They’re just about keeping pace, and with three games in hand a fifteen-point deficit is, just about, surmountable, but can Cotgrave, second in the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, catch runaway leaders FCV Grace Dieu.

Both sides bagged five goals in respective wins on Saturday afternoon, both having a player(s) score twice as well; the leaders, they won 5-1 away to bottom club Radcliffe Olympic, stretching their unbeaten run to eleven in all competitions, and their league run to an impressive, nineteen matches, Hassan Farouq and Spencer Weir-Daley both doubling up.

Cotgrave on the other-hand, they’re unbeaten in their last six league games (since the loss to Grace Dieu), following their 5-0 success at home to mid-table FC Cavaliers, Patrick Ferguson notching a brace to keep hopes alive.

Jack Robb’s lone effort for Aslockton & Orston saw them strengthen third with a win at West Bridgford, whilst Stan Logan scored twice for fourth place Keyworth United in their 3-1 win over visiting Beeston.

Awsworth Villa moved into the top ten when edging a five-goal thriller away to Collingham, Garvie Cameron netting twice for the hosts whilst the visitors scored via Louis Meadowcroft, Thomas Scott, and Cameron Thurgood.

Jordan Richardson was on-target twice as Ruddington Village defeated visiting Woodthorpe Park Rangers 3-2, and a goal in each half from Ross Haigue and John Cullen gave Borrowash Victoria the win at Wollaton, Cullen’s being a whipped free-kick from the edge of the box.

Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves hold a three-point lead atop of Division One after they won 2-0 away to PMG Excel, Bijan Pakrouz and Kian Hughes netting in the second half, whilst second place East Leake Robins fell to a 3-2 loss away to Meden Vale Colts.

Colsterworth hold onto third place following a 2-2 draw at home to Ravenshead, and AC United are fifth following their 3-1 home win over Sandiacre; there were also away wins for Clifton All Whites Reserves and Bilborough TRD, at Hucknall Town Reserves (1-0), and Stapleford Town Reserves (2-1) respectively.

Elston United stretched their lead in Division Two to five points (with three in hand) from Notts Olympic following their 3-1 home win against Rossoneri, the hosts’ goals coming within a dozen, first half minutes, from Rui Thacker, James Smith, and Joe Wroughton.

AJ Sport was held to a 1-1 draw at Southwell City St Marys, Greyfriars won 2-1 away to Gedling Southbank, and bottom club Calverton Miners Welfare picked up only their fourth point of the season following a 2-2 draw at home to Arnold Town Reserves, the hosts finishing the game with nine men.

AFC Parabellum moved to within nine points of Division Three leaders, Beeston Reserves, after the former won 3-0 at home to Collingham Reserves, third place Langwith Whitestar

drew 2-2 away to Ravenshead Reds, and Cotgrave Reserves, in fourth, drew 1-1 at Rushcliffe Reserves.

As for the Development Division it’s still neck-and-neck between Newark & Sherwood United, and Attenborough, after both sides picked up home wins, the former won 2-1 against AFC Warriors, and the latter, a 5-1 win over Cotgrave, whilst Linby eased past visiting South Notts 5-2, the latter still to register a point.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @JimBethel nine men Calverton hold Arnold Reserves in Division Two.