Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves and Collingham, of the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, have joined NSL One side, AC United, and Central Midlands Alliance Premier South outfit, Selston, in the semi-finals of this seasons Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy competition.

Kimberley’s second string, who were away at holders Linby Colliery Welfare, battled away to a goalless draw over the regulation ninety minutes, before progressing with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory.

Meanwhile, fellow NSL Premier side, Collingham, joined then in the final four with a comfortable, 5-0 home win against visiting Blidworth Welfare, goals coming from Joshua Toynbee, Haydn Goddard, Alex Mackinder, and a brace from Harrison Gomm.

League-wise, there was defeats for Worksop Town (National League North), Basford United (Northern Premier League), and Sherwood Colliery (United Counties League); the Tigers were beaten 2-1 at home to visiting Oxford City, Aleksandrs Starcenko netting a late consolation, whilst Connor Dimaio’s late first half leveller was insufficient as Basford were beaten 3-1 away to Mickleover, ending the Ambers’ long, unbeaten run.

As for the top of the United Counties Premier North, leaders Sherwood Colliery suffered a rare defeat when home to playoff chasing Eastwood CFC, the visitors collecting a 3-2 win; Alexander Duhameau and Kieran Knight netted for the leaders, but were undone by goals from Joel Stevens, Terry Hawkridge, and Tyler Blake, he netting the winner in the last minute.

Lowly Newark & Sherwood United helped their battle against relegation with a 2-0 home win over Heanor Town, who are now two points above them in the table, Luke White and Gregory Smith with the goals, whilst there was defeat for Kimberley Miners Welfare, 2-0 at home to Skegness Town, and Newark Town, 4-2 away to Belper United.

There were also defeats for both Retford sides (UCL Division One), whilst Cotgrave were held to a late draw (NSL Premier); Stapleford Town moved into second place un UCL One with a 3-2 home win over Retford United, with Retford losing 1-0 against visiting Coalville Town – the two Retford sides however do have three games in hand heading into the business end of the season.

Harry Goddard netted the only goal of the game as Sandiacre Town won 1-0 at Pinchbeck United, whilst goals from Craig Westcarr, Oakley Kennedy, and Matthew Crawford gave Dunkirk the points with a 3-0 win over visiting Sleaford Town.

At the bottom end of UCL One Shirebrook Town won 2-1 at Holwell Sports, and West Bridgford eased past visiting Rainworth Miners Welfare; Clipstone won 2-1 away to Swallownest thanks to goals from Robert Scope and Jack Thatcher. and Radford were held to a 1-1 draw with visiting South Normanton Athletic, Nashiem Isman netting for the hosts.

It was a bad day at the office for local sides in action in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North, Worksop Town Reserves losing 4-1 away to Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves, and there was to be a pair of 6-2 home losses for Ollerton Town and RHP Sports, against Kinsely Boys and Elite AFC respectively.

As for the one game played in the NSL Premier, runaway leaders Cotgrave were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Dunkirk, Felix Hogg and Ryan Smith looking like they’d given the divisions top side all three points, with Harrison Machin netting for the visitors.

However, in stoppage time, as the game was about to conclude, Oscar Osawe snatched an equaliser, with Cotgrave now sixteen clear, with games in hand, heading into the home straight.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @JimBethel Kimberley MW Reserves celebrate their cup shootout win at Linby.