Collingham are continuing to chase early Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division leaders, FCV Grace Dieu, with Cotgrave firing up the rear in third after a sumptuous derby win at the weekend, in front of a strong, NSL crowd, of more than 300 fans.
There were also wins for Ruddington Village in the Premier, Bingham Town and Clifton All Whites in Division One, Gedling Southbank in Division Two, and some cup successes as the NSL Junior Cup also saw action.
Away to mid-table Aslockton & Orston, Collingham saw their early title challenge stutter when held to a 1-1 draw, Harrison Gomm’s goal for the high-fliers seeing them earn just a point on the road with the hosts netting through Tyrell Gordon.
Cotgrave meanwhile are breathing down the necks of the top two, with games in hand, after they claimed victory in the NG12 derby, in front of a hefty crow of some 316 fans, away to Keyworth United.
It was also a top-five clash, the hosts now sitting in fifth place after being leap-frogged by Borrowash Victoria, who won 5-2 at home to West Bridgford Reserves, for Cotgrave though, it was a brace from Franco Paz that gave them a delightful three points, and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Elsewhere in the NSL’s top division Daniel Mansfield bagged a hat-trick as Ruddington Village won 5-1 at home to Beeston, Wollaton won 3-1 against visitors Southwell City Reserves, and the game between AFC Dunkirk and Awsworth Villa finished in an entertaining, 3-3 draw.
Bottom of the table Woodthorpe Park Rangers on the other-hand, they exited the NSL Senior Cup, on penalties, following a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Division One side, East Leake Robins.
Bingham Town replaced AFC Colsterworth atop of Division One, the former winning 4-0 at home to Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves, the latter exiting the Lincs Junior Cup 3-2 at home to Crowland Town.
Scoring twice in each half, Bingham eased to a home win thanks to a brace from Jacob Boyes, and one apiece from Angus Millar and Kieran Stanley, their seventh win in nine outings in the league thus far.
Yerim Zoko bagged a hat-trick and Lewis Holmes a brace as Clifton All Whites Reserves eased to an 8-1 win at home to AFC Sandiacre Town, whilst Callum Baker scored three as Rushcliffe saw off their visitors, Beeston Old Boys Association, 6-2, substitute Wayne Rawlak with a consolation brace.
Gedling Southbank have opened a four-point lead atop of Division Two, and with games in hand on those directly beneath them, after they picked up a comfortable, 5-0 win, at home to Arnold Town Reserves.
Stephen King helped himself to a hat-trick, taking his tally to nineteen, in just nine games, with Anthony Clarke and Adam Walker also netting for a side whose goal-difference stands at +25, from their eight league games (won seven, lost one).
FC Pelican meanwhile leapfrogged Notts Olympic into second place after the former edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Wollaton Reserves, Fraser Holden with a brace for the victors, and the latter were beaten 2-1 when at mid-table AJ Sport.
Beeston Reserves have a four-point lead in Division Three after they won 3-1 at AFC Parabellum, and the in the NSL Junior Cup Joshua Cummings bagged four and Harvey Parker three in Collingham Reserves’ 9-1 win at South Notts Development, Langwith Whitestar won 3-1 at AFC Phoenix, Red Sea won 4-1 at home to West Bridgford Development (Adam Abdulaziz with a hat-trick), and Cotgrave Development won by the odd-goal-in-seven at Calverton Miners Welfare.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @JimBethell action between Gedling Southbank and Arnold Town Reserves
