As the other two games involving Nottinghamshire-based clubs in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North finished level, it would be Blidworth Welfare, at home to Bentley, who enjoyed a winning afternoon.

A second half brace from Archie Ward helped the top five hopefuls towards a valuable three points, they having led midway through the first half courtesy of Liam Carver’s goal on twenty-five minutes.

Sandwiched between the Ward brace, and Blidworth’s third goal of the afternoon, would see some great build-up play from George Dyson, Kelton Ashby, and Dillon Hodgkinson, across field, before the ball found it’s way to Triston Burrell, who fired home after taking a touch to control on the corner of the box.

Victory for Blidworth sees them in sixth, on goal-difference from Elite AFC, and a point behind fourth place Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Ollerton Town, for whom Ashley McEwen netted.

The Worksop Derby also took place on Saturday afternoon, seventh place Worksop Town Reserves and ninth place SJR Worksop, sharing the spoils in a goalless draw.

In the Premier South, Linby Colliery Welfare moved into second place thanks to a 2-0 win at home to second bottom Gresley Rovers Reserves, Ewan Gibson netted from the spot midway through the first half, and Mason Moore added the second ten minutes into the second.

Victory for Jonathan Wass’ Linby side sees the gap on leaders South Normanton Athletic standing at fourteen minutes, with the Notts-based club having three games in hand; Melbourne Dynamo, a point further back in third have five in hand themselves on the leaders.

At the other end of the table meanwhile, Teversal have had a stunning week, one which was wrapped up with a 4-1 win away to AFC Normanton; Cory Buron scored twice along with goals from Kurtis Bamford and Joshua Parfitt.

Meanwhile there was defeat for Mansfield Hosiery Mills, they going down 3-2 when away to Wirksworth Ivanhoe as Thomas Torrington and Aston Thompson netted for the visitors.

The top two in Division One East clashed at the home of second place Ashland Rovers, they being edged in a five-goal, end-to-end game, against the visiting leaders, Shirebrook Soldiers, for whom Ben Charlesworth netted a brace, Owen Biddle also netting, whilst Edward Morgan and Owen Taylor-Parfitt scored for the hosts.

There was an eight-goal thriller ad RHP Sports were held to a 4-4 draw away to Pilsley Community; Jack Lewis scored twice for Pilsley, whilst Aiden Horner did the same for RHP, alongside goals from Rhuel Samuels and Jason Thurlby; and Mansfield HM Blue edged visiting Long Bennington 2-1.

Elsewhere, in the quarter-finals of the Division One Cup, it was the exit for both Notts clubs, Linby Reserves going down 3-0 away to Evo FC, and Kirton Brickworks were edged 2-1 at home to Little Eaton.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @SJRWorksopFC action between SJR and Worksop Town Reserves.