McQueen's magic (From Dorset Echo)

McQueen's magic

9:17am Thursday 5th March 2009 in Sport By Dill Butcher

AARON McQueen netted a second-half hat-trick as lowly Championship outfit the Alex recorded the result of the day with an eventual 3-2 success over high-flyers the Market House in a thrilling encounter at the Marsh.

The upset leaves the Taverners still in third spot but now seven points behind leaders the Chapelhay – who thumped Southill 10-1 – and six adrift of second-placed Galaxy Windows who sneaked home by a single goal against the Golden Lion.

The House edged in front after 20 minutes when Adam Schofield’s downward header from a corner bounced high over the defender at the back post and into the net.

Stand-in keeper Darren Hawden then pulled off a string of saves to keep the visitors in the contest going into the second half where returning midfielder Kev Paice came more into the game.

However, early in the second period, a neatly played through ball allowed Schofield to beat Hawden in a one-on-one and his second strike made it 2-0 to the hosts.

The Alex withstood 15 more minutes of sustained pressure before a stroke of good fortune got them back in the game when Sammy Tidswell handled a cross from Jon Claydon.

From the resulting spot-kick McQueen sent James Parkes the wrong way and within minutes the same player had levelled it at 2-2 with a goal from all of 40 yards.

McQueen launched a deep free-kick goalwards and Parkes, appearing to lose sight of the ball, could only fumble it into his own net.

In the last 10 minutes Hawden pushed a Badger Burley drive on to a post and another effort from Schofield cracked the bar as the House stormed forward looking to keep their promotion push alive.

However, during one of these late raids, the House were undone with a sucker punch from the Alex whose swift counter saw Paice centre for McQueen to head home the winner and his third of the morning.

Meanwhile, Galaxy were finding it difficult to break down a gutsy mid-table Lion outfit – also at the Marsh – and it was only a 33rd minute spot-kick from new boy Sanchez Baker that settled the game in their favour after Dan Sidwell had been clipped charging into the box.

After the game boss Andy Barber said: “I was absolutely delighted with my back four throughout the whole game – it’s just a pity some of the players further up the field were not able to show the same level of composure and commitment that you need when things aren’t going your way. However, what with the House slipping up, it turned out to be a great weekend for us in the end.”

Elsewhere in the second tier, Colin Judge’s hard work looks to be bearing fruit as the Rock side he took over just a month ago racked up a handsome 8-1 win against Clean Connections – amazingly with eight different scorers.

Karl Edgar started the rout and there were further goals from Tobias Schroder, Judge himself, James Bryant, Tim Parker, Matt Ayles, Barry Bolton and Dave Williams.

Up in the top flight a fantastic performance from the Tuatara helped them avenge last week’s penalty shoot-out defeat to the Lugger – an emphatic 7-2 victory underlining their dominance at Budmouth.

Simon Meadows headed the hosts in front after just five minutes and moments later it was 2-0 as James Robinson netted from the spot following a Liam Weeks’ handball.

Nick Preece added a third midway through the half before the Lugger showed signs of a recovery as first, Dean O’Callaghan netted from the spot after Martin Roberts had been scythed down, and then Matt Croxson pounced to pull it back to 3-2.

However a second strike from Preece restored the T-bar’s two-goal cushion going into the second half where further goals from Tom Grattidge, Danny Dancer and a third for Preece completed the rout.

The Kingswood eventually pulled through 3-1 against a much-improved Punchbowl outfit to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions and claim their sixth win on the bounce.

The Wood got off to a positive start when Paul Lambert collected Ricky Limm’s throw-in and unleashed a low drive from 20 yards that, aided by a slight deflection, clipped the inside of the near post before finding the back of the visitors’ net.

But the home side struggled for the remainder of the half, fortunate to see the Portlanders send two efforts over the top of keeper Nick Gregg’s crossbar.

However, the Punchbowl hauled themselves level midway through the half.

The Kingswood upped their game in the second period and eventually restored their advantage courtesy of Limm’s 10th goal in four games – heading home a pin-point cross from Steve Lambert.

And the win was complete when club captain Stuart Crane, introduced as a second-half substitute, converted from the spot after being felled in the penalty area.

Back over at the Marsh, Bobby Darch saw a much-improved performance from his Belvedere side who shot down the Rodwell 3-0 – a result that underlines their determination to secure a third successive league crown.

Paul Cole cut in from the left and fired home the opener after 12 minutes and just eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Phil Lee’s low 25-yard free-kick found the net.

The hosts then wrapped up the points on the hour when Adam Anstey, powering forward, squared for Rob Maxted to side-foot home.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Albany showed they have not given up on the title just yet as they brushed aside Marko Millen’s Rendezvous outfit 12-1 with a terrific display of attacking football.

A hat-trick from winger Sean Zima, doubles apiece for Danny Andrews and Russell North and a tap-in from Darren Samways made it 8-0 at the break.

North ended the day by completing his second five-goal haul of the season and his third was the Duke’s 100th league goal of the season.

Strike partner Chris Sweetser-Hawkes completed the drubbing with a last minute strike against his former team moments after former Duke utility man Pete Mussenden had bagged a late consolation for the Vous.

A goal in each half from Ray Wellman and John Cameron saw the George (Portland) home 2-0 against AFC Black Dog.

RESULTS: Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: AFC Black Dog 0 George 2, Belvedere 3 Rodwell 0, Kingswood 3 Punchbowl 1, Rendezvous 1 Duke of Albany 12, Tuatara 7 Lugger 2.

Championship: Golden Lion 0 Galaxy Windows 1, Market House 2 Alexandra 3, Rock 8 Clean Connections 1, Southill 1 Chapelhay 10, Queens Park Venue 7 Old Castle 2.