Resurgent Crusaders see off the Pilgrims

THE only surviving fixture in the Grimsby and District Intermediate League Under-15 division saw Caistor Crusaders capitalise on their first win of the season by notching their second consecutive victory.

The playing surface at Navigation Lane was in excellent condition and credit must go to the ground staff for ensuring the game went ahead.

Shaun Walker's Immingham Pilgrims were the visitors and, from the start, they marshalled their defence well against Caistor's attack.

The Pilgrims began to force themselves into the reckoning.

Their strong midfield gradually began to control proceedings and their pressure paid off when Langmaid scored the opener.

Immingham began to mount a series of attacks in an attempt to build on their lead and were rewarded with a goal from Harvey, scoring at the second attempt.

Immingham sensed that another goal would kill-off the home side's resistance, but Caistor stood firm and, from an attack of their own, Liam Hewitt managed to control a loose ball and fire home.

Immingham were in no mood to be outdone and, shortly after, regained their two-goal advantage when Langmaid lifted a shot over Caistor keeper Jordan Sadler.

Immingham tried manfully to get another goal but they couldn't convert their chances and the teams went into the break with a 3-1 scoreline.

Coaches Martin Burns and Rob Crump must have delivered a team-talk of Winston Churchill proportions, as the home side sprang out of the traps in the second half and looked a totally different side.

Having survived an early Pilgrims chance, they narrowed the deficit when in-form Caistor player Harry Spencer broke through to finish.

Caistor's tails were up and they mounted attack after attack.

The home side drew level when Steven Burns drove home an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick with 15 minutes left.

Caistor tried to score a winner, but were denied by a superb performance from the Immingham keeper.

His personal duel with Spencer was proving to be a classic as the striker powered in shot after shot, twice hitting the woodwork.

Shortly after Brad Watson's effort had been cleared off the line, Burns played Spencer through.

He was not to be denied this time and he coolly slotted the ball home.

Immingham rallied in an effort to equalise, but Caistor's defence held out and the home side won 4-3.

With only one defeat all season, Tony Birkett's Optis Boys lie four points clear at the top of the Under 14A division and look to be on course for a title triumph.

GSC, in second place, will know that they have to get a result against the leaders in their match up scheduled for this weekend to stay in contention.

There is still a long way to go but coach Lee Sinclair will be hoping to improve his sides goals scored figure. His side have registered only 15 times this season with 7 of those coming in their season opener against Cleethorpes Town. They have performed well defensively for most of the season and if they can improve their firepower, then Optis may well not have it all their own way in the title race. Immingham Pilgrims, Healing Hotspurs, and Cleethorpes Town are locked on seven points apiece with Immingham having the slight advantage of a game in hand. Graham Scrimshaw's side will have their eyes set firmly on mounting a challenge to GSC if the second placed club slip up. Andy Moore's Athletico 3Q will be looking to show some improvement in the second half of the season. With only two wins so far and 13 goals scored they know that a concerted push in the second half of the season could well see htem surge up the table. Discoveries A lie just behind Athletico on 4 points level with bottom club Clee Community A. The Clee outfit have three games in hand on Discoveries and despite only scoring 8 goals only the leading quartet have conceded fewer. John Gibson will be hoping his side can use their strong defence as a springboard to move up the table.

Two fixtures survived the downpour in the Under 14B division.

At St James Paul Lee's Clee Community C side overcame home side Abey's Home furnishings 5-1 to move five points clear of their opponents. Their goals came from Mosley, Blisset, Thompson, Overend and Walker. Abey's replied through Jones. Discoveries B and Caistor Crusaders played out a barnstorming 4-4 draw at Humberstone Comp. Either side could have won a fast end to end game which was played in a great spirit throughout and was excellently refereed by David Haigh. Discoveries goals came from Gooch, Bettinson and a pair from Ex Dons player Ross Beattie. Caistor replied through J.Codd and an Orren Oliver hat trick. The two sides remain deadlocked on twelve points, while Discoveries have two goals in hand. The Under 14B title race is beginning to hot up as favourites Solar Tigers and Discoveries A have opened up a slight gap on the chasing pack. Solar currently head the table on 19 points but Discoveries A are only three points behind with what could be two crucial games in hand. In third place, Mark Finch's Breakaways remain handily placed on 13 points, but they know that cannot afford to drop many more points if they are to figure in the title race. A dark horse for a title bid may well be Crows Nest. Aftewr a good start to the season Steven Wright's side lost ground on the leaders as they suffered two consecutive defeats, but have regained their equilibrium with two wins and a draw from their last three games, in which they have scored 21 times and conceding only 6. They currently lie in sixth place on 11 points but have 3 games in hand on the league leaders. If they can regain their early season form htay could well spring a surprise bid for honours. Immingham Pilgrims B have struggled to find any consistency this season, with wins being followed by losses. There are causes for concern defensively but if coach Damon Horton can find a little solidity at the back, he knows they have the firepower up front to force themselves up the table. Behind them lie three sides who are very much in the development phase Clee Community C, Clee Community B and Abey's Home Furnishings. Clee C under coach Paul Lee are, like Discoveries D, playing a year above themselves and the experience they have gained will serve them well next season.

Sean Young's Healing Hotspurs and Bob Tanda's Discoveries A are locked in an intriguing race for the Under 13 championship. Healing currently head the division and are five points clear of Discoveries who have 3 games in hand. The two sides have already met twice this season with each claiming a win. They are the only defeats either have suffered all season. Graham Bell's Breakaways side will attempt to force themselves into the proceedings, and with seven wins from 11 games they know that consistency is the key to challenging. They have a strong squad of players who are more than capable of making a challenge, but that has also been a problem for the side as many of their players have been unavailable at times due to representative commitments. Kev Petty's Discoveries B have made a good fist of their maiden year and if Breakaways slip up they are handily placed to overtake them in the league. Cleethorpes Town lie just 2 points behind Discoveries and have acquitted themselves well this year. They are another side who are in need of increased consistency to mount a challenge, and this talented squad are more than capable of achieving this in the second half of the season. The remaining trio of Discoveries C, Clee Community A and Atlantic are developing well. All have played some excellent football this season and are beginning to show the grit and character that will serve them well in the seasons ahead.