United Counties Premier Division outfit, Newark & Sherwood United, reached the FA Vase Third Round this past weekend following a 2-1 win at home to Blackstones, and will look forward to the draw with heightened optimism.
The Notts-based side, playing in-front of a crowd of more than 200, were indeed thankful for their shot-stopper, Ross Woolley, who’d pulled off a penalty save at the death, sealing progression, this after Ainsley Finney had opened the scoring early in the first half.
Woolley was seen to clear the ball up-field, Nyle Blake caused his usual mayhem in the opposing defence and, as the Blackstone defender played the ball back to his ‘keeper, Finney dashed in, getting there first, and fired home the opener.
As both sides had chances throughout, the visitors equalised within five minutes of the Highwaymen’s opener, the two level at the break; Blake played a hand in the second as well, flicking the ball on for Kieran Cummings beating the ‘keeper in a one-on-one scenario.
Woolley would be seen to be the difference-maker in the cup tie, making several saves throughout, none though were more important than at the death when saving a Blackstones spot-kick to keep his side in the competition.
NEWARK & SHERWOOD – Ross Woolley, Ryan Ebanks, Kian Skethcley, Jermain Hollis, Ryley Thompson, Romaine Graham, Luke White, Liam Mays (Toby White 80), Nyle Blake, Ainsley Finney (Jonathan D’ Laryea 69), Kieran Cummings.
The other Notts side in Vase action was Northern Counties East Division One outfit, Ollerton Town, who crashed out of the competition on the back of a 4-0 loss away to Lye Town; goalless until the hour mark, a quick-fire brace from Joshua Hesson setting the hosts on their way.
Southern Football League Premier Central side, Basford United, are sixth in table, eleven adrift of leaders Tamworth, after a hard-fought, 2-1 win, at home to Needham Market; coming from behind, Basford took the three points with goals from Anthony Dwyer and Gregg Smith.
Worksop Town collected a 6-1 win away to Hebburn Town, in the Northern Premier East, whilst a goal from Niall Davie, with a little over twenty remaining, gave Carlton Town the points at home to Pontefract Collieries.
Numerous Notts sides were in action in the United Counties divisions, with mixed fortunes, as Kimberley Miners Welfare claimed a hard-fought point when away to second-placed Melton Town, James Shaw netting in a 1-1 draw.
Lowly Selston claimed a point when home to Deeping Rangers, Bradley Parker scoring in a 1-1 draw, and AFC Mansfield won 2-1 when home to Sleaford Town, Kamani Wilson with a late winner; Sherwood Colliery meanwhile lost 1-0 when away to Wisbech Town.
Meanwhile, in Division One, the two local clashes finished in favour of the home side, Clifton All Whites seeing off Gedling Miners Welfare 3-2, and Clipstone defeated Newark Town 2-0, Daniel Kolapo with a brace for Clifton, who hold tenth.
Rainworth Miners Welfare were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Harrowby United, and Hucknall Town, just about holding on to fourth place, fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Saffron Dynamo.
Only a handful of Notts clubs were in action in the Central Midlands League, SJR Worksop losing 1-0 at home to Staveley Reserves in the Premier North, Linby Colliery Welfare (2-1 ay Mickleover RBL) and Mansfield Hosiery Mills (5-0 at Pinxton), in the Premier South.
The local dust-up came between Nottingham and Arnold Town, the visitors winning 2-0 with goals from Jamie Royle and Jake Ogden, whilst visiting shot-stopper, Darren Milnes, kept a second successive clean sheet in two outings.
As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, the Senior Cup took centre-stage, Ruddington Village top-scoring with a 6-0 win away to FC Georgie; AC United won 5-1 at FC Sez, whilst both Stapleford Town, and Sandiacre Town, scored four apiece at home, defeating Bestwood Colliery 4-0 and Basford CFC 4-3, respectively, and East Leake Robins won 3-2 at home to Cotgrave.
The one game played in the Intermediate Cup went in favour of the hosts, Kimberley Reserves winning 5-0 at home to Rushcliffe.
Woodthorpe Park Rangers (25) lead the Premier Division by two, but have played more games than their immediate rivals, Sandiacre (23), and that of Keyworth United, Top Valley, and Borrowash Victoria (21 apiece).
Dalton Stephens and Malaky Eshelby both notched braces as Woodthorpe won 5-1 under the ‘Friday Night Lights,; when home to Clifton FCB, whilst on the Saturday there was wins for both Top Valley (3-2 home to Wollaton) and Borrowash (4-3 at Awsworth Villa).
The remaining, Premier Division games, saw Aslockton & Orston win 4-1 at Ravenshead, and the spoils shared between Dunkirk and West Bridgford 11s.
In the other, NSL divisions, Beeston lead Division One, South Notts top Division Two, and Southwell City Development front up Division Three, clubs moving into double figures for games played.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @The_Highway_Men_ Newark & Sherwood line up to pay their respects during a moments silence.
