Although Anstey Nomads have games in hand on those around them in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, leaders Carlton Town, and fourth place Basford United, continue to set a high tempo.

In fact, you have to go back to early November to find a marker in the loss column for the two Nottinghamshire outfits, the Millers currently on an eleven-game unbeaten run (last versus Coleshill Town, nine wins and two draws) and the Ambers a twelve-game unbeaten streak (last against Coventry Sphinx, five wins and seven draws).

Both picked up comfortable, home wins on Saturday afternoon, with Basford ending a four-game spell of draws courtesy of Jordan Hallam’s second half hat-trick against fellow promotion hopefuls, Racing Club Warwick.

The visitors claimed a first half interval lead in this one, James Hancocks netting on the half hour, before a couple of changes at the break, swung the contest in the hosts’ favour, Hallam being one of those introduced for the second half.

His first came within twelve minutes of the restart, levelling from the penalty spot, before affording the Ambers the lead with minutes remaining, latching on to a clearance and firing home.

His hat-trick was completed in stoppage time when getting on the end of a cross from Nyle Blake and slotting home in the 92nd minute, after the former had drawn the ‘keeper away from goal.

Victory for Basford sees them entrenched in a tight battle for second place, they being one of ten side separated by eight points, from Belper Town (47pts) in second, down to Mickleover FC in eleventh (39pts).

Meanwhile, at the top of the pile, runaway leaders Carlton Town; the Millers racked up another win on Saturday, this time 4-0 at home to fourth bottom Boldmere St. Michaels.

All four games came in the second half, the deadlock finally being broken by Lamin Manneh six minutes after the restart.

The visitors put through their own net with twenty minutes to go, and that opened the floodgates as Ashely Chambers added a third, and Niall Hylton a late fourth, to complete the rout.

It was a win which sees the leaders boast an impressive, seventeen-point lead, at the summit, they having lost just three of their twenty-seven games thus far.

Above them, in the National League North, Worskop Town slipped to a 4-2 home defeat against Macclesfield Town, Lewis Whitham and Jordan Burrow’s goals early in each half not quite enough.

The Silkmen, they took all three points thanks to braces from Luke Duffy, and D’Mani Mellor, the hosting Tigers’ see-saw season continuing.

It was a very busy afternoon in the United Counties League as Sherwood Colliery and Newark Town kept up the pressure atop of the Premier North, both sides registering comfortable home wins.

Second place Sherwood won 3-0 at home to Melton Town, Alexander Duhameau’s second half brace coming after Kieran Knight had opened the scoring, whilst third place Newark won 4-1 against visiting Skegness Town, Louis Czerwak also at the double.

Both sides are withing touching distance of leaders Boston Town, Sherwood two points behind, with three games in hand; Eastwood CFC and Kimberley Miners Welfare are the next two best sides, although both lost 1-0 on the road, the former at Wisbech Town, and the latter at Harrowby United.

Hucknall Town and hosts AFC Mansfield shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw, and Newark & Sherwood United were held to a goalless draw when at Gresley Rovers; Division One leaders, Retford United, were also held to a goalless draw, they hosted Holwell Sports.

Retford meanwhile are points behind, with three games in hand, winning 2-1 at home Sleaford Town courtesy of Iren Wilson’s second half winner, whilst finishing with ten men.

Max Taylor struck twice as Stapleford Town continued their playoff push with a 2-1 win at Southwell City, whilst there were also successes for Rainworth Miners Welfare, Clifton All Whites, and Sandiacre Town, Gelding Miners Welfare were edged in a seven-goal thriller away to FCV Grace Dieu.

Blidworth Welfare were the only side tasting success in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier, Henry Eastgate netting the only goal of the game away to Borrowash Victoria, whilst there were defeats for Linby Colliery Welfare, Mansfield Hosiery Mills, and RHP Sports & Social.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, and with leaders Cotgrave inactive, Aslockton closed the gap to a dozen points with an entertaining, 7-3 win at Collingham, on Friday night, Olver Stevenson’s hat-trick helping them on their way.

Awsworth Villa are fourth after a 3-1 win at third place Bingham Town, fifth place Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves won 2-0 at FC Cavaliers, and sixth place Keyworth United were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Arnold Town, as eight points separate second to seventh.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @CTFC04 celebrations after another impressive performance from Carlton Town.