The all Notts affair in the Northern Premier League premier division went the way of Worksop Town on Saturday as the Tigers beat Basford United 3-1 with all the goals at Greenwich Avenue coming in the second half of the match.
The last game of 2024 leaves Craig Parry’s Worksop in third place on 43 points from 24 games and well within the playoff places all be it well behind leaders Macclesfield, who are managed by Robbie Savage, a whopping 13 points clear at the top from second placed Guiseley, themselves a point above Worksop with the top two having played a game less than the Sandy Lane outfit from Bassetlaw.
At Greenwich Avenue, a whopping 607 watched Luke Potter’s first game in charge after Martin Carruthers Xmas exit, United falling behind to not one but two Liam Hughes goals during the early stages of the second half, before their own centre forward talisman Ash Chambers netted to reduce the deficit on 65, but Aaron Martin’s instant reply restored the two goal cushion that gave room for away victory, United now in the relegation places after a poor run of results, stuck in 20th on 23 points from 23 played, they next face Ilkeston at the New Manor Ground on New Years Day, whilst Worksop host Gainsborough Trinity in another local derby in their first match of 2025. Both 3pm kick offs.
In the Northern Premier League East Division, Carlton Town ended their year with 3-1 victory over Garforth Town on Saturday.
In front of 200 plus at Stoke Lane the Millers took an early lead through Khyle Sergeant on five minutes before Lawrence Gorman doubled home advantage, Garforth did respond by pulling a goal back ahead of half time but shortly after the break, hot shot Lamin Manneh netted a third, to take Carlton to tenth in the table, they are not in action on New Years Day but Sherwood Colliery down in seventeenth most certainly are. The Mansfield based side travel to Belper Town in a 3pm kick off, a tough afternoon expected as Belper are currently second and challenging for automatic promotion.
Challenging for promotion from the United Counties League are Eastwood CFC who go into 2025 top of the table of the Premier Division North four points clear of their nearest rivals Bourne Town who do have two games in hand.
Eastwood ended their year with a 5-1 destruction of Melton Town in Leicestershire on Saturday, Tyler Blake grabbing a hat-trick amongst those who netted.
Also ending their year on a high were AFC Mansfield who beat Shirebrook Town 5-0 to go fifth in the table and occupy the last playoff slot, the Bulls are level on points with Newark Town who are fourth on the same points after the same games with same goal difference.
Saturday 4th January will see Eastwood host Hucknall Town in what looks to be a thrilling local derby, Hucknall beaten by bottom of the table Kimberley Miners Welfare 1-0 at the weekend are themselves in seventeenth and looking worryingly over their shoulder.
After 20 games in the UCL Division One with 47 points Retford FC lead the way at the top of the table, they face Clay Cross Town on Saturday who are second, the Derbyshire team a point below the Choughs with two games in hand, whilst Clipstone in third are on 46 points from 21 games, in a keenly contested division Retford United in fourth have 45 points, as do Gedling Miners Welfare in fifth, all be it they, have played 25 games which is more than any other team in the Division.
On Saturday Gedling travel to Clifton All Whites whilst Retford United visit Stapleford, in another all Notts affair West Bridgford host Southwell City at Regatta Way, all matches on the day, 3pm kick offs.
*Main image @RBIPhotography1 action between Basford United and Worksop Town.
