Quarter-finalists back in in the early 2000s, Worksop Town have, thus far, made the third round of this season’s FA Trophy competition following their come-from-behind win away to Chorley on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier this month the Tigers saw midfielder Sam Wedgbury come out of retirement, despite only hanging up the boots in the summer, to re-join the Tigers, whilst Gambian winger, Mo Fadera has also joined the club, on-loan from York City.

Both players started the game against Chorley as Craig Parry’s side twice came from behind to seal passage into the next round, with a winner from Chae Whitman-Brown, in the closing stages.

The hosts took the lead after half-an-hour when Milan Lalkovic drilled a 35yd effort into Tommy Taylor’s top right corner; it was a lead that lasted but a minute however, the visitors quickly restoring parity after Aleks Starcenko’s low cross was turned into his own net by defender, Harvey Smith.

Level at the break, the hosts would again gain the upper-hand early in the second half when, in the 55th minute, Tigers defender, Deegan Atherton, was adjudged to have bundled over Tom Carr and the referee awarded a spot-kick.

Carr stepped up to take the resultant penalty which crashed back into play off the upright, Lakovic on-hand to turn home the rebound, firing the ball into the roof of Taylor’s net.

The Tigers would have to wait fifteen minutes before levelling the tie again, Aaron martin winning a corner from which Luke Waterfall’s initial, headed attempt, came back off the post, before putting the rebound past Matt Urwin in the home goal.

The hosts’ captain and shot-stopper would find himself beaten for a third time late on when, with minutes remaining, Parry’s battling Tigers took the lead for the first time; having made a double-change shortly before Waterfall’s leveller, it soon paid dividends.

Lewis Witham and Chae Whitman-Brown replaced Wedgbury and Fadera with a little over twenty to go and, as the game ticked into its nervy, closing minutes, and with the hosts having just missed a great chance themselves at the other end when Walker’s effort curled wide of goal, Vaughan Redford released Witham following a great move, and his cross was slid past Urwin, and into the back of the net, for the winner.

Tigers fans now wait with baited breath as to who their opponents will be in the Third Round of this season’s FA Trophy, whilst preparing for a home game against Curzon Ashton, in the National League North, this coming Saturday afternoon.

WORKSOP TOWN – Tommy Taylor, Joe Leesley, Hamza Bencherif (capt), Vaughan Redford, Aleksandrs Starcenko, Aaron Martin, Mason O’Malley, Deegan Atherton, Sam Wedgbury (Lewis Witham, 69), Mo Fadera (Chae Whitman-Brown, 69), Luke Waterfall

Both Carlton Town and Basford United won on the road in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, the former registering a 3-2 win at Mickleover as Ashley Chambers bagged a brace and Jason Law the winner, and the latter with a 1-0 win at Coleshill Town as Oliver Wilson netted in the final fifteen minutes.

There wasn’t much action further down the pyramid however, the incessant rain recently causing havoc with fixtures; the United Counties League only seeing six Notts-based clubs in action, and two were opposing each other.

In the Premier North Newark Town are second following a 2-2 draw at home to Heanor Town, Jack York and Matteo Perkins netting for the hosts, whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare missed the chance to make moves on the top four following their 2-1 loss at home to Melton Town, Sacha Markelic with their goal.

Meanwhile, Eastwood CFC’s climb up the table continued and they sit thirteenth, four points off eighth placed Deeping Rangers, as Louis Nicholson’s effort nine minutes from time gave them a 1-0 win at home to Belper United.

Of the two games played in Division One, leaders Retford have an 11-point lead at the top following their 4-0 win at Stapleford Town, goals coming from Aaron Sennett-Neilson, Iren Wilson, Jesse Omoregbee, and Scott Boden, whilst lowly Clipstone fell to a 2-1 defeat at South Normanton Athletic, who moved above Retford United into second place.

Henry Eastgate’s brace gave Blidworth Welfare a 2-0 win away to Holbrook St. Michael’s in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier South, whilst Worksop Town Reserves were thumped 5-0 at home to Brodsworth Main in the Premier North.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, Premier Division leaders Cotgrave progressed to the semi-finals of the NSL Senior Cup following a 6-2 thumping away to rivals Keyworth United.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @worksoptownfc Worksop celebrate Lewis Witham’s goal against Chorley.