After five games without a win, National League North outfit, Worksop Town, picked up three valuable points on Saturday afternoon when home to top ten side, AFC Telford United.

The hosts, who’d drawn three and lost two of their outings since the win at Chester at the turn of the year, made a blistering start at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium, opening the scoring after just fifty-five seconds.

Lewis Whitham was quick to swing in a cross which met an unmarked Aaron Martin, and he headed home the opener, much to the delight of the home fans; but they had to wait a while for any more goals to come…

Telford did find the back of the net midway through the first half, but Remi Walker’s effort was deemed to be offside.

The visitors equalised in the opening throes of the second half, Matty Stenson restoring parity, before Tigers debutant, Oli Greaves, became the match-winner with a late brace.

The Tigers’ new number ten, recently signed from fellow NLN side, Buxton, made it a debut to remember when first racing on to a headed through-ball from Martin and chipping the visiting ‘keeper, Josh Gracey, with a little under twenty remaining.

Then, deep into stoppage time, he capitalised on a defensive mix-up before putting the ball into an empty net for his second, and the Tigers’ third.

Northern Premier League Division One Midlands leaders, Carlton Town, returned to winning ways following the previous weeks’ loss at home to Wellingborough Town, by seeing off another promotion hopeful, fourth place Belper Town.

The visitors even took a first half lead when Diego De Girolamo netted inside the opening quarter of the contest, the leaders getting back on level terms a little over ten minutes after the restart, Niall Hylton levelling.

Lamin Manneh then added another two goals to this seasons’ tally with a late brace, in the seventy-seventh and eighty-ninth minutes, to maintain his sides’ fifteen-point advantage at the top.

Basford United meanwhile moved into second place with a 2-0 win over lowly Bourne Town, and in doing so stretched their unbeaten run to fourteen matches (seven wins, seven draws), both goals coming late on.

Goalless at the break, the Ambers opened the scoring through Nyle Blake with eighteen remaining, before Covarne Leon double the advantage in the eightieth minute; Jordy Hallam missing a penalty as well.

In the United Counties League Premier North, Sherwood Colliery suddenly have a seven=-point advantage at the top, and with games in hand on those beneath them, following their 3-1 win away to Wisbech Town.

Jamie York and the recently-returned, Ethan Wiesztort, netted in the first half, before William Norcross wrapped up the points early in the second to keep the title charge going.

Eastwood CFC were the only other side, due to the weather, from Notts in action in the Premier North, a quick-fire double in the second half from Tyler Blaker and Joel Stevens keeping them on the fringes of the playoffs.

Retford have a five-point advantage, and games in hand, at the top of UCL Division One, after they collected a routine, 5-0 home win over West Bridgford, Jack KcKay firing a hat-trick for the hosts, whilst Stapleford Town, in the hunt for second with Retford United, won 3-1 at home to Swallownest.

Clifton All Whites picked up a 2-1 win away to Sleaford Town, whilst there was defeat on the road for Sandiacre Town (1-0 at Staveley Miners Welfare), and Shirebrook Town (2-0 at Coalville Town).

Selston, having been reinstated in the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy after Teversal’s ejection, reached the semi-finals with a 2-1 win away to Keyworth United, Elliott Bland and Jack Cockram netting in stoppage time at the end of each half.

Joining them in the final four is Nottinghamshire Senior League Division One high-fliers, AC United, who saw off visiting Arnold Town, 2-1 – goals coming from Sheikh Sanyang and Arnyda Wenazo, Jake Ogden replying

The other two quarter-finals, between Linby Colliery Welfare and Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves, and Blidworth Welfare and Collingham, were postponed.

Meanwhile, NSL Premier Division leaders, Cotgrave, continued their relentless march towards the league title with an 8-2 humbling of visitors Bingham Town, who sit third – the win sees the advantage at fifteen points, and with games in hand, whilst stretching their unbeaten season to nineteen in the league.

The remaining game saw Awsworth Villa move fourth with a 5-2 home win over mid-table Beeston, they also having games in hand on the two sides directly above them in the table.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @worksoptownfc two goal hero Oliver Greaves celebrates for Worksop Town.