Carlton Challenge Still On Track

Carlton Town’s title challenge remains on track, just, after Saturday’s 4-0 win away to Lichfield City, whilst county rivals Basford maintained their playoff push with a 2-1 home win over Wellingborough Town, as the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands heads into its closing weeks of the season.

Having lost their last three games, a return to winning ways was much-needed for the visiting Millers, against a side who still harbour outside hopes of gate-crashing the playoffs themselves, however, two goals in each half kept the leaders in the driving seat.

Toby Moore and Lewis Durow had the visitors two to the good at the break, before further goals, in the last half hour, from Ashley Chambers’ nineteenth of the season, and Jason Law in the sixth minute of stoppage time, sealed the points.

With title rivals Anstey nomads winning 3-0 away to Rugby Town, the gap between the top two in the division, is just two points, with four games left to play as the Nomads host Racing Club Warwick, and the Millers, a local derby with Basford United, on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Ambers, they’re sitting third in the table, with just eight points separating them, and eighth place RC Warwick – Monday’s games can prove pivotal for all!

Hosting Wellingborough Town on Saturday though, the Ambers nicked the points following goals in each half from Ollie Wilson and Ethan Stewart, and kept themselves two ahead of fourth place Coleshill Town (lost 2-1 at St Neots Town), and more importantly, five ahead of Belper Town in fifth (lost 2-0 at Boldmere St Michaels).

Above Carlton and Basford, in the National League North, Worksop Town claimed a hard-fought point when away to Alfreton Town on Thursday night, Aaron Martin netting for the Tigers four minutes before the break whilst the hosts equalised from a corner via Kieron Wilson.

Sherwood Colliery and Boston Town are neck-and-neck in the United Counties Premier North, the former ahead on goal difference following Saturday’s wins; Colliery saw off play-off hopefuls Grantham Tonw 2-1, goals coming very late on from Charlie Clements (86) and Jamie York (96), whilst Town won 3-1 at Newark Town, the hosts netting a consolation via Oscar Marshall at the death.

Eastwood CFC and AFC Mansfield can still make the play-offs, just, and both registered away wins on Saturday; the former won 4-1 at Deeping Rangers thanks to goals from Romello Nangle, Archie White, Harry Wood, and Kieran Hayes, with the latter winning 3-1 at Wisbech Town courtesy of Rhys Dolan’s brace, and Ryan Ingram’s opener.

Both Hucknall Town (home to Skegness Town) and Kimberley Miners Welfare (away to Ashby Ivanhoes) were held to 1-1 draws, and Newark & Sherwood United were edged in an eight-goal thriller at Melton Town, Luke White’s brace in vain for the visitors as Jack Butterfill fired a four-goal salvo in his sides 5-3 win.

Retford can claim the UCL Division One title with a win or a draw away to rivals, and second place, Retford United, on Bank Holiday Monday; both won on Saturday to take the title race into the derby as the Choughs won 4-1 at home to Gedling Miners Welfare, Diego Degirolamo netting twice, and the Badgers edged hosting Dunkirk 2-0 thanks to goals from Ross Duggan and Brandon Kane.

Sandiacre Town were the only other Notts side to register a win in the division, 1-0 at Pinxton courtesy of Wayde Hines as West Bridgford (2-2 home to South Normanton Athletic), Radford (goalless at Swallownest), and on Thursday night, 1-1 between Southwell City and Clipstone, with Stapleford Town dropping points in a 5-2 loss at Holwell Sports.

In the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North, Worksop Town Reserves and Teversal shared the spoils following a 2-2 draw, whilst SJR Worksop had the same when hosting Burngreave United, Ollerton Town and RHP Sports suffering defeats on the road, 3-1 at Harworth Colliery and 5-1 at Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves respectively.

As for the South, Selston kept within touching distance of leaders Graham Street Prims following their 1-0 home win over Mickleover RBL, whilst Blidworth Welfare were held to a 1-1 draw against visiting Gresley Rovers Reserves.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier division, runaway leaders Cotgrave are within touching distance of lifting the title following their twenty-third league win, 2-1 at mid-table Beeston, whilst Bingham Town moved joint-second with Awsworth Villa after a 3-0 home win over Notts Olympic.

Southwell City Reserves top-scored following their 8-0 home win over FC Cavaliers, and Callum Wolloch fired five of Keyworth United’s goals as they won 6-2 at home to Collingham; Aslockton & Orston defeated visiting Ruddington Village 5-0 as Sam Brakewell and Jack Robb bagged braces, whilst there were also 2-1 wins for Kimberley MW Reserves (home to Arnold Town) and Woodthorpe Park Rangers (away to Wollaton).