There was little to shout about for Notts clubs in the United Counties League Premier North on Saturday afternoon, although Newark Town progressed to the semi-finals of the UCL KO Cup with a come-from-behind win at Skegness Town.

Division One however, that’s still in the hands of a Retford side who’ve to contend with Clay Cross Town breathing down their necks, whilst there was also success for Clipstone, Southwell City, and West Bridgford.

Visiting Skegness, both the hosts, and Newark, created plenty of chances during the opening half hour of the cup clash, with the hosts eventually taking the lead ten minutes before the break, Bailey Dilley charging through the visitors’ box before squeezing his effort into Josh Wilson’s bottom corner.

Newark came close to equalising minutes later but a free-kick from Andrew Tsolakis, met by Sam Bartle’s head, only to be saved by Caleb Pipes-Goulsbra in the home goal, they going in with a lone-goal lead at the break.

Following a handful of changes early in the second, the visitors quickly turned the game on its head; Louis Czerwak, having replaced Lewis Chambers a little over ten minutes in, proving the main instigator.

Within five minutes of coming on Czerwak was played through on goal and slotted the leveller past Pipes-Goulsbra, add another five minutes and the turn-around was completed, Czerwak again with the goal when cutting in with his right and firing home.

There was time late on for Newark to blood a potential, new star at the club, 16-year-old Riley McGregor coming on for his debut in the closing minutes, the visitors having done enough to make the final four.

Newark Town – Josh Wilson, Mitch Griffiths, Andrew Tsolakis, Joe Braithwaite, Sam Bartle, Matty Clarke, Ritchie Ingham, Alex Hales, Lewis Chambers, Luke Horne, Sean Woolley (subs – Riley McGregor, Louis Czerwak, Sammy Wright, Ryan Rushen, Luke Parsons)

In the league meanwhile, both Eastwood, and AFC Mansfield, were the only Premier North sides to come out of the days’ games with anything, both being held to 1-1 draws; the former at home to Melton Town with Phil Watt netting, and the latter away to Heanor Town as Bailey Morgan scored.

Shirebrook Town and Newark & Sherwood United both fell to 2-1 home losses, against Harrowby United and Boston Town respectively, whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare suffered a 4-1 loss when on the road at Deeping Rangers.

Division One leaders, Retford, notched six without reply when away to lowly Clifton All Whites, netting three in each half; Ainsley Finney opened the scoring inside ten minutes with his first of the afternoon, Iren Wilson and Jacob Priestnall also netting before a devastating, ten minute spell, either side of the hour mark.

Finney notched his second, and Retford’s fourth, just before the half mark before Krzysztof Jarosz, on for Wilson, proceeded to nab a quick-fire brace on 64 and 67 minutes, to put the game to bed.

Clipstone are harbouring hopes of a play-off spot and, with a game in hand, coupled with defeat for Retford United (1-0 at home to Pinxton), will be more grateful of Gareth Curtis’ lone-goal in the win over visiting Sandiacre Town.

Both Southwell City and West Bridgford scored twice in their respective wins, Oliver Barrow and Christopher Okoye doing so as the former won 2-1 at Radford, whilst Lamin Jassey and Isaac Morledge notched for the latter at home to Gedling Miners Welfare.

The remaining games meanwhile saw Dunkirk lose 3-1 at home to Staveley MW, and Rainworth MW crash to a 4-1 loss at Coalville Town, Jordan Hudson and Cole McNulty bagging braces for the hosts.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @66slimbo Newark celebrate during their win in Skegness.