There were mixed fortunes for the handful of Nottinghamshire clubs in action in the Central Midlands Alliance this past weekend, one which saw victories for Blidworth Welfare, and Ashland Rovers, and a point picked up for each of Worksop Town Reserves, Linby Colliery Welfare Reserves, and Southwell City Development, the latter two sharing six goals, between two players.
Blidworth’s erratic form of win one, lose one, continued as they saw off visitors Ollerton Town on Saturday afternoon, to move into sixth place in the CMA Premier North; Reilly Hodge netted the only goal of the game as they now sit five points behind third place Elite.
Ollerton meanwhile, after a positive start to the campaign, have slipped down to tenth place, losing their last eight outings in all competitions – on a more positive note for the club, they have received a near £60,000 investment, said to be the single, biggest investment they’ve received.
Posting on their socials, a club representative said: “To end our look back at 2024, we’re celebrating the investment we received recently from Newark & Sherwood District Council.
“This funding, which totalled just shy of £60k, was a result of months of hard work and it helped to advance our site development, to a point where we are now in a really good place to kick on in 2025.
“The money has gone towards a variety of things, including the following…
▪️New LED Floodlights
▪️New Wooden Pitchside Perimeter Fencing
▪️New Tannoy system
▪️New seating for stand
“A big thank you to everyone at Newark & Sherwood District Council for their continued support in helping us achieve our ambitions of creating the best sports facilities possible for Ollerton and the surrounding area.”
Elsewhere in the North, SJR Worksop were edged 3-2 when away to leaders Dinnington Town, Joe Bean with a brace for thew visitors, and Worksop Town Reserves, who’ve games in hand on those above them, continued their climb up the table following a 1-1 draw when away to Kiveton Miners Welfare, substitute Shane Carver with the equaliser minutes from time.
The victory for leaders Dinnington sees them open a seven-point advantage on second placed Doncaster City, although they’ve played two games more.
Kirton Brickworks meanwhile, fourth in Division One East, exited the Buckingham Insurance Cup, losing 6-1 at home to AFC Bentley, fourth in the Premier North, Jack March netting what proved mere consolation for the hosts.
Ashland Rovers moved into second in D1E, on goal-difference from Mansfield Hosiery Mills Blue (seven behind Shirebrook Soldiers) easing to a 5-1 win away to fifth place Eastwood & Kimberley, their consolation coming via Alex Barker, whilst the victors saw five differing scorers in Liam Childes, Nathan Harrison, Edward Morgan, Warren Howard, and substitute Kevin Papworth, taking their tally to twelve in the last two, following heavy, back-to-back defeats.
Meanwhile, in the bottom half of the table, the game between Linby Reserves, and Southwell Development, saw the two sides share six goals, but with two scorers; Zach Hamilton netted a hat-trick for the hosts who, having led 1-0, came back from 3-1 down snatch a point, Connor Gorman with a treble for the visitors.
The only game in Division Two saw Ashland Reserves fall to a 2-1 defeat when home to Markeaton, Jake Dye with the goal for the Reserves, who remain eighth.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @KivetonParkFC action between Kiveton Park and Worksop Town Reserves which ended all square.
