Despite fantastic results across Nottinghamshire’s non-league scene this past weekend it would be a travesty not to begin the round-up with the five-goal thriller at Ollerton Town, of the Northern Counties East Division One.
Had they lost at the weekend, then their run of games without a win would have gone past the 200-days mark, that streak was snapped though, when hosting Swallownest, and was halted at 196-days – a long time in anyone’s books really.
Surprisingly, there was only one goal in the first half as well; the visitors had been awarded a penalty ten minutes into the contest only for Dylan Hough, in the home goal, to get to his left and save the resultant spot-kick then at the other end, the hosts led.
Ben Southwell was seen to fire the ball across the far post and, as Connor Eyes won the initial header, the then proceeded to beat the visiting ‘keeper to the loose ball and poking home; both sides had chances to add to the tally during the first period with Ethan Thorpe seeing his drive from 25-yards out, saved, and Harry Hurst heading against the bar at the back post.
The hosts led at the break, but it was short-lived in the second when, just seven minutes after the restart, they equalised through Alexander Kemp, he getting on the end of a corner; the lead lasted but twelve minutes as the second half suddenly picked up pace.
Thorpe would find himself past a couple of Swallownest challenges prior to firing home on 64 minutes, before Ethan Blackbourn equalised for a second time for the visitors, just four minutes later, making for a nervy, final twenty.
George Colton came close to netting what would have been a debut goal with ten minutes remaining, whilst a free-kick for the hosts saw Alex Gibbins head wide at the back post, before the winner, for Ollerton, arrived with a couple of minutes remaining, Harry Hurst getting on the end of a corner a heading home, beating the visiting defender on the line.
For the first time in 196 days, Ollerton Town win a game, final score of Ollerton 3 Swallownest 2.
OLLERTON TOWN – Dylan Hough, Sam Roebuck, Sam Cullingworth, Tom Sowden (Ethan Hargreaves, 65), Harry Hurst, Alex Gibbins, Ben Southwell (Jason Brentnall, 81), Ethan Thorpe, George Colton (Ivo Radzivilovics, 90), Connor Eyes, Callam Clarke (Ewan Birch, 57)
In the FA Cup, Sherwood Colliery’s run came to an end when home to Worcester City, the hosts having led at the break through Ewan Robson’s effort, the visitors though scoring twice in the second period for a 2-1 win; Basford United also crashed out, losing 1-0 away to Alvechurch.
The two Notts clubs to progress were that of Worksop Town, and Carlton Town, who’ve both been drawn against Lincoln United, and Rushall Olympic, respectively, in the Second Qualifying Round (16 September).
Worksop saw off visitors Sheffield, 4-1, as Vaughan Redford helped himself to a brace, his second coming in stoppage time, Jay Rollins and Terry Hawkridge also netting, whilst all the goals in Carlton’s win, 2-1 at Nuneaton Borough, came in the first half, Khyle Sargeant and David Adegbola netting for the victors.
Back in the league, and the two Retford clubs enjoyed success in the Northern Counties East Division One, the Badgers winning 1-0 on the road at Clay Cross Town, Lewis Mackaskill with a last minute winner on his debut, and the Choughs won a nine-goal home thriller with Nostell Miners Welfare, Liam Frost with a hat-trick alongside one apiece for Kenan McKenzie-Grey, Aaron Sennett-Neilson, and Haydn Goddard.
There wasn’t much local joy in the United Counties Premier North, Eastwood the only victors as they edged visiting Sleaford 2-1, Marcus Marshall and Ryan Tait with second half goals following a goalless, first half; AFC Mansfield (home to Deeping Rangers), and Kimberley Miners Welfare (away to Boston Town), both suffered 3-0 losses, and Hucknall Town suffered a 5-0 loss against visiting Pinchbeck United for whom Andre Williams bagged a brace.
In Division One however, Gedling Miners Welfare edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Newark Town, all of the hosts’ goal coming in the first half, Kieran Harrison with a brace; Dunkirk won 3-2 away to Kirby Muxloe with Jack Thatcher netting a brace, a goal at the end of each half; Clipstone won 3-1 away to Sandiacre Town; whilst Selston, and West Bridgford, the latter on Friday night, both won 2-1 at home, against Lutterworth Athletic and Saffron Dynamo respectively.
Meanwhile, the game between Radford and Clifton All Whites finished in a 1-1 draw, and there were losses for Rainworth Miners Welfare, 3-1 at Blackstones, and Southwell City, 3-0 at Bourne Town.
In the Central Midlands League, Retford Reserves edged hosts Chesterfield Youth 3-2 on Friday night, whilst SJR Worksop were edged 4-3 away to Kiveton Miners Welfare in the Saturday, in the Premier North; there was less joy in the Premier South as Teversal were the only side to come away with anything, they being held to a 2-2 draw with visitors South Normanton Athletic, thanks to goals from Danny Fletcher and James Whitmore.
As for the other clubs in the division, Linby Colliery Welfare lost 1-0 at home to Pixton, Mansfield Hosiery Mills were beaten 2-1 away to Normanton, whilst there was big defeats for Arnold Town (4-0 at home to Cromford & Wirksworth) and Nottingham (5-0 away to Graham Street Prims).
In the Nottinhsamshire Senior League, plenty of games took place in their Senior Cup competition as well, Keyworth United defeating Pass Move Grin 6-3 at home, Billborough Town defeating visitors West Bridgford Colts IIs 5-2, Radcliffe Olympic edging visiting Meden Vale Colts 4-3, and FC Cavs winning 4-2 at Southwell City Reserves.
One game went to penalties in the Senior Cup clashes, Awsworth Villa and Beeston having finished 2-2 was settled with the visitors winning 4-2 from the spot; and in the NSL Premier Division, Gresley Rovers Reserves won 4-2 away to Basford CFC, Collingham won 1-0 at Ruddington Village, and Aslockton & Orston defeated visitors FC Sez, 2-1.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @RobCurrell action from Ollerton’s win against Swallownest.