As scorelines go, 2-1 seemed to be the magic number in Saturday’s round of games with a good half-a-dozen plus finishing in that manner, including victory for Basford United in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Away to Matlock Town the Ambers netted through their usual suspects, they bagging a goal in each half, Jack Goodman opening the scoring inside the first ten minutes, and Jordy Hallam adding the second twenty minutes into the second period, with Conor Washington claiming a leveller midway through the first.

Meanwhile Carlton Town exited the Trophy by the same score, when away to Shifnal Town, Niall Davie scoring for the Millers, whilst in the Enterprise National League North there was defeat for Worksop Town when at Hereford United as Liam Hughes gave hope for the Tigers late on.

There was a handful of games played in the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League as Newark Town picked up a 2-1 win on the road at Heanor Town courtesy of Bradley McGregor and Harvey Grice in the Premier North, whilst in Division One there was an eight-goal thriller at Holwell Sports, who lost 5-3 when hosting Gedling Miners Welfare.

Gedling would claim victory thanks mainly to a four-goal salvo for Gianfranco Ciaurro, Kieran Harrison adding the other; West Bridgford were held to a 1-1 draw at Sleaford Town, and Rainworth Miners Welfare lost 2-1 against visitors Swallownest.

The majority of the remaining UCL sides were on cup duty themselves, vying for a place in the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Vase, with eight Notts-based clubs progressing.

Those eight were Sherwood Colliery, Eastwood CFC, Newark & Sherwood United, Kimberley Miners Welfare, Sandiacre Town, Retford United, Radford, and Clifton All Whites, the former of whom picked up a comfortable, 6-1 win, on the road, under the Friday Night Lights.

Away to South Normanton Athletic, Sherwood bagged four of their six in the first half with Ryan Ingram bagging a brace; amongst that double Kieran Knight and William Norcross also scored, with Knight seeing red late on as well.

The victors added two further goals in the second half when Jacob Pearce netted early in, and Craig Westcarr wrapped up the win in the closing minutes, George Morris with the hosts’ consolation effort.

Eastwood won 2-0 away to Leicester St Andrews thanks to Jevin Seaton’s first half brace, Aaron Coyle netted the only goal as Newark & Sherwood edged visiting Louth Town, and Joshua Timson did the same for Kimberley when at Pinxton.

Sandiacre blasted six without reply to see off their visitors, Holbeach United, Leo Almond with a second half brace alongside goals from Benni Wilson, Rhulani Sawa, Aboo Younis, and Jack Vipond, whilst Retford United saw off Bottesford Town 4-1 with Carlton Carty doubling up, again.

Meanwhile Radford and Clifton both hit five in their respective wins, the former win 5-3 at Southwell City, and the latter 5-0 at home to Pinchbeck United, both games having five different scorers for the victors.

It was, on the main, a bad day for Notts clubs in the Camper UK Central Midlands Alliance Premier, only Linby Colliery Welfare and Selston picking up wins in the South, the former winning 3-1 at home to Blidworth Welfare, the latter a 2-1 success at Derby Singh Brothers.

In the other games, the Mansfield Hosiery Mills – Graham Street Prims game in the South was postponed whilst in the North it was four defeats from four; Ollerton were edged 4-3 at Hatfield Town, Worksop Town Reserves went down 4-1 at home to AFC Bentley, and RHP Sports lost 4-0 against visiting Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves.

The other CMA North game, that saw SJR Worksop beaten 2-0 away to Kinsley Boys, as sides now catch-up with Teversal, who slip to second (they were inactive) after Dinnington moved a point above them following their win.

As for the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, it may take some catching Cotgrave this season, picking up where they left off last time around with a 7-1 win away to West Bridgford Reserves.

The win not only has them eight unbeaten, but a three-point advantage with a game in hand still, Ryan Smith’s hat-trick and a brace from Scott Litchfield keeping them ahead of second place Awsworth Villa, who won 3-0 at Notts Olympic, Darren Fotso with another two, and six off joint-third pairing, Kimberley MW Reserves, and Collingham.

The free-scoring Kimberley second string hit nine at home to FC Cavaliers and moved above Collingham on goal-difference, Alfie Newbold’s treble and Bernard Ankamah’s brace featuring, whilst Collingham were beaten 2-1 at home to Keyworth United, who’ve slotted themselves into fifth place.

Ruddington Village went big after they won 6-2 at home to Dunkirk, whilst there were also successes for Aslockton & Orston, and Woodthorpe Park Rangers, the game between Wollaton and Beeston finishing in a 2-2 draw.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Basfordutdfc a hard working win at Matlock for Basford.