With the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League already in full swing, Saturday’s action would see the opening, Extra Preliminary Round, of the Emirates FA Cup, take place, and with it the early presence of seven, Notts-based clubs.

Of the seven involved, four progressed to the next round, one faces a replay, and two exited, the latter being that of AFC Mansfield (2-1 at Blackstones) and Kimberley Miners Welfare (2-0 at Boston Town).

Both Sherwood Colliery and Newark & Sherwood United progressed on the back of 4-1 successes, the former at home to Bugbrooke St. Michaels, and the latter away to GNG Oadby Town.

At Debdale Park, the hosts led by a sole, Eden Horner header following a free-kick by Jamie York; the lead could have been doubled early in the second but Luke Morgan’s effort hit the upright before an own-goal afforded some breathing space after a ball into the middle from Joyce.

The right flank was proving fruitful for the hosts, and a burst down that from Jacob Pearce led to their third goal, his pass-back to William Norcross being struck home from the edge of the box; Kieran Knight wrapped up the scoring with The Wood’s fourth of the game, he being played in by Craig Westcarr.

SHERWOOD COLLIERY – Harrison Leach, Lynden Joyce, Oliver Lobley, Jobe Shaw, Nicholas Hood, Luke Morgan, Jamie York (capt), Jacob Pearce, Kieran Knight, William Norcross, Eeden Horner (subs – Alexander Duhameau, Lewis Warnaby, Jacob Barrass, Carter Widdowson, Craig Westcarr, Harry Bircumshaw, Jordan Pierrepont)

Newark & Sherwood meanwhile made the trip to Leicestershire, and Premier South side, GNG Oadby Town, The Highwaymen netting twice in each half to progress.

Aaron Coyle opened the scoring inside fifteen minutes after a short free-kick from Luke White, before a spot-kick from White ten minutes doubled the advantage after Jav Smith had been fouled.

Scott Floyd rifled home the third, from the edge of the box, early in the second half, before White shot one into the bottom corner to put the visitors out of sight with less than twenty remaining; the visitors pulled one back from the spot with five minutes remaining, but any hopes of a comeback was too little, too late.

NEWARK & SHERWOOD UNITED – Liam Flitton, Scott Floyd, Toby White, Luke White (capt), Tyrell Shannon-Lewis, Aaron Coyle, Prad Bahrey, Lewis Daff, Charlie Ward, Javanne Smith, Kyle Watkins (subs – Tom Ward, Lewis Jacobi, Joseph Smith, Joshua Parker)

Hucknall Town progressed following a five-goal thriller when home to Yaxley, Niall Towle’s brace coming from the spot with a goal from Lewis Belgrave sandwiched between in their 3-

2 win, whilst Newark Town also progressed following a 2-1 win at Grantham Town, Matteo Perkins and Louis Czerwak with the goals.

Aaron O’Connor scored twice, including the equaliser in stoppage time, to earn Eastwood CFC a replay following their 2-2 draw at home to Gresley Rovers, whilst there were exits, away from home, for both AFC Mansfield and Kimberley Miners Welfare.

There was plenty of action, and goals meanwhile, for the Notts clubs across Division One, with ten games taking place, Dunkirk and Stapleford Town leading the way with 6-0 win against local rivals, Clipstone (home), and Rainworth Miners Welfare (away), respectively.

William Gillies scored twice in Dunkirk’s victory, whilst there was a hat-trick of own-goals featuring in Stapleford’s rout; Ryan Hlabangana also scored twice as his Sandiacre Town side won 4-0 at home to Sleaford Town, and West Bridgford won 2-0 away to South Normanton Athletic courtesy of Max Shilton and Ulus Hussein goals.

Several draws were witnessed with Clifton All Whites and Shirebrook Town (2-2), Coalville Town and Retford United, and Retford and FCV Grace Dieu (1-1), and Pinchbeck United and Radford (0-0).

The two remaining games ended in defeat for local sides as Southwell City were beaten 3-2 away to Swallownest, and Gedling Miners Welfare were edged 1-0 away to Staveley Miners Welfare.

Midweek fixtures for Notts-based clubs are as follows – DIVISION ONE Dunkirk vs. Clifton All Whites; Holwell Sports vs. Radford; Pinxton vs. Clipstone; Rainworth Miners Welfare vs. Dronfield Town; Sandiacre Town vs. FCV Grace Dieu; Shirebrook Town vs. Retford; Sleaford Town vs. Southwell City (all Tuesday 5 August); Retford United vs. Staveley Miners Welfare; West Bridgford vs. Coalville Town (Wednesday 6 August)

FA CUP EPR (Replay) Gresley Rovers vs. Eastwood CFC

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @SCFC_08 Sherwood Colliery are through to the next round after a 4-1 win.