Plenty of games with plenty of goals for Notts clubs in the United Counties League on Saturday afternoon, although there wasn’t much to shout about in the Premier North, unless you’re Kimberley Miners Welfare that is.

It was a huge win at the foot of the table, on what was a landmark day for the home manager also; Kimberley Miners Welfare have endured a torrid season thus far, but picked up their third league win of the season when home to mid-table Melton Town.

For Kimbo manager, Ant Ward, it was to be his 200^th game at the helm, taking over, alongside Graham Furnell, back in 2019, and Ward, along with the Stag faithful, will be hoping they can kickstart a turn-around in fortunes.

They did leave it late on Saturday though, very late in fact, but a 2-0 win was mustered up to move them within six points of safety; Daniel Tuck gave the hosts hope with the opening goal four minutes from time, whilst at the death, home support was sent into dreamland when Aaron Coyle also netted.

Kimberley Miners Welfare – Ben Allsop, Louis Partridge, Zak Sandhu, Nathaniel Peters, Shea Thompson-Harris, Ryan Wheatley, Michael Pearson, Daniel Tuck, Josh Mundell, Paul Johnson, Aaron Coyle (subs – Saunders, Moffatt, Thompson, Ohumara, Raphael, Smith)

Only Hucknall Town and Newark Town came out of the remaining games in the Premier North unscathed, the former winning 1-0 at home to Wisbech Town, Niall Towle with the only goal of the game, and the latter being held to a 1-1 draw when away to new leaders, Bourne Town, who moved ahead of Eastwood CFC on goal difference.

Newark & Sherwood were on the end of a 4-1 loss when home to Skegness Town, Rio Molyneaux with a brace for the victors, Marley Fearon with an early goal for the hosts; Shirebrook Town lost 4-0 away to Boston Town, and promotion hopefuls AFC Mansfield slipped up when at Belper United, losing 2-1, Kian Sketchley netting late for the Bulls.

At the top end of Division One, four points split the top six sides, with the two Retford sides leading the way, both of whom collected 5-0, home wins, at the weekend.

The Choughs have hit the 50-point mark, and lead by two points, with a game in hand, they easing to a 5-0 win at home to lowly Coalville Town, Liam Bennett helping himself to an early brace in the rout.

Leading by the two at the break, Chris Woodhead’s sides added three more after the restart, through Iren Wilson, Samuel Tingle, and Scott Boden; meanwhile, the Badgers are also keeping pace at the top of the division, Ryan Hindley’s seeing Kieran Knight bag a double alongside goals from Charlie Dawes, Tomas Poole, and Brandon Kane, in the 5-0 win over Radford.

Clipstone (inactive) and Gedling Miners Welfare, complete the top five, the latter being held to a 2-2 draw away to mid-table Dunkirk; Lemar Carlin fired a four-goal salvo as Clifton All Whites saw off visiting Rainworth Miners Welfare, 5-2, and Declan Brown and Aaron Lamb were on target for Stapleford Town who won 2-0 against Pinxton.

Robbie Horsley netted late for West Bridgford, who lost 2-1 away to Blackstones, and there was a 1-0 loss for Southwell City when at Staveley Miners Welfare.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @KimberleyMWFC celebrations during Kimberley MW’s win v Melton Town.