Gedney Hillbillies maintain unbeaten record in the Spalding Sunday League
Gedney Hillbillies Orange moved a step closer to being crowned Spalding Sunday League champions with a three-goal away success at CSKA Emneth Reserves.
Warren McSkelly struck twice for the leaders with Jordan Kirchin also on target as they maintained their unbeaten league record.
They have won nine and drawn one of their 10 league games this season and currently lead second-placed CSKA Emneth – who have a game in hand – by six points with just two matches remaining.
Gedney made the trip to Emneth on Sunday expecting a tricky test and the first half was a scrappy affair in terrible conditions.
The Hillbillies created good chances that were either well saved by the home keeper or agonisingly put wide by their strikers.
Wisbech Town and Pinchbeck United striker Avelino Vieira made his second start of the season for the Hillbillies and he created space in the pocket between the back four and the midfield on numerous occasion but that came to no avail as Emneth defended against the wind well.
The deadlock was eventually broken after 25 minutes when midfield maestro McSkelly drove forward to win a free-kick 25 yards out.
Kirchin stepped up and unleashed a fierce low shot that crept past the Emneth goalkeeper to give Gedney the lead.
The rest of the half was seen out after a couple more chances that went begging, bringing the teams in at 1-0.
Gedney expected to be under the cosh in the second half as the wind picked up to batter the visiting defence.
But man of the match Alfie Anderson and his defence stood strong against the onslaught of Emneth attacks assisted by the wind.
The hosts were unlucky not to get an equaliser when their attacker got past a couple of defenders and squared it to his strike partner, only for Gedney shot-stopper Calum Slater to take the sting out of the shot before Anderson made a wonderful clearance off the line.
Gedney then made a couple of changes, including the introduction of frontman Rob Hitchcock, which allowed them to regain control.
They doubled their advantage when Anderson once again broke up an opponent’s attack and played a ball to Hitchcock’s feet who then made a lovely pass to McSkelly who took the chance well and drilled his shot home.
The third goal then came in similar fashion after some more good work and quick feet from Hitchcock played in McSkelly to finish.
Gedney then played out the remainder of the match with Slater securing his seventh clean sheet of the season to put the Hillbillies two victories away from securing the league title.
Fishtoft cemented third place in the table after being awarded the win from Sunday’s scheduled home game against AFC Moulton Seas End who were unable to raise a side.
