It was a case of high-scoring games, but mixed fortunes, for several Notts-based clubs in the Central Midlands Alliance at the weekend, and two of the cup matches involving local sides going to penalties.
The Buckingham Insurance League Challenge Cup took centre stage, although under the Friday Night Lights RHP Sports & Social were far from enjoying the visit of Doncaster City, Jordan Turner firing a four-goal salvo as the visitors progressed on the back of a comfortable, 7-0 win.
On the Saturday however there was joyful scenes for Blidworth Welfare and Linby Colliery Welfare, in the League Cup, and for Worksop Town Reserves in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup, whilst there were exits for SJR Worksop, Teversal, and Arnold Town.
Blidworth eased into the third round with a 5-1 home win over Castle Donington, second in Division One South, Archie Ward with a hat-trick for the hosts, whilst George Dyson and an own-goal helped them on their way.
Linby meanwhile had a tough battle when home to Holbrook St Michael’s, eventually winning 2-0 thanks to goals either side of the interval from Josh Wass and Archie Brown, the visitors missing a penalty shortly after going two down.
Worksop Reserves, they were involved in an eight-goal thriller in the S&H County Cup, they and visitors Holmbridge sharing the spoils in a 4-4 draw before the Tigers’ second string progressed 6-5 on penalties; Jamie Mudd netted a goal in each half, whilst there were further goals in the second period for the hosts from Harry Roddis and Jamie Purkiss, the latter with five remaining.
Teversal, who are undergoing changes of late, and Arnold Town, both exited the League Challenge Cup, the former by a lone goal against visiting Cromford & Wirksworth, the latter on penalties, following a goalless draw when home to Holbrook Sports.
SJR Worksop also exited the Challenge Cup, theirs following an exciting 2-2 draw at home to Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves, Joe Bean and Daniel Fitzakerley netting in the final twenty to take the game to spot-kicks; it was a game which saw all four goals arrive in the final, thirty minutes.
A handful of games were also played in the league as well, Ollerton Town finding themselves dismantled 7-2 away to Elite AFC in the CMA Premier North, the visitor’s goals coming from the returning Sam Stretton, and from Regan Edridge.
SJR Worksop Development opened up a seven-point advantage atop of the Division One North, although second placed Evo FC, unbeaten, have three games in hand; seeing off visitors Harworth Colliery Reserves 8-0 was to be the Devs’ ninth win of the season, Taylor Thackery bagging a hat-trick alongside a brace from Ryan Hurcombe, further goals coming from Kian Smith, Evan Stead and substitute Cole Purcell.
As for the sides in Division One East, leaders Shirebrook Soldiers, and fourth-placed Ashland Rovers, battled out a 2-2 draw, goals coming from William Dodds and Billi Holland for the leaders, and from Kyle Crook and Michal Gawlick for the visitors; meanwhile third-placed Kirton Brickworks missed the chance to close the gap on the top two when they lost 3-2 at home to Pilsley Community, goals coming from Jack March and Joe Tunard; Mansfield Hosiery Mills sandwiched between Kirton and Shirebrook.
And in Division Two, it was also defeat for Ashland Rovers Reserves, they going down 1-0 when home to Rowsley 86 Reserves.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @BlidworthFC respects paid as Blidworth and Castle Donington pay tribute to fallen heroes.
