke Mizra saw Eye complete the remarkable turnaround.

Manager Jim Rainbow said: "I was away last week so I don't know what happened really but it just goes to show how things can turn around in this game.

"All the boys were desperate to get that result out of their system and they certainly did that with an excellent performance against Glinton which put us top.

"We missed out on promotion last season by one place so we are desperate to make that right this campaign."

But if there is to be a pot of gold at the end of the season for Rainbow, the Eye manager knows his team will have a real fight on their hands against free-scoring Holbeach.

Rainbow added: "Because they are a new team Holbeach have been put in this division but they have players who are good enough to be in Division One.

"So many people are expecting them to romp it and after watching them hit 39 goals in three games it is hard to argue with that assessment.

"But we have a cracking bunch of lads here and I know they will be doing everything they can to stop them.

"And even if that proves beyond us, we hope to be able to at least secure one of the remaining promotion spots."


IN the Division above Northborough hit the top of the table after a tight match with Whittlesey – and it was all thanks to Alex Mantaleris' mum.

With his team-mates struggling at 3-0 down in the second half, Mantaleris was watching helpless from the sidelines after being asked to sit out having suffered a fracture to his arm.

But with Northborough fast running out of time, manager Spencer Johnson decided to take action and asked Mantaleris' mum if her son could come on and his presence certainly had the desired effect.

Inspired by their talisman, Evan Ladley hit a hat-trick before Jordan Graham lashed in the winner to earn the village lads all three points.

Johnson said: "The start of the second half saw us 3-0 down and after a number of injuries I had to put Alex on who was not allowed to start because he had fractured his arm.

"But I asked his mum if he would be okay to come on and his presence on the pitch inspired us to the win.

"All in all this was an excellent match with chances at both ends despite the awful conditions."


DUE to an error, we wrongly attributed comments made about the Northborough v Netherton Condors game last week to Northborough manager Spencer Johnson.

We apologise to Mr Johnson for the misunderstanding and for any offence caused to him or any of the players involved in the match.