Newark Crowned CML North Champions

There was a top two finish Central Midlands League North on Saturday afternoon, Newark Town being crowned champions, despite losing away to Glapwell, as their nearest challengers, Club Thorne Colliery, crashed to a 4-1 reverse, when hosting Newark’s Notts rivals, and Trophy final opponents, Retford United.

In the end, just two points separated the top three sides, Retford’s one draw more denying them the title, and now must carry this win, into the final, whilst Newark will be looking for one last hurrah before leaving the CML for pastures new.

At Glapwell, the only goal of the games arrived inside the opening fifteen minutes, Town throwing all, including the proverbial kitchen sink, in search of an equaliser that failed to materialise; it mattered not however, they’d just about done enough to seal the title.

And then there was the Retford factor, the Badgers romping to a 4-1 win away to Club Thorne Colliery, a victory which saw them jump into the runners-up spot, on goal-difference, as Mark West (who else) fired a brace, one either side of the break, to put them on the road to victory.

Opening the scoring late in the first half, courtesy of West’s 47^th goal of the season, that lead was doubled deep into stoppage time, the hosts shooting themselves in the foot with an own-goal; then, early in the second period, West was on hand for goal number 48, before Liam Frost wrapped up proceedings, with his thirteenth, ten minutes from time.

In the CML South there was two Notts derby encounters played out, second bottom Arnold Town winning 2-1 away to Linby CW, the two sides separated by an own-goal late in the first half; Tremere Lindo opening the scoring for the hosts early on, whilst goals from Liam Black, and Sergiy Korposh affording the visitors victory.

The other game would see Sherwood Colliery Reserves hand lowly hosts, Nottingham FC, a 7-1 thrashing, Triston Burrell and Benjamin Jones bagging braces, whilst further goals were added by Matthew Hague, Eden Homer, and Bradley Newby.

Two of the Euro Soccer Company Nottinghamshire Senior League finals were also played on Saturday, both the Junior, and Development Cup competitions reaching their conclusion.

Stapleford Town Development edged a narrow, five goal affair, against Southwell City Development, on the Junior Cup Bradley Scard with a brace for the winners in a 3-2 win, Oliver Gratton with a double in reply; meanwhile, the Development Cup was a somewhat, one-sided affair, in favour of a dominant, Basford United Development.

Charlie Fox fired home a four-goal salvo as his side were cruising by five at the break; further goals were added through Kiamne Myemba, with two, and one apiece from Rory Harrison and substitute Mason England, sealing an 8-0 win.

In the league, three Premier Division games were played, with Sandiacre Town snatching fourth place from Keyworth United when they defeated mid-table FC Sez, 6-3, substitute Yoan Pevkov with a late brace to cap their season finale.

Awsworth Villa finished sixth after goals from Matthew Antcliff and Robbie Horsley gave them a 2-0 home win over Aslockton & Orston, whilst FC Cavaliers ended a poor campaign with a win, 2-1 over visitors, Wollaton, goals for the victors coming from Joey Ubido and Arnyda Wenazo.

Radcliffe Olympic sealed promotion, and moved four clear at the top of Division One with a 4-2 win away to Beeston, whilst Radford Reserves (fourth), and Beeston Old Boys (sixth) also notched four when on the road.

Away to Beeston, and with the hosts bagging two via Jason Jude and Jason Stonley, replies were plentiful for the visitors, Michael Moussa and Gary Watson affording a two-goal, interval lead, whilst second half goals came from Ed Smyth and Bassey Okon.

Radford won 4-1 at Hucknall Reserves as Jay Bugg bagged a double, and Beeston OBA edged a seven-goal thriller when at Kirton Brickworks; Ruddington Village complete the results with a 3-1 away win, they at Pythian.

This coming Saturday will see the remaining two, NSL cup finals as the Intermediate Cup has Bestwood Colliery and Shirebrook Soldiers, and the Senior Cup is AFC Dunkirk against Clifton All Whites FCB.