Sherwood Secure Sixth Spot

Champions, and play-off contenders, Nottinghamshire certainly knows how to do it as both Worksop Town (Northern Premier League East) and Retford United (Central Midlands League Northern Premier) continued their title celebrations, whilst Hucknall Town, and Newark Town, confirmed play-off spots in the United Counties League Division One.

In the Southern League Central, Basford United were edged in a five-goal thriller when at Needham Market, going in at the break three goals down thanks to a first-half brace from Luke Ingram, and one for Callum Page.

However, a quick-fire pair of goals from Rev James and Anthony Dwyer, before the hour mark, made for an exciting finish in Suffolk, one which the Ambers couldn’t capitalise, returning home with just their pride.

Carlton Town also lost on the road, going down 1-0 away to Lincoln United, in the NPL East, whilst Worksop, the Tigers left it late to earn a point when at home to Ossett United, Liam Hughes netting in the closing minutes to finish the season unbeaten (19 games) at home.

Sherwood Colliery will finish the United Counties Premier Division season in sixth place following a 3-1 home win over promotion-chasing Melton Town, Ethan Wiesztort with a brace for the victors, scoring early in the first, and late in the second, Charlie Taylor also netting.

Kimberley Miners Welfare guaranteed themselves a top ten finish when romping to a 5-0 success on the road at mid-table Deeping Rangers; three goals to the good at the interval, Kimberley saw themselves home thanks to braces from James Shaw and Daniel Davy, alongside one for Ryan Wheatley.

Newark & Sherwood United also confirmed a top the slot when seeing off visitors AFC Mansfield 3-1, Liam Mays, Kian Sketchley, and Nyle Blake all netting in the opening half hour, Joshua Lawe replying late on, whilst Eastwood CFC lost 1-0 away Skegness Town.

The two Town’s, Hucknall and Newark, are both play-off bound in the UCL Division One, alongside Birstall United and Bourne Town, although Hucknall were beaten 1-0 away to mid-table Barrow Town, whilst Newark, they finished ahead of Radford following a 3-1 win at Blackstones, goals coming from Jesse Anderson, Tristan Drummond, and Jamie Lloyd.

Radford meanwhile, they won 5-2 in a local affair away to Dunkirk as Sacha Markelic scored once in each half alongside goals from Jevin Seaton, and substitutes Jordan Alls and Errol Campbell, Jack Oldham and Harrison Mellors with consolation efforts for the hosts.

Clipstone, who finished seventh, also won, 2-0 at home to Kirby Muxloe, thanks to first half goals from Jack Gibb and William Heather, and Liam Moran’s brace earned Southwell City a share of the spoils when at Saffron Dynamo; Gedling Miners Welfare meanwhile edged a local clash with Clifton All Whites, 2-1, whilst there was defeats for Rainworth Miners Welfare (2-0 at Harrowby United) and West Bridgford (6-1 to Ayleston Park).

Speaking of Gedling versus Clifton, that was heading for a goalless draw, literally, before it burst into life in stoppage time with three goals being struck after the ninety had passed; Paolo Piliero put the hosts ahead in the 93 minute, Joshua McGarvey equalised minutes later, before Kieran Hanson snatched a late, late winner, in the seventh minute of added time.

Champions Retford United overturned a half-time deficit against runners-up Dearne & District, in the Central Midlands League Premier, second half goals from Mark West, Owen Fieldsend, and Brandon Kane, giving the Badgers the points, whilst SJR Worksop crashed to a 4-1 defeat at home to Harworth Colliery.

In the South meanwhile a hat-trick from Jack McWilliams saw Teversal edge a seven-goal thriller away to Nottingham as Linby Colliery Welfare lost 5-2 at home to Clay Cross Town, and Mansfield Hosiery Mills went down 3-0 at Holbrook St Michaels.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, only a handful of games were played in the Premier Division, Basford CFC winning 2-1 under the Friday Night Lights against visitors Stapleford Town, whilst on Saturday, Ryan Smith scored twice as Keyworth United maintained leadership with a 4-2 win away to Woodthorpe Park Rangers, and Wollaton saw off visitors Aslockton & Orston.

Sandiacre Town reached the final of the NSL Senior Cup final, where they’ll face Hucknall Town Reserves in the final (13 May), following a 4-2 shoot-out win over Ruddington Village, the sides level at ones each after ninety minutes.

Ruddington, they hold a seven-point advantage atop of Division One from Southwell City Reserves, West Bridgford Colts IIIs hold a five point lead on Keyworth Reserves in Division Two, and Southwell Development are two ahead of second place AFC Colsterworth Sports in Division Three.