Tigers Rising In National North

There were mixed emotions for Notts clubs in the weekend’s non-league action, with league, and FA Cup games being played out across the county; for one though, Worksop Town, they’re getting used to life in the Enterprise National League North.

Recent results for Craig Parry’s Tigers have seen them rise to eighth place, a point outside the early play-off placings, and just six off pace-setters South Shields; the reason for the surge up the table, a change in fortunes which sees them, at present, on a three-match winning streak.

At their Windsor Foodservice Stadium home on Saturday afternoon, they faced a visiting Chester side who, at present, languish in the bottom half of the table; goalless at the break, all three goals, in the 2-1 home win, arrived in the second forty-five.

Despite making several changes either side of the interval, and falling behind on fifty minutes when Connell Rawlinson netted, the hosting Tigers responded strongly, when, just six minutes later, parity was restored through a powerful shot from close range by Aaron Martin.

The same player turned provider with twenty remaining, Martin putting in a decent cross which was met by the head of home captain, Luke Waterfall, he rising highest and heading home what proved the winner.

WORKSOP TOWN – Tommy Taylor, Deegan Atherton, Luke Waterfall (capt), Dylan Cogill (Bailey Gooda, 55), Mason O’Malley, Joe Leesley (Hamza Bencherif, 92), Vaughan Redford, Aleksandrs Starcenko, Lewis Whitham (Chae Whitman-Brown, 27), Liam Hughes (Martin Woods, 84), Aaron Martin (Jordan Burrow, 78)

A handful of local clubs were also on Emirates FA Cup duty, Carlton Town they only one of four sides to win their First Qualifying Round tie, 3-0, against Step Three visitors, Cleethorpes Town; the highlight of the Millers victory, an audacious chipped effort from Ashley Chambers after been played through on goal, and lifting a sumptuous, right-footed, curling effort, over and beyond the visiting ‘keeper, and into the top corner. https://x.com/EmmaGroundGuide/status/1962068089505235009

It was one of two goals netted by Chambers, over a side that had beaten the Millers twice last season, the other a goal, a header from Khyle Sargeant midway through the first half they’ll now look forward to the draw with high hopes of both a great tie, and further progression.

Elsewhere though, it was defeat for the three remaining sides from the county; Basford United were beaten 3-1 away to Hednesford Town as Jordy Hallam’s second half equaliser was brushed aside by two goals in the final twenty minutes from the hosts, and United Counties pairing, Eastwood CFC and Sherwood Colliery, also fell by the wayside.

Eastwood were beaten 2-1 at home off Grimsby Borough, Tyle Blake netting for the hosts midway through the second half, and Sherwood, they were firmly brushed aside when away to Southern League Premier opposition, Quorn, as a five-goal, second half goal-blitz, capped an 8-0 win for the hosts with Zak Goodson netting a hat-trick and Simeon Osbourne a brace.

Kimberley Miners Welfare have moved top pf the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Premier North following their 3-2 home win over Belper United, Kole Lambert’s hat-trick putting them at the head of the table, with AFC Mansfield and Hucknall Town the only other, top flight winners.

The former edged hosts Clay Cross Town 3-2, Nathan Moss with a brace and Kaylum Mitchell a 91-minute winner after Clay Cross had levelled with two goals in the final five minutes, and the latter won 2-1 away to Melton Town thanks to second half goals from Lewis Belgrave, and a last-minute winner from Taylor Jaine.

In Division One the two Retford sides are currently leading the way, Retford United with a three-point advantage after a 1-0 home win over West Bridgford, Joe Lumley with the only goal, and Retford won 3-0 away to South Normanton Athletic thanks to goals from Rory Coleman, Nicolantonio Degirolamo, and Aaron Sennett-Neilson.

The Retford pair, on 22pts and 19pts respectively, also have games in hand on those beneath them with the next best Notts club being Sandiacre Town, down in ninth, who won 6-0 at Rainworth Miners Welfare, Jordan Lambert at the double, whilst there was also a 4-0 win for Southwell City at home to Radford.