The opening rounds of the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League’s cup competitions took place on Saturday afternoon, a number of clubs looking to progress in that of the Senior, and Intermediate Cup, whilst the leagues’ Development Division, also burst into life.
In the cups, there was plenty of goals scored as Keyworth United top-scored with thirteen, along with eight apiece from Bestwood Colliery and Aslockton & Orston, and seven from Radcliffe Olympic, all in the leagues’ flagship, Senior Cup.
At Platt Lane, hosts Keyworth put Bilborough Town to the sword, registering thirteen without reply, Ryan Smith claiming a double hat-trick in his sides’ 13-0 win; alongside six from Smith was a brace from Harry Chiarella, and a goal apiece for Ian Marley, Sam McKenzie-Small, and substitute Lucas Garner, they progressing in some style.
Bestwood won 8-1 at home to FC Cavaliers as Jake Fisher scored a hat-trick, as well as there being braces for both Ryan Tinsley and Lewis Williamson, whilst Aslockton won 8-0 when on the road at Kirton Brickworks, a hat-trick and two braces there also, Pierce Hallam, Sam Breakwell and John Revell respectively.
As for Radcliffe, they saw off visitors Gedling Southbank 7-1, Ben Cooke with a four-goal haul whilst East Leake Robins, FC Geordie, and West Bridgford Colts IIs all won 2-1, Sandiacre Town saw off Woodthorpe Park Rangers 3-2 (Joshua Mundell scored twice for the victors), and Ruddington Village won 4-2 on penalties when at Borrowash Victoria, following a 2-2 draw.
Three games were played in the Intermediate Cup, all of which would see the home side progress to the next round with Rushcliffe defeating Calverton Miners Welfare 4-1, Callum Baker with a brace, FC Pelican defeated Southwell City Reserves 3-2, and Shirebrook Soldiers eased to a 2-0 win against Bull Farm United.
Only two games were played in the Premier Division, FC Sez winning 5-3 at home to Dunkirk to move fifth, Liam McCormack and Cameron Thurgood both notching braces, whilst the game between Wollaton and AFC Top Valley finished in a 2-2 draw.
AC United moved top of Division One, with a game in hand, following their 4-0 home win over Hucknall Town Reserves, whilst Bingham Town moved into fifth with a 1-0 win against Beeston OBA; Stapleford Town Reserves are seventh after they saw off Kimberley Reserves 5-1, and PMG Elite won 1-0 at home to Radford Reserves.
FC Mansfield’s 4-0 win away to Blidworth Red saw them move joint-top, slotting between that of Shirebrook and FC Pelican, who were on cup duty; Mansfield’s scorers were Jordan Coleman, Ryan Dakin, Cory Wild, and substitute Jerome Carr.
The other games in the division would see both AJ Sports and Carlton Town Lions win 4-2 away to Phoenix Top Spot and Greyfriars respectively, Ashley Cooke with a treble for the Sports, and Aaron Sisson a double for the Lions, whilst Pythian, and South Notts, defeated Wollaton Reserves and Fernwood Foxes, 2-1 at home.
Cotgrave Reserves moved level with Southwell Development atop of Division Three after they defeated Wollaton Devs 3-1, and Arnold Reserves moved within two of the joint-leaders with a 3-1 win of their own, away to Ravenshead Reds.
Just three points split fourth to eighth as The Rossoneri lost 3-2 away to Colsterworth, and Trent Vineyard saw off visiting AFC Bull Farm 4-2; whilst Carlton Town Lions Blue defeated Eastwood & Kimberley 1-0, and Elston United won 5-1 at Phoenix Inham, James Clarke with a double.
Six of the eight sides in the NSLs Development Division also kicked off their season, Bingham Town Development winning an eleven-goal game away to Nottingham Community, 8-3, the hosts seeing Nico Zaloumis score a hat-trick, whilst the winning visitors romped home with braces from Jacob Williams and Thomas Balchin, alongside a further four goals from Luca Kemish, Joshua Mulliss, James Keen and Matthew Spencer.
Remaining games both saw 2-1 scores as Beeston Reserves won at home to West Bridgford Development, and Great Gonerby claimed the points at Meden Vale Colts Development.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Grassroot_TV Keyworth & Bilborough pay their respects for the Queen on Saturday.
