ROYAL Hotel's charge to the Second Division Championship was held up as arch rivals EH Football gained valuable ground in what looks to be a repeat of last season's Third Division promotion battle.

Before the game the Royal had played 10 and won 10. They looked invincible.

But despite some attractive approach work and the creation of numerous scoring chances they were unable to make any real impression on an EH Football side who also have their sights fixed firmly on the First Division next season.

EH Football wasted no time at all in stamping their authority on the game and after only seven minutes stormed into the lead through Sean Landy.

Mark Stevenson, alert to Landy's intelligent running into space, chipped a delightful pass over the Royal's back four and Landy beat goalkeeper Martin Hurst with a perfect shot on the half volley from 15 yards.

The visitors responded immediately and a David Moss pass found Paul Stannard on the edge of the penalty area.

Stannard beat defender Kenny Wildman and his goal-bound shot was well saved by Andrew George.

Stannard broke loose again seconds later and this time it required a last-ditch tackle from Wayne Bradshaw as Stannard threatened to grab an equaliser. As play swung from end to end, the game developed into a highly entertaining affair and with both sides committed to attack the chances came thick and fast.

For EH Football, Daz Fielding just failed to hit the target when he hooked Ince's far post cross just past the post and Calvin Ludden was denied on the line by Royal Hotel defender John Hawke.

Royal always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and confirmed this in the 27th minute, when Jarrod Clegg broke free just inside the EH Football's half of the field and despite close attention from two defenders, stormed his way forward and beat George with a spectacular shot that gave the keeper no chance.

With the honours even at half time, a terrific second half looked in prospect.

But as the two sides turned round, Royal seemed to have lost the plot and EH were ahead again in the 55th minute. A corner from Mark Stevenson found Mark Ince totally unmarked and the powerful striker's bullet header flew into the net.

Five minutes later the home side went 3-1 up with a goal that seemed to knock the fighting spirit out of the Royal.

A Mark Stevenson rocket corner, flew directly over the head of goalkeeper Martin Hurst into the back of the net for a spectacular goal and suddenly the visitors were facing their first defeat of the season. After this, Royal's only serious threat came from a good effort from David Moss which flew just inches wide and the game now belonged to EH Football.

Mark Ince was denied a certain goal when he was brought down by Martin Hurst on the edge of the penalty area. And from his resulting free kick he was unlucky to see his powerful shot fly just inches over the bar.

However, Ince was to collect his second goal of the game minutes later and he did it in convincing style. Mark Stevenson set up the chance when he left two defenders sprawling on the ground and turned a great ball into the path of Ince on the edge of the six yard box. From that sort of range, this number nine makes no mistake.

Taking the ball in his stride, he buried the ball into the back leaving Hurst looking like a garden statue.

Realistically, the Royal Hotel can only lose the title by throwing it away themselves. Until this match that didn't seem a possibility

Neither did Stephenson's Rocket, until the man let it loose on an unsuspecting public. Be warned.

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