Tigers Take The Points In Fylde

Craig Parry’s Worksop Town side have had a mixed start to their return to the National League, Saturday’s victory at AFC Fylde marking their fourth success so far this season in the North Division.

Away to a high-flying Fylde side, the visiting Tigers battled away to register a sixth game collecting points (four wins and two draws from eleven outings), seeing off a hosting side who were unbeaten in their previous five.

Luca Thomas had afforded the hosts an interval lead, with Liam Hughes heading home the equaliser on the hour; that joy though was short-lived as Ryan Colclough made an instant impact from bench, restoring his sides one-goal advantage minutes after coming on.

Another quick-fire turnaround was witnessed less than five minutes later, the Tigers again equalising, this time Aaron Martin heading into an empty net after the home shot-stopper couldn’t respond quick enough for the rebound.

Then, with less than ten minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead for the first time in the game, capitalising from the penalty spot after Regan Hutchinson had been fouled in the box; Hughes stepped up to score his second, and the Tigers’ third of the game.

The win now sees Parry’s charges six points off Chorley, in fifth place, and twelve off joint-leaders South Shields and Scarborough.

Both Notts clubs competing in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands were held to home draws, Basford United drawing 2-2 with visiting Rugby Town, and Carlton Town goalless against Wellingborough Town.

Amongst a mass of action in the United Counties League, Newark & Sherwood United, bottom of Premier Division North, progressed in the cup following a 3-1 home win against visiting Atherstone Town, goals coming via Jack Wightwick, Finlay Armond, and Javanne Smith.

In the league though, it’s tight at the top of the Premier North, the top three of Boston Town, Sherwood Colliery, and Kimberley Miners Welfare separated by goal-difference, with Newark Town in fourth, three points adrift.

Boston, with a game in hand, were on County Cup duty, and Sherwood were inactive, Kimberley taking advantage to move level following a 3-0 win away to Deeping Rangers, goals coming in the second half via Sacha Markelic, Kole Lambert, and Nathaniel Peters.

Newark meanwhile missed out on the chance to join in the dance at the head of the table when they fell to crushing, 4-1 loss at home to Belper United, all the goals coming in the first half, Ryan Rushen with the consolation.

Like Boston, fifth place Grantham Town also have games in hand and can join that mix at the top, whilst Hucknall Town are sixth following their 2-0 win at home to AFC Mansfield, Taylor Jaine and Aaron Coyle netting in the closing stages.

Eastwood CFC were the only other Noots-based club in action in the Premier North, their climb up the table continuing after a 4-2 home win against Clay Cross Town, Thomas Hodgkinson and Tyler Blake both bagging braces.

Retford now boast a ten-point advantage atop of Division One following their 1-0 win over visiting Sandiacre Town courtesy of Iren Wilson’s goal, and neighbours Retford United, with two in hand, fell to a 1-0 loss against FCV Grace Dieu, Joe Lindley with the only goal of the game.

Stapleford Town currently find themselves in the play-off mix after they won 3-2 at home to West Bridgford, Shirebrook Town won by the same against visiting Dunkirk, and Clipstone, thanks to Jack Thatcher’s late brace, won 4-1 at Clifton All Whites.

There were mixed fortunes in the Cemtral Midlands Alliance, Selston and Linby Colliery Welfare the only local sides to register league wins, the former winning 3-1 at home to Holbrook Sports, Jack Cockram at the double, and the latter 2-1 against visiting Gresley Rovers Reserves.

Meanwhile Blidworth Welfare progressed in the County Cup, winning 3-0 at home to Gedling Southbank; as for the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, Cotgrave have themselves a little, six-point cushion, at the top of the table.

Saturday’s 5-0 win away to Bingham Town sees them enjoying a little daylight with the chasing pack, second place Kimberley MW Reserves having won 1-0 at Keyworth United on Friday night.

Awsworth Villa are in third place after they edged visiting Woodthorpe Park Rangers 2-1, and fourth place Collingham won by the same score against visitors Ruddington Village; there was also a 4-2 win for Wollaton away to West Bridgford Reserves, and 2-2 draws in the games between Arnold Town and Southwell City Reserves, and Dunkirk and Aslockton & Orston.