The semi-finals of the Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League’s post-season divisional cup competitions are now set after another round of high-scoring matches this past week.
Bingham Town booked their place in the final four of the Premier Division Cup earlier in the week when, on Tuesday night, they won 4-0 away to Cotgrave to confirm top spot in Group A, before completing a late double on Saturday defeating the same side 5-1 at home, to finish five clear of second-placed Keyworth United, who wrapped up with a 4-3 home win over Aslockton & Orston, and some twelve clear of Cotgrave in third.
They’ll host Woodthorpe Park Rangers who finished top of Group C, three clear of Magdala Amateurs following Saturday’s away walkover against the second-placed side; the other side of the draw meanwhile sees Ravenshead host Sandiacre Town after both sides ended their respective group campaigns with a draw.
Ravenshead topped Group B by a point from Southwell City after Alex Faulconbridge netted in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with visitors Burton Joyce whilst Sandiacre, they topped Group D thanks mainly to last weeks’ win at home to Ilkeston FCB (and a points deduction), wrapping up with a 2-2 draw away to Awsworth Villa.
The remaining Premier Division game would see Ilkeston complete the group stage with a comfortable, 5-0 home win, over Attenborough, Ayleal Dill and Ricco Spencer both among the goals yet again.
United Grays were the big victors in the First Division Cup, they progressing comfortably from Group D after a 5-2 win away to Southwell City Reserves, three of their goals coming from substitutes as Letissier Flemings and Luke Jordan were joined on the scoresheet by subs Luis Bastos, Ashley Blasdale and Aaron Evens.
They will host Group C winners, Wollaton Reserves, who drew 2-2 away to second-placed Beeston, who also qualify for the final four as the best runner-up, Ryan Pearson and Adam Wright netted for Wollaton, Benjamin Knight and Jason Stonley replied.
Beeston will host AFC Top Valley in the other semi-final, the Arnold-based side having drawn three of their last four matches, including Saturday’s six-goal thriller away to FC Sez, the spoils shared in a 3-3 draw.
Elsewhere in the divisional cups, Division 2 North would see FC Mansfield claim a 5-3 home win over Trent Vineyard, Joshua Booth with a brace, in a battle of the Group B also-rans, Beeston Old Boys Association having walked that one and travel to Blidworth Welfare Red in the semis, the other semi being that of Beeston Development against United Grays Community.
Division 2 South will see Fernwood Foxes and AC United, and Bingham Town Reserves and Ruddington Village Reserves meet in the semis, whilst in the Foundation Division it’ll be Netherfield Seniors against AFC Vernon, and AFC Bull Farm against Manor, the former finalising their place on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win away to Sutton Travellers, whilst the latter finished with a 7-2 win away to Sutton Travellers as Jason Straw registered a hat-trick, and Sam Murphy a brace.
PREMIER FIVISION CUP SEMI-FINALS
Bingham Town vs Woodthorpe Park Rangers; Ravenshead vs Sandiacre Town.
FIRST DIVISION CUP SEMI-FINALS
United Grays vs. Wollaton Reserves; Beeston vs. AFC Top Valley.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @n55ffc Aaron Large and co celebrate a goal for Bingham Town.
