Worksop Town’s reward for their 3-2 home win over Boston United in the FA Cup, is s trip to EFL League Two leaders, Stockport County, in the First Round, early next month.
Craig Parry’s side were made to battle before seeing off their National League South visitors but, with Liam Hughes leading the line, you can’t write off the Tigers these days.
Jordan Richards afforded the visitors the lead after fifteen minutes, he tapping home a well=worked free-kick, but the reply was instant from the Northern Premier League outfit, Hughes finishing off a move that was orchestrated by Terry Hawkridge, and went through Josh Wilde and Jay Rollins, before the latter released the Tigers hitman to stroke into the far corner.
An incident in the crowd held up play for a period just after the half hour mark, a fan having collapsed and was, following quick thinking of those around him, eventually taken to the nearby, Bassetlaw Hospital, the half eventually petering out as the sides went in level at the break at ones apiece; however, the goal-flow kick-started immediately after the restart, Aleksandrs Starcenko pouncing on a defensive mix-up and slides the ball into the back of an empty net.
Just a couple of minutes would elapse before Boston this time found an equaliser, Brad Nicholson heading home for 2-2 as both sides continued a tenuous game of chess; the winning goal though, that would come from the spot, just after the hour mark, when Hawkridge, again instrumental, sent the visiting shot-stopper the wrong way from twelve yards out.
Still time for more drama and, with a little over fifteen remaining, home captain, Hamza Bencherif, is given his marching orders for an over-reaction after ‘keeper Paul Cooper was fouled when clearing the ball, the ten men of Worksop holding on for a huge, 3-2 victory.
Worksop Town – Paul Cooper, Deegan Atherton, Josh Wilde, Sam Wedgebury (Paul Green, 65), Hamza Bencherif, George Taft, Terry Hawkridge, Aleksandrs Starcenko, Vaughan Redford, Liam Hughes (Luke Hall, 42), Jay Rollins (Jack Broadhead, 76)
In the Northern Premier League, Basford United suffered a lone-goal defeat when away to Marske United in the Premier Division, Eddie Church netting on the stroke of half-time, whilst late goals from Liam Bateman and Niall Davie gave Carlton Town all three points in their 2-0 win away to Ossett United in the NPL East Division.
There was no joy for the Notts clubs in the Northern Counties East Division One, all three suffering defeat – Retford United went down 2-1 at home to Parkgate, and that after Owen Fieldsend had afforded them an early lead, Jack Haslam snatching a late winner; Retford lost 4-0 at Horbury, and Ollerton conceded eleven when away to Wakefield, three different players bagging braces for the hosts and victors.
Better luck came the way of Notts clubs who reside in the United Counties League, Sherwood Colliery leading the way in the Premier North as William Norcross’ goal at home to Boston Town afforded them a 1-0 win, and sees them five clear at the top, with a game in hand.
Lowly Newark & Sherwood United also won 1-0, Liam Moran netting when home to Loughborough Students, whilst Hucknall Town drew 2-2 with AFC Mansfield, and Eastwood CFC saw the same result when at Skegness Town.
At Hucknall, Keelan Grist scored twice for the visitors in their draw as Bradley Lathall and Callum Orange replied for the hosts, whilst in Skegness, Eastwood missed the chance to narrow the gap on the leaders but came back with a point thanks to goals from Derek O’Connor and Oliver Robinson.
Plenty of games in Division One saw Lucus Cotterill score twice for Newark Town in their 3-1 win at home to Lutterworth Athletic, Scott Litchfield doubled up in Radford’s 3-2 win over Leicester St. Andrews, and Ben Selby bagged two in a seven-goal thriller at Southwell City, they edging visitors Dunkirk 4-3.
Both Gedling Miners Welfare (at Burstall United) and West Bridgford (home to Blackstones) drew 1-1, whilst Rainworth Miners Welfare and Sandiacre Town suffered big defeat at home.
Mixed results were seen in the Central Midlands Alliance, Retford Reserves winning 3-2 at home to AFC Bentley, and Woodhouse Colts losing 3-1 to visitors Chesterfield Youths in the Premier North; Linby CW dealt a five-goal blitz on visiting Nottingham FC and Mansfield Hosiery Mills drew 2-2 at Cromford & Wirksworth, with Teversal and Arnold Town both losing, in the Premier South.
As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, Awsworth Villa’s point at home to West Bridgford Colts IIs, see them edge ahead of second place Stapleford Town, but have played two games more.
Collingham, who lost 2-0 at FC Sez on Friday night, are third, whilst Wollaton are up to fourth following their 4-1 win on the road at Cotgrave; other results over the weekend saw Ravenshead edge visitors Keyworth United in a seven-goal thriller, Dunkirk and Borrowash Victoria win respective home games to Beeston and Aslockton & Orston by the odd-goal-in-five, Ruddington Village won by the same when away to Radcliffe Olympic, and Southwell City Reserves won 2-1 at Basford CFC.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Terry Hawkridge celebrates in the win over Boston.
