There’s been play-off semi-finals, and finals, for the Nottinghamshire non-league scene, this past week, but there’s been no joy for the county’s clubs as Worksop Town, Carlton Town, Newark Town, and Retford United, all suffered defeat in their respective outings.
Elsewhere, and lower down the great footballing pyramid, their was success on the field for Central Midlands Alliance clubs SJR Worksop (Premier North), and Linby Colliery Welfare (Premier South), Teversal, Arnold Town and Mansfield Hosiery Mills also picking up a point apiece, the platter two against each other.
Midweek would also see Wollaton claim the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy, following a 4-1 success over Keyworth United, the winners looking for a top three finish in the Nottinghamshire Senior League, although defeat at Basford CFC hampered the push for runners-up.
In the Trophy however, Wollaton were three to the good at the break as Jarrod Westcarr led the charge to silverware with a brace, he being joined on the scoresheet by additional goals off Archie Wood and Ryan Pearson.
Also in midweek, and in the play-offs, Worksop were beaten 3-1 away to Macclesfield in the Northern Premier League Premier Division semi-final, Regan Hutchinson with the Tigers’ consolation effort with a little over fifteen remaining.
The NPL East Division semi-final for Carlton Town also went south, well north to be precise, as they fell to Stockton Town, 2-0, with the Anchors going on to gain promotion following one of those, classic finals, against north-east rivals Dunston UTS on Saturday afternoon (5-3 on penalties following a 4-4 draw after-extra-time).
Also on Saturday it was the turn of Retford United, in the Northern Counties East semi-final, they also coming up short when losing 2-1 away to Beverley Town, Derek O’Conner keeping the Badgers in with a shout with a goal late in the first half.
In the CMA meanwhile, and with a handful of games still to play across the board, Premier North outfit, SJR Worksop sit seventh following their 7-1 win away to bottom club Glapwell, a trio of braces coming via Matty Templeton, Kieran Taylor, and Jaden Thackley, with Brandon Ashmore also netting for the visitors.
It’s been a tough season for local clubs in the CMA South with Linby Colliery Welfare the highest placed (9) following their 2-1 win at Cromford & Wirksworth, goals coming from Connor Gillan and Josh Wass, both from Mason Moore corners.
The other four Notts-based clubs are hovering above the relegation zone, Teversal (14) drawing 3-3 away to AFC Normanton, goals coming from Ethan Glaves, Connor Bower and Oliver Baines, they sandwiched between that of Mansfield HM and Arnold Town, and ahead of the latter on goal difference.
Arnold hosted Mansfield HM, the two sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Toby Francis netting for the hosts, Luke Smithson the visitors, the latter having games in hand on most around them.
Champions Stapleford Town closed their NSL Premier Division campaign with a 3-1 defeat off visitors Woodthorpe Park Rangers, whilst there were also defeats, on the road, for both Wollaton and Cotgrave.
There was plenty of goals elsewhere in the division, Mason Booth-Davis with a four-goal salvo for Borrowash Victoria at home to FC Sez, Ravenshead edged visiting Aslockton & Orston 4-3, and goals galore arrived in the game between Radcliffe Olympic and Beeston.
The mid-table visitors claimed a 7-2 success as Tom Coupe bagged three alongside braces from both Morgan Bell and George Weatherall, and Southwell City Reserves saw off their visitors, West Bridgford Colts IIs 4-1, Henry Eastgate with a brace.
Lower down the NSL and FC Cavaliers have won the Division One title by two points from runners-up FCV Grace Dieu, closing with a four-match winning streak; Colsterworth Sports & Social Club have won the Division Tow title from Rushcliffe and with two games remaining for them won 9-0 at Nottingham Greens on Saturday as Junior Gaskin and Sam Scothern both bagged trebles, and Gedling Southbank have taken Division Three, with a more than ten point advantage on the chasing pack.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @wollatonfc the Notts FA Senior Trophy winners Wollaton FC.
