The games, they’re coming thick and fast in the early stages of the non-league season, this midweek seeing the opening, Preliminary Round, of the United Counties League’s Knock-Out Cup competition taking place.

Of the eight, Notts-based clubs in action, five progressed to the next round, Eastwood top-scoring following their 4-0 win in a game which saw the Red Badgers hand out several debuts.

Sam O’Rioye made his home debut between the sticks, keeping a clean sheet, Steven Johnson and Jordan Hallam were also afforded debuts, whilst late on, sixteen-year-old Ce’an Wynne came off the bench for his also.

The hosts led inside ten minutes when Luke Rawson pounced on a mistake from the visiting shot-stopper to score, he having another chance midway through the half; the lead was doubled just after the half hour mark, Jamie Walker netting from the spot.

Leading by two goals at the break, a cagier second half finally opened up in the closing stages when substitute Revarnelle James added the third, and Callum Chettle wrapped up the win at the death; youngster Wright coming on for Ryan Wilson between the thid and fourth goals.

Clifton All Whites progressed following a 3-1 win away to Gedling Miners Welfare, all four goals arriving in the second half; Rubben Wiggins-Thomas and Riece Betram gave the visitors a two-goal lead with a quick-fire pair of goals early in the second half, Corey Durose with a third as the game headed towards the final twenty.

With a little over fifteen remaining, Liam Corrigan pulled one back for the hosts, but it was all they could muster; elsewhere there were home wins for AFC Mansfield, Sherwood Colliery, and Kimberley Miners Welfare, the trio doing so without conceding.

Mansfield saw off visiting Dronfield Town 2-0, Max Taylor and William Heather netting in the second half, whilst a brace from Ronnie Kokkinos saw Sherwood win by the same score when home to Shirebrook Town.

Joe Godfrey netted the only goal of the game, just after the hour mark, doing so against visiting Gresley Rovers; the remaining tie saw Cotgrave fall to a 4-2 defeat when home to Heanor Town, Franco Paz and an own-goal for the hosts, Sacha Markelic with a double for the victors.

One game was played in the UCL Division One, West Bridgford Colts being held to a 1-1 draw away to Pinchbeck United, Alan Magiera netting for the Colts just after the half hour mark.

There were several games also played in the Nottinghamshire Football League, highlighted by a seven-goal thriller between Stapleford Town Reserves and Awsworth Villa, the hosts winning 4-3 thanks to a brace from Jahred Russell.

Harvey Lack and Joshua Goldar also netted for Stapleford’s second string, whilst Joshua Broad, Billy Peacock, and Thomas Scott, replied for the visitors, whilst Rainworth Miners Welfare won 3-0 at Southwell City, goals coming via Jospeh Bilton, Garvie Cameron, and Tyrell Gordon.

Notts Olympic drew 1-1 with visiting Wollaton, Ivan Rutsinda and Jacob Taylor netting for their respective sides, whilst on Wednesday night, AC United won 3-1 at Arnold Town, Courtney Brown’s double helping the visitors to the points alongside one from Juan Ghali, Gerrard Hallam with the reply.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @EastwoodTownFC Luke Rawson celebrates his opening goal for Eastwood.