As the season, especially in non-league, slowly edges towards its close, the games continue to flow and, with Notts County having made this seasons’ National league Play-off final, at the top end of the non-league pyramid, the lower echelons continue to produce.
Several games were played out in the Central Midlands League South over recent days, going back to the 4 April when Arnold Town lost 3-1 away to Mickleover RBL, Daniel Chambers netting for the visitors.
The following night, and again on the road, this time under those Friday Night Lights, Linby Colliery Welfare picked up a 2-1 win away to Ashland Rovers, Mason Moore with a brace for the winners, whilst on Saturday afternoon, there was time for one, final, local derby to be played out.
Teversal, the highest placed of the Nottinghamshire clubs in the division, were away to Mansfield Hosiery Mills, a couple of places beneath them; just the one goal was needed to separate the two sides, Jason Heppell netting for Tevie just before the hour mark for the win.
The closing stages of the Nottinghamshire Senior League are also in full swing, and we finally have a champion in the Premier Division, Stapleford Town, having been playing catch-up for a number of weeks, took over top spot recently, and wrapped up the title with a game to spare.
Hosting second bottom Ravenshead, Town took the title courtesy of a comfortable, 9-0 rout, as Riley Phillips bagged a hat-trick alongside braces for both Aaron Large and Joe Airey, further goals being added by Surafel Tefera and Kieran Driver.
Town still have two games left to play, Keyworth United in the Nottinghamshire FA Saturday Trophy, on Wednesday 10 April, and away to Aslockton & Orston, in their final league fixture, three days later (13 April).
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Sandiacre Town finished third, although they lost their last game of the season, 3-2 at home to thirteenth placed Cotgrave, the visitors coming from behind at the interval to snatch victory.
Awsworth Villa, who still have a game to play, boosted their hopes of a top ten finish when defeating visitors Radcliffe Olympic, 7-2, braces coming from Thomas Scott and substitute Aaron Coyle, and, under the lights, on Friday, Basford CFC won 4-0 away to Borrowash Victoria to finish fourth.
In Division One, any of the top three of Ruddington Village, Southwell City Reserves, and Beeston, can still win the title, there being a handful of games still to play; two of those were in action as Southwell’s Reserves won 1-0 away to Bingham Town, and Beeston win 3-0 at Kimberley miners Welfare Reserves.
Shirebrook Soldiers, due to games in hand (five to play overall), can still snatch the Division Two title away from leaders West Bridgford Colts IIIs (two left); the Colts drew 2-2 at the weekend, away to Keyworth United Reserves, whilst the Soldiers, courtesy of a four-goal haul from Ben Charlesworth, won 5-2 away to Carlton Town Lions.
Whilst Division Three, with just one game remaining, sees a point splitting the top two of Southwell City Development, and AFC Colsterworth S&S; the second placed side keeping in touch following a 3-2 win at Southwell at the end of April.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @STFCseniors Stapleford Town crowned the NSL premier division champions.
