There’s nothing quite like a national cup run, be it in the FA Cup, FA Trophy, or the FA Vase – the players love it, the fans love it, there’s just something about it.
And, there’s been a few good cup runs across Nottinghamshire this season, including in that of the FA Vase, which saw its First Round played this past Saturday afternoon, three of the county’s six clubs progressing to the Second Round.
Of the three sides remaining from Notts, just one has received a home draw, Newark & Sherwood United’s reward for their 3-0 win over Ashby Ivanhoe, also at home, is the visit of Blackstones; meanwhile, that of Dunkirk, and Ollerton Town, are on the road, at Pinchbeck United (they saw off another Notts club in Sherwood Colliery) and Lye Town, respectively.
The Highwaymen led at the break thanks to a very early goal from Kieran Cummings, he notching in the opening minute of the cup tow with visiting Ashby, he getting on the end of a whipped cross from Kian Sketchley.
Although chances were few and far between during the first period, the visitors did see a spell of constant pressure on the home goal, winning several corners in quick succession, however, they came to nought, the hosts restricting their opponents.
Meanwhile, at the other end, the Highwaymen were also finding chances limited, Sketchley, off a pass by Nyle Blake, fired over minutes before the interval, they holding on for a solitary goal lead at the half.
In a game which saw a number of yellow cards dished out, the Highwaymen extended their lead when, with a little over fifteen remaining, home shot-stopper, Ross Woolley released a quick ball to Blake, the home striker wasting little time in breaking through the visiting defence, and slotting home.
Minutes later and Blake was at it again, adding his second, and the hosts’ third of the game, capitalising on a defensive error to fire home, and, barring any late disaster, put his side into the Second Round.
It was to be a victory that not only saw them keep a third, consecutive clean sheet, but also extended their unbeaten run to thirteen matches, ahead of Tuesday (25 October) league game, at home to Boston Town as they look to chase down leaders Loughborough Students at the top of the United Counties Premier North.
NEWARK & SHERWOOD – Ross Woolley, Ryan Ebanks, Ryley Thompson, Jonathan D’Laryea, Benjamin Richards, Kacper Rajter, Luke White (Ainsley Finney), Liam Mays (James Gardner), Nyle Blake, Kian Sketchely, Kieran Cummings (Callum Brooks)
Elsewhere in the Vase and Dunkirk progressed courtesy of a 2-1 win away to Racing Club Warwick, goals coming from Joe Harrison and McKenna Parton, and Ollerton Town saw off hosts Westfields courtesy of a penalty from Jack Hollis-Smith just before the interval.
Pinchbeck United’s reward for edging a seven-goal thriller away to Sherwood Colliery, is to host Dunkirk, Luis Rose having scored twice for the Colliery side in their loss whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare lost 2-0 away to Sandbach United, and Radford lost on penalties, following a 1-1 draw, away to Tivdale, Jordan Alls with the goal for the Pheasants.
FA VASE SECOND ROUND DRAW (Saturday 12 November)
Pinchbeck United vs. Dunkirk; Newark & Sherwood United vs. Blackstones; Lye Town vs. Ollerton Town
Around the leagues and Basford United earned a 2-2 draw away to St Ives Town in the Southern premier, Matthew Thornhill and Tyreace Palmer netting, whilst Carlton Town were beaten 2-1 when at North Shields, Aaron Opoku scoring for the visitors and Worksop Town romped to a 5-0 home win over Grimsby Borough, in the Northern Premier East, Liam Hughes and Liam Hardy both bagging braces for the rampant Tigers.
A brace from Shay Evans-Booth, one of which came from the penalty spot, saw Retford take all three points away to Parkagte, as they hold fifth spot in the Northern Counties East Division One, nine points behind leaders, Campion, and a point off the joint-third dup of Harrogate Railway Athletic, and Rossington Main.
Only two games included Notts clubs in the United Counties Premier, Selston and Eastwood sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw, and AFC Mansfield lost 2-1 away to Skegness Town, whilst Division One would see Clifton All Whites romp to a 9-1 home win over St Andrews.
Leading by four at the break, the Notts club were relentless, in both halves, David Kolapo and Ben Sandhu both bagging braces, further goals being added via Jamie Williamson, Sam Leggitt, David Chapman, Issa Gaye and Jeremiah Ogie.
Clipstone also had an enjoyable time in front of goal, winning 5-1 at home to Harrowby, and Hucknall Town eased past host Newark Town, 4-1, in a local affair, Craig Westcarr with a brace.
The Central Midlands League Challenge Cup would witness a ten-goal thriller between Bakewell Town and Teversal, the visiting Notts side progressing on penalties, Cameron Pinnick helping himself to a double.
Meanwhile, Linby Colliery Welfare also progressed, they winning 4-1 at home to Heanor Town, whilst SJR Worksop won by the same against visitors Graham Street Prims, Mansfield Hosiery Mills won 5-1 at South Normanton Athletic, and Nottingham edged past hosts Sheffield Development, 2-1, to progress to the next round.
In the league, Retford United (North) are eleven unbeaten in the league, with a sizeable gap to boot, after they won 2-1 away to Hatfield Town, Tom Brook and Mason Barlow netting for the Badgers, and Arnold Town (South) went down 4-0 at home to Pinxton.
As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, Woodthorpe Park Rangers top their Premier Division, as just six points split the top ten (tenth place Stapleford having up to five games in hand on those above them).
Basford CFC would pick up a 4-1 win at home to Cotgrave, and Keyworth United won by the same when at Wollaton; Sandiacre Town are fourth after they won 3-1 away to Top Valley, and the honours were shared between Aslockton & Orston and Radcliffe Olympic.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NigelOwen65 Ollerton Town celebrate their FA Vase win at Westfields.
