The football may nearly be over-and-done with, in fact some clubs and leagues have already wrapped up their respective season and preparing for the upcoming play-offs, but there’s still a bit to be played for.
In Nottinghamshire, that is still the case with several clubs, although Worksop Town’s hopes of making the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs took a big hit when in the north-east, they having been put to the sword when shipping four, second half goals, to lose 4-0.
Now, although the Tigers have two games in hand, teams like Ashton United, in a similar position, have the upper-hand, with games running out.
Carlton Town meanwhile, in the NPL East, slipped into the final play-off position, on goal-difference from Newton Aycliffe, following a 3-1 win at those to take pole position, and which sees them but a point behind fourth place Pontefract Collieries, with games in hand.
In the north-east themselves it was a differing, happier story for the Millers, who found themselves two goals to the good at the break thanks to efforts from Nial Hylton and Niall Davie, whilst Nathan Watson added a decisive third within ten minutes of the restart to bring the three points back to Nottinghamshire.
The United Counties League Premier wrapped up with Sherwood Colliery having completed their schedule, lifting the title, over a week earlier, and there being no Notts clubs making the divisions’ play-offs, those spots going to Lincoln United, Loughborough Students, Melton Town and Skegness Town.
At the other end of the table meanwhile Hucknall Town escaped relegation on goal-difference from Pinchbeck United; of the games played on Saturday, Eastwood CFC defeated visiting Kimberley Miners Welfare 2-0, Terry Atem with a brace for the hosts, and AFC Mansfield claimed a scalp in promotion-hopefuls Skegness 4-1, Kaylum Mitchell also netting two alongside goals from Keelan Gist and Jordan Smith.
There’s still plenty to play for in the UCL Division One, although Clipstone have wrapped up runners-up behind runaway champions, Bourne Town; the Cobras, they claimed a 6-1 win at home to West Bridgford as Gareth Curtis notched three and William Heather two in the rout.
Newark Town are also in the play-offs alongside Clipstone although they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Radford, Jevin Seaton and Grant Tobin netting for the hosts, Sean Devlin and Jackson Buckthorp earning a share of the spoils for the visitors.
Other results in the division would see Dunkirk win 2-0 at Clifton All Whites, and Selston snatch a 1-0 win at Sandiacre, whilst Southwell City lost by the same when hosting the champions.
Retford United are closing in on confirming a spot in the Northern Counties East Division One play-offs although they were held to a 2-2 draw when home to leaders Beverley Town, Jake Champion and Max Pemberton netting for the Badgers, Joshua Batty with a brace in reply.
Mid-table Retford meanwhile picked up three points when on the road at Athersley Recreation, Matthew Parkin with a brace in their 2-1 win, and already relegated Ollerton Town’s woes continued when they were beaten 11-0 at home off mid-table Selby Town.
It is the second time this season that Ollerton have conceded eleven, here Edward Dry fired five along with three other players bagging braces, their goal-difference, minus-161.
SJR Worksop sit eighth in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North after a 1-1 draw at home to Staveley Miners Welfare, Kieran Taylor equalising in the closing minutes, and lowly Woodhouse Colts picked up three points in their, 2-1 win at AFC Phoenix, goals for the victors coming via Liam Theakstone and Jamie Royle.
The CMA Premier South meanwhile saw defeats for the three Notts clubs in action, Teversal losing 1-0 at Mickleover RBL, along with heavy defeats for Arnold Town (6-2 at home off Melbourne Dynamo) and Linby Colliery Welfare (7-1 away to Graham Street Prims).
As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division Stapleford Town’s lead is down to seven points as Collingham played their final game in hand, a 1-1 draw at home to Beeston CFC, whilst Wollaton can slip between the two with success in theirs, but lost 2-1 at home to fifth place Cotgrave.
Other results saw Jack Robb net twice for Aslockton & Orston as they won 3-1 at home to Gresley Rovers Reserves, Keyworth Untied won 3-0 at Dunkirk, and Beeston saw off visiting Ravenshead, whilst on Friday night, West Bridgford Colts IIs won 2-0 at home to Ruddington Village, Conor Pauley and Owen Clark with the goals.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @worksoptownfc a tough defeat to take for Worksop at Morpeth.
