Chesterfield Sunday League Division 3.
Black Swan (ashover) F.C.....1 AFC Walton.....5.
AFC raced to the top of the league, thrashing Previous leaders Black Swan in thier own back yard, today (sunday). Benny again was without a number of key players for the journey, but this season AFC are a different beast, and now possess a VERY STRONG squad with players that can fit in to any position at a moments notice without weakening the team. Coming into the squad for a place on the bench was recent re-signing Paul Walton, back at the club after a brief move to Charlies Bar in Division 2.
AFC swept forward in thier usual fashion from the kick off, seeing a free kick headed against the bar as early as the 2nd minute. Swan went close seconds later after a throw found a striker run clear, but his shot was wastefully wide of the target. Danny Brown was unlucky to see his shot fly over the bar on 9 mins, after a corner found him unmarked at the edge of the box. It just delayed the inevitable however when the visitors took the lead just 1 minute later. A long raking pass from Bennett found Goodwin who nodded down for WRIGHT to fire home, giving the keeper no chance. He doubled his, and AFC's tally just 60 seconds later a strong run by Bettney found Lytham racing up the touchline, he cut inside his man, and his cross picked out WRIGHT who again scored comfortably to notch his 78th total LEAGUE goal, and his 121st goal in ALL competitions.
Black Swan were'nt league leaders for nothing however, and as AFC eased off a little, the hosts created a few chance of thier own, which saw Furniss earn his corn. On 18 minutes a rasping long range drive saw the keeper pull of a fine save. He topped that after 25 minutes, when a well placed free kick low down, seemed to have beaten him all ends up, but he produced a brilliant full stretch diving save, to push the chance round the post for a corner. He was almost caught out a moment later, when a drive from easilly 40 yards out, crashed against his crossbar and bounced safely back to him. A Spencer long throw saw AFC go close on 29 mins, but he resulting shot was cleared for a corner. A ball in by Bettney just after the half hour saw Lytham go close heading inches over. The rest of the half was a very close affair with Swan looking for a way back into the match, and AFC trying to wrap up the tie. HALF TIME Black Swan F.C...0 AFC Walton...2.
Benny rallied his troops at half time, as a little uncertainty seemed to be creeping in, but they pushed forward from the restart. A ball to Lee Walton saw him race up the line but his cross was blocked by a Swans defender. Wright nodded a ball from defence on for Lytham to race onto, but his shot hit a defender and went for a corner. AFC were moving up the gears now and Wright went desparatly close to a hat-trick, heading over after great play and cross by Danny Brown had picked him out in the middle. They grabbed thier third goal in spectacular fashion on 54 mins a corner found Bettney who picked out LEE WALTON 40 yards out, he brought the ball down and smashed a unstoppable strike into the top left hand coner of the goal. Straight from the restart Whitehead almost headed past his own keeper, but Furniss saved well. AFC put the game out of Black Swans reach as a contest just short of the hour, BETTNEY this time getting his name on the score sheet with a long range strike that bouced just in front of the keeper, giving him no chance.
Black Swan did however find the net after a defensive mistake, where AFC failed to clear thier lines. Whitehead uluckilly lost control by letting the ball run across his body, he found himself robbed of the ball, and clumsilly brought the striker to the ground giving the hosts a penalty, which despite a brave attempt by Furniss, the ball crashed into the net just under the crossbar. This did inspire Swan for a time and both sides created chances. Swan went close again on 67 mins when a shot was lobbed ifrom out wide, but Furniss watched the ball over to safety. LYTHAM grabbed AFC's FIFTH goal of the game after a smart Spencer through ball picked out his run, he raced clear and slipped his shot across the keeper, and into the corner of the net. It proved to be the strikers last contribution of the game as on 73 mins he made way for Paul Walton to make his 97th appearance ever for the club. Silcock made a well timed clearance as Swan again threatened and as the time wore on Benny replaced Silcock and Lee Walton with Higginbottom and Bonson in the 83 and 86th minute respectivly. In between this Paul Walton made his mark on the game, picking up the ONLY caution of the game for a foul that the Referee deemed late. FULL TIME Black Swan F.C....1 AFC Walton....5 this win sees AFC leapfrog the Swan, who incidentally DROP to 3rd in the league, with Silver Birches moving into 2nd place, Staveley All Inn make up the top 4 with another fine win. other results in Division 3 are Creswell Black Diamond..5 Hady Bridge..4 / Laburnam..0 Silver Birches...6 / Staveley All Inn..7 Brickmakers...0 / And Wingerworth Barley Mow Vs West Killamarsh WAS Postponed.
