Three of the regions non-league outfits have reached the Third Round Proper of this season’s Isuzu FA Vase competition, with hopes of going deeper very much alive amongst supporters.

Radford, Retford United, and Sherwood Colliery are the three that have progressed, with Kimberley Miners Welfare, Eastwood CFC, and Sandiacre Town all been knocked out over the weekend.

The Pheasants, who reached the Fifth Round back in 2007, progressed thanks to an entertaining, 6-3 win away to Whitchurch Alport, of the Midlands League Premier Division.

Sitting seventeenth in the United Counties League Division One, David Boafo’s charges are the lowest ranked side from the area left in the competition, and went in at the break 4-1 to the good.

Abdul Bakare opened the scoring after five minutes, going on to complete a first half hat-trick just over thirty minutes later, alongside Logan Dimmock-Fox’s effort doubling the visitors advantage eleven minutes in.

That opening quarter of the contest not only saw three goals for the Pheasants, but also a double-save from their shot-stopper, Edward Cooper; the first was from a penalty by Freddie Bishton, with Cooper also reacting well to repel the rebound.

Billy West headed hope for the hosts as the game headed towards the interval, but the mountain in which the Pheasants had created was just too much for the hosts to ascend, despite Tom Messham affording further hope with a second just before the hour.

Dimmock-Fox then completed his hat-trick with a second half double to put the visiting side out of sight, although Ollie Holden did add another with eleven remaining; stoppage time would again see Cooper, in the Pheasants goal, called into action, this time saving a spot-kick from Ollie Holden, the Pheasants claiming a great, 6-3 win to progress.

Joining them in the hat for the Third Round Proper are Retford United, also of UCL Division One, they progressing thanks to a 2-1 home win over Aylestone Park, Josh Devereux and Callum Orange netting in each half, whilst Sherwood Colliery, of the Premier North, edged visiting Dudley Town 1-0, Jamie York with a last-gasp winner.

Both Kimberley and Eastwood meanwhile were beaten 3-1 on the road, the former at Hanley Town, and the latter at Heather St. John’s. and Sandiacre narrowly lost 2-1 away to to Nuneaton Town on Sunday afternoon.

Across the leagues and Worksop Town were beaten 2-0 away to Oxford City in the National League North, whilst there were mixed fortunes in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, leaders Carlton Town being edged 1-0 at home to Coleshill Town, whilst mid-table Basford United won by the same when home to Lichfield City, Dwayne Wiley with a goal on his debut.

In the UCL Premier North, none of the regions sides tasted victory with AFC Mansfield drawing 2-2 at Melton Town, Hucknall Town 1-1 at Skegness Town, and Newark Town, who moved joint-top, goalless with visiting Wisbech Town; Newark & Sherwood United though lost by the odd-goal-in-seven when away to Ashby Ivanhoe, the two sides level at twos-apiece at the break.

UCL Division One saw leaders Retford extend their advantage to eight points following a 6-1 home thumping of Shirebrook Town, in a game which saw seven different scorers, whilst Stapleford Town moved up to second place thanks to a 3-0 home win over Rainworth Miners Welfare.

West Bridgford saw off visiting Gedling Miners Welfare 3-0, whilst Clifton All Whites were beaten 2-0 away to Swallownest.

Teversal tasted victory in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North, Joshua Parfitt’s hat-trick helping them to a 4-0 win at home to Rossington Main Reserves, Kurtis Bamford also netting.

Meanwhile there was defeats for Ollerton Town (5-0 at Dinnington Town), Selston (3-1 home to Derby Singh Brothers), and Mansfield Hosiery Mills (7-0 away to Cromford & Wirksworth).

As for action in the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, Cotgrave’s 3-2 home win over Collingham on Friday night saw their lead at the top move to ten points, Ryan Smith’s hat-trick proving decisive for the victors.

With Asworth Villa inactive in second place, Aslockton & Orston took the chance to move into third, replacing Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves who they beat 2-1 at home, whilst Wollaton sit sixth following their 3-1 home win over Keyworth United,

Beeston and Ruddington Village both won 2-0 at home, to Bingham Town and West Bridgford Reserves respectively, whilst Woodthorpe Park Rangers won 3-1 away to Notts Olympic, as sides look to break into the top five.

The remaining game, between Arnold Town and Dunkirk, resulted in a ten-goal thriller at Eagle Valley in what was a see-saw game that went (home score first) 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 (pen), 3-3, 4-3, 5-3, 5-4 (pen), 5-5 – Jake Ogden bagged a brace for the hosts alongside two apiece for Edirin Kedienhon and Conor Pauley for the visitors.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @RadfordFC64 Radford hat-trick heroes Logan Dimmock-Fox and Abdul Bakare.