Despite a first loss of the season away to Boston Town, Newark Town remained top of the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League Premier North after Grantham Town in second, were held, and Sherwood Colliery, third, were narrowly beaten at local rivals Newark & Sherwood United.

With the Highwaymen sitting in eighth, it would be Kimberley Miners Welfare who’d benefit from slip-ups elsewhere, they winning 2-0 at AFC Mansfield on Tuesday night, whilst on Wednesday, Hucknall Town picked up an enjoyable, 3-1 home win over Gresley Rovers, and move into midtable.

Having slipped to defeat in their previous two outings, the Yellows returned to winning ways and started early when Niall Towle opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes; a deep cross, and a rising Towle, resulted in the Yellows striker powering home a header.

Both sides had chances, with the hosts having the upper-hand throughout, Towle missing a great chance midway through the first half, the hosts taking a deserved, interval lead.

As with the first half, the Yellows started the second with a goal as well, this time Lewis Belgrave collecting a through-ball into the box, creating space and finishing well in the fifty-first minute.

Less than ten minutes and the hosts made it three, Brad Wells with the finish low to the visiting ‘keepers right; visiting Gresley pulled one back shortly after but the Yellows had done enough for the three points.

Home shot-stopper, Alfie Smith-Eccles, denied the visitors with twenty remaining, whilst at the other end a handful chances were missed to put the game to bed, Hucknall claiming a well-deserved, 3-1 win.

HUCKNALL TOWN – Alfie Smith-Eccles, Cashmere Rowe, Dillon Rawson, Bradley Lathall, Aaron Short (capt), Taylor Jaine, Luis Parkes, Lewis Belgrave, Nialle Towle, Calrick Dunkley, Brad Wells (Surafel Tefera, Joseph Ashurst, Mykah Skervin, Samuel Sims, Max Scoular)

The only other Notts-based side to pick up a victory in midweek was Kimberley Miners Welfare, sitting fourth and amongst a plethora of clubs sitting on seven points.

The picked up a 2-0 win on the road at local rivals, AFC Mansfield, the win coming courtesy of a goal in each half from Kole Lambert.

A goalless first half in Boston, between the hosts, and visiting Newark Town, turned into a somewhat dramatic second with the hosts snatching the points at the death.

Matthew Cotton opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half for the hosts, with Alex Hales levelling proceedings with twelve minutes to go, he converting a corner from George Robbins.

The visitors won a penalty in the last minute however, Louis Czerwak’s effort was saved then, minutes later, Cotton popped back up to snatch the points for the hosts.

Newark & Sherwood United also suffered defeat, going down 2-0 at home to visiting Belper United, whilst the game between Eastwood CFC and Sherwood Colliery saw five goals, the hosts collecting a 3-2 win.

The two sides, sitting in the top seven, were back-and-forth throughout; Aaron O’Connor gave Eastwood the lead before goals from Jamie York and William Norcross turned the contest on its head, all three coming within an eleven-minute spell midway through the half.

Sherwood led 2-1 at the break, and were still leading with minutes to go, however, hosting Eastwood took all three points when first Philip Watt, then in stoppage time, Tyler Blake, kept the points at home.

This Saturday will see FA Cup Preliminary Round action, with several, Notts-based clubs, still involved; those matches are – Basford United vs. Hucknall Town, Coton Green vs. Eastwood CFC, Newark & Sherwood United vs. Boston Town, Rossington Main vs. Newark Town, Sherwood Colliery vs. Anstey Nomads

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @HucknallTownFC Aaron Short in action for Hucknall.