Twelve points adrift of leaders South Normanton Athletic, and four games in hand (with Graham Street Prims sandwiched between in similar standing), it’s going to be some run-in for Jonathan Wass and his Linby Colliery Welfare charges.

Despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Mickleover RBL, Linby maintained their unbeaten home record this season, it currently standing at ten, although they did it the hard way.

In front of near 120 spectator’s, it would be the visitors who’d take an early lead as a miscued cross from Jake Dickinson drifted over Jack Walker and into the home ‘keepers far corner.

The game was levelled up just after the twenty-minute mark, the hosts having won a corner which, once despatched by Mason Moore, was headed home by Greg Conn, before the lead was gained a quarter hour later, a long throw from Ethan Fells nodded on by Conn and finished by Liam Cartledge, again with the head.

A goal and an assist for Conn, his afternoon spun on a sixpence a minute after the hosts took the lead, the referee handing out a straight red after he was deemed to committed a high challenge, and Linby had 52+ minutes to play with ten.

A failed clearance from a corner by the visitors led to they equalising, five minutes into the second half, Dean Oliver heading home, both sides pushing for a late winner as the game wore on, the hosts finding themselves very much aggrieved however with some late calls.

Finishing at 2-2, Linby stretched their unbeaten league run to seven matches, and welcome Mansfield Hosiery Mills in their next match, the fourth of six consecutive home games they are currently in the midst of.

Linby CW – Jack Walker, Joe Turner, Josh Wass, George Skevington, Ethan Fells, Corey Wood (Patrick Stefaniak, 66), Ewan Gibson, Spencer Pollitt (Ashdon Bernard, 70), Mason Moore (Smith, 77), Greg Conn, Liam Cartledge (Zachary Hamilton, 73; Jacob Sucharewycz, 82).

Fifth bottom Mansfield HM were held to a 1-1 draw away to fellow relegation rivals, fourth bottom Derby Singh Brothers, Aston Thompson netting for the visitors, whilst Arnold Town were firmly beaten, 4-1 at Gresley Rovers Reserves, Toby Francis with the consolation.

In the Premier North it was mixed fortunes for the two Worksop sides, a come-from-beind, 4-1 home win, against Ollerton Town, for Worksop Town Reserves pushing them into seventh place, and two points off the top five, goals coming from Daniel Gillatt, Kian Betts, Tyrese Bailey-Green, and George Jenkinson, Adam Scott having afforded Ollerton the lead after just three minutes.

SJR Worksop meanwhile, they’re in tenth following a narrow, 1-0 loss, when home to Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves, whilst there were plenty of games played involving Notts clubs in Division one East.

Shirebrook Soldiers boast a seven-point lead at the top after they won 2-0 Mansfield Hosiery Mills Blue, Jack Lyons and Brooklyn Gascoigne with the goals, whilst Ashland Rovers are second after they picked up a 3-1 win on the road at Long Bennington, Edward Morgan’s double keeping them in the mix.

RHP Sports & Social won 3-0 at Eastwood & Kimberley, and Southwell City Development won 2-1 against visiting Blidworth Welfare Reserves.

Ashland Reserves meanwhile, they exited they Division Two Cup, losing 5-2 at home to Mickleover Athletic Reserves, Thomas Martin and Ryan Turton with Ashland’s goals.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @FCLinby unbeaten at home still are Linby CW.