United Counties League Division One high-fliers, Stapleford Town, maintained their push for a playoff spot with an entertaining, come-from-behind victory, at home to lowly Sleaford Town on Saturday afternoon.

In pushing the two Retford sides at the top of the division, Stapleford are now unbeaten in their last twelve in the league, scoring at least three times in each of their last five for added measure.

Sleaford though, sitting fifth bottom and with a threat of relegation hanging over them, twice led through a goal in each half by Benjamin Zalewski, but a strong, second half performance from the hosts saw them take all three points.

David Olatomide netted his first of the afternoon when rifling one into the top corner just after the hour, levelling the game for the first time, before Riley Phillips’ deflected effort with ten remaining tied the games at twos-apiece.

The Saxons quickly added a third just minutes later when Olatomide headed home what proved the winning goal with eight left on the clock, and a result which keeps them in the top three heading into the home stretch.

STAPLEFORD TWON – Danny Brown, Oskar Kirk, Alans Voskresenskis, Jack Upton (capt), Kieran Walker, Oliver Ball, David Olatomide, Jack Messom, Max Taylor, George Harrison, Josh Sandell (subs – Cian Lyon, Michael Robb, Aaron Lamb, Riley Phillips, James Hales).

As for the two Retford side, the leading Choughs maintained their ten-point advantage with a 3-0 win at Clipstone, goals coming from Iren Wilson, Rory Coleman, and Liam Bennett, whilst the Badgers registered a 4-0 win when home to Radford, Lewis Chambers’ brace being added to via a David Kolodynski debut goal, and one from Matthew Tootle.

Sherwood Colliery continue to lead the way in the UCL Premier North after they edged visiting Newark Town 2-1, Kieran Knight bagging a first half brace, Harvey Grice netting in-between.

Whilst higher up the pyramid it was defeat for Worksop Town, 3-1 at Curzon Ashton in the National League North, and for Northern Premier League Division One Midlands leaders Carlton Town, 2-1 at home to Bedworth United.

Basford United meanwhile claimed a 3-1 home win over Boldmere St. Michaels, with Nathaniel Peters, Nyle Blake, and Harrison Hazard all netting, the latter doing so on debut following his month-long loan from Notts County.

AFC Mansfield continue to rise up the UCL Premier North table after they romped to a 5-0 win away to Harrowby United, Ryan Ingram with a hat-trick, whilst Newark & Sherwood United lost 1-0 at Boston Town.

Goals from Kole Lambert, Romello Nangle, and Kian Sketchley saw Kimberley Minders Welfare into the semi-finals of the UCL Cup, winning 3-2 at home to Clay Cross Town, whilst

fellow Notts-based side, Eastwood CFC, narrowly exited the competition, losing 1-0 at Coalville Town.

In UCL Division One there were also home wins for Clifton All Whites (2-1 over Southwell City) and Shirebrook Town (1-0 against Gedling Miners Welfare), with Sandiacre Town and Rainworth Miners Welfare losing on the road.

Teversal, Ollerton Town, and RHP Sports picked up wins in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North, the former easing to a 5-1 success at AFC Phoenix, Tyron Macaskill and Joshua Parfitt bagging double; Ryan Attwood also netted twice as RHP Sports saw off Worksop Town Reserves, and a Keegan Burton penalty was enough for Ollerton at Glapwell.

Selston meanwhile are six points behind leaders Graham Street Prims, with a game in hand, following their 2-1 win at home to Bakewell Town, Alex Hardman and Jack Cockram netting, whilst Blidworth Welfare suffered a second half collapse to lose 7-2 away to Derby Singh Brothers.

As for the Notts Senior League Premier Division, Cotgrave’s season stands at unbeaten in all twenty-one matches, nineteen points clear, eleven to play, following their 8-0 thrashing of hosts FC Cavaliers on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Awsworth Villa, Aslockton & Orston, and Bingham Town, are sitting joint second, the former winning 5-1 at Collingham to leapfrog ahead on goal-difference; Kimbereley Reserves are into fourth, also on goal-difference, following their 1-0 win at Notts Olympic, and there were also road wins for bot Arnold Town and Wollaton, the former 3-1 at Ruddington Village, and the latter 3-2 at Southwell Reserves.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @SM32photography action between Sleaford and Stapleford Town.