League action...
Shirland go
goal crazy!
Shirland Miners Welfare 8
Ashboure 2
Home scorers: Hursthouse (3) D Hegarty (2) S Wright (2) G Brown
Away scorers:

Shirland went goal crazy blasting eight goals past Ashbourne to gain another vital three points and it was man-of-the-match winner Steven Boot who again stood out the most.

   His performances of late have been of the highest standard, guiding this exceptional Shirland team towards their target.

   The goal-getters and the match-winners rightly deserve acclaim, eventually accelerating away from Ashbourne at breakneck speed.

   Despite going down to an early goal Shirland found their feet fast and it was Paul Hardy's experience at the back that guided Shirland through a tricky opening five minute period.

   Shirland quickly got back level with a stunning goal from Ian Hursthouse on the ten minute mark. Six minutes later Hursthouse followed up with another stunning goal beating Sshbourne's back four with sheer pace.

   From the moment Hursthouse capped a sublime, sinewy move with a bullish finish, the second half was a procession fuelled by an overwhelming rush of confidence. His third goal was a move almost as beautifully piercing as the first goal, sprinting joyously towards goal Hursthouse fired a sweet shot into the top corner making the score 3-1.

   Next up for Shirland was Gaz Brown, picking the ball up in his own half he sprinted down the right wing like a man possesed, passing two on-coming Ashbourne players Gaz hit his shot into the top left hand corner to give Shirland a 4-1 lead.

   At that point manager Dave Thurnham made some changes and on came top goal scorer Dale Hegarty for Hursthouse and the brilliant Richard Harrison for Hardy, both players gave Ashbourne a different problem to deal with. Harrison's first touch saw him skip pass two players as if they were there and set up Steven Wright who shot just wide of the post.

   With twenty minutes left Ben Skelton won the ball at right back and hit the ball across field were Hegarty was waiting, with two touches of the ball he fired in low to score and make the score 5-1.

   Next to score were Ashbourne, a good run down the right hand side found loads of space and in a click of a finger the ball was in the back of the net with a well-deserved goal.

   With the score at 5-2 Ashbourne came to life and within five minutes a hand ball in the penalty box gave Ashbourne the chance to make the score 5-3 but up stepped keeper Daz Shaw to save Shirland's blushes with a good save.

   Next on the score sheet was Wright who seems to score every goal with sheer skill, just a few minutes after that he got a taste for goal and again scored a classic of a goal to make the score 7-2.

   With five minutes left on the clock Ollie Brown through on goal was bought down, nursing huge stud marks on the back of his leg the ref pointed to the spot A CLEAR PENALTY but the linesman had different ideas and some how talked the referee into giving a goal kick.

   Not happy with the decision Shirland dusted off and within one minuteHegarty found the back of the net again with his second goal of the game giving Shirland three points in a 8-2 win.

• Everyone at Shirland would like to say well done to Harveys Bar and wish them luck in the Cavendish Cup final.