Top dogs Stilton United take little pleasure from a huge win, three perfect teams, a ‘worldie’ free kick and clubs coming back down to earth with a bump

Stilton won 10-0 at a very young Oakham United side to reach the summit on goal difference after picking up six points in two games.

A hat-trick from Lewis McManus and further goals from Lee Deane (2), Ashley Brand, Dan Grainger, Dan Stephens, Kyial West and Jermaine Watson secured their handsome success.

Stilton are sure to be tested more severely this Saturday (September 19, 2pm) when hosting fellow Premier Division newboys Crowland Town. Crowland have also won their opening two matches as have title favourites Netherton United.

“We enjoyed the win, but we took no great pleasure from it,” Bartlett said. “Oakham were very young and obviously new to this standard of football and we had no wish to demoralise them.

“We were 1-0 up in three minutes and it was 4-0 after 35 minutes and it was a long way back for Oakham from there.

“It’s nice to be top though and there is no reason why we shouldn’t finish in the top six. It looks a very strong, competitive division, but our squad, although small, is decent and most of them have played together for a long time now. We sneaked a 1-0 win against a very big and strong Long Sutton side in our first game and we have another tough one on Saturday against Crowland.

“They beat us early in the Division One season last year and we were due to play them again when lockdown arrived. That game would probably have decided the title. They are good and they seem to have a real spirit and togetherness about them.”

Stilton were boosted pre-season by the arrival of veteran goalkeeper Dave Beeny from Peterborough North End Sports and he has already proved his worth by saving a penalty in the Long Sutton match.

“We’ve kept two clean sheets now,” Bartlett added. “And that’s a real bonus for us as that might be how many we kept in the whole of last season! Dave will certainly help us defensively.

“Actually now we’re top I wouldn’t mind another lockdown!”

Crowland beat Leverington 2-0 with goals from Chris Winstanley and Jake Woodward, while Alfie Ferguson, Andy Irvine and Zack Fisher scored the goals as Netherton United beat Uppingham Town 3-1 at the Grange.

A ‘worldie’ free-kick strike from Stewart Lambie was a highlight of ICA Sports’ 4-0 win at Stamford Lions in the. Scott Spearink (2) and Ash Firth also netted and unbeaten ICA also kept a second successive clean sheet.

A couple of the newly-promoted Premier Division sides did come down to earth with a bump last weekend. Cardea, fresh from winning their first ever game as a top flight club, were beaten 3-0 at Long Sutton Athletic, while Eye United lost 5-2 at home to Holbeach United Reserves.

RESULTS

Peterborough League

Premier Division: Crowland 2 (Winstanley, J. Woodward), Leverington Sports 0; Eye United 2 (Buckle, Duffy), Holbeach Utd Res 5 (Storey 2, Millinson, Compton, Coote); Parson Drove 5 (Hempson 3, Gardner, Tricks), Ketton 0; Long Sutton 3 (Burton 2, Clitheroe), Cardea 0; Netherton 3 (Ferguson, Irvine, Fisher), Uppingham Town 1; Oakham Utd 0, Stilton Utd 10 (McManus 3, Deane 2, Brand, Grainger, Stephens, West, Watson); Stamford Lions 0, ICA Sports 4 (Spearink 2, Lambie, Firth).