Continued action was witnessed in the United Counties League Knock-Out Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday afternoon, with only Clipstone, Stapleford Town, and West Bridgford Colts progressing from the eight sides competing.

Clipstone’s Cobras eventually eased to a 4-1 win at home to Hinckley, the visitors having opened the scoring inside fifteen minutes, before Brandon Shaw equalised ten minutes later.

The final fifteen of the first half though belonged to top scorer, Drew Alwood, whose brace for the undefeated Division One leaders, took his tally to ten in seven outings, with Oscar Pearce wrapping up victory late in the second half.

Stapleford progressed to the next following a 4-2 win away to Sleaford Town as William Gillies, Joshua Sandell, David Kolodynski, and an own-goal, saw the Saxons through, whilst West Bridgford Colts progressed, just edging hosts Highgate United, courtesy of another own-goal, and one apiece for Josian Puleston and Elliot King.

Exiting the competition was Southwell City, on penalties at home to Lutterworth Athletic, following a 1-1 draw, Hucknall Town 3-1 at Godmanchester Rovers, Sandiacre Town 4-1 at Desborough Town, Radford 4-0 at Daventry Town, and Newark Town 6-2 at St Neots Town, on what was a bad day on the road for most Notts clubs.

In the National League North, Worksop Town fell to a 3-1 reverse away to Spalding United, Vaughan Redford’s goal just after the hour mark mere consolation to the hosts’ Bart Cybulski, who bagged a hat-trick.

Basford United and Carlton Town meanwhile both exited the FA Trophy, the former on penalties following a goalless draw with Bedworth United, and the latter, 3-2 against visiting Shepshed Dynamo, Abdul Bakare and Niall Davie affording a late, glimmer of hope for the Millers.

There wasn’t much joy for the two Retford sides in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, the Badgers earning a point following a 1-1 draw at Penistone Church, and the Choughs on the end of a 4-0 drubbing at Bottesford Town, for whom Owen Vincent bagged a second half hat-trick.

Back in the UCL, and the Premier North, Eastwood’s goal-glut continued as Patrick Webb smashed four, second half goals, in a 6-0 home win over visiting Gresley Rovers, Tyler Blake and Ryan Wilson also scoring, whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare and AFC Mansfield both suffered losses, to Sheffield (3-1) and Leicester Nirvana (2-0) respectively.

UCL Division One action meanwhile saw Clifton All Whites score seven in a 7-1 thrashing of visiting Pinchbeck Untied, and Gedling Miners Welfare concede seven in a 7-0 drubbing to hosts South Normanton Athletic.

Rubben Wiggins-Thomas, Cameron Maltby, and Joel Stevens all bagged braces for the All Whites in their win, Finnley Commons also netting, whilst Billy Whitehead’s treble and Alex Searle’s brace helped Athletic to a big win.

Other results saw Selston win 2-1 away to Cotgrave, Ryan Smith’s opener for the hosts cancelled out by a late brace from Leighton Bowering, which included a ninetieth-minute winner, and Shirebrook Town were beaten 2-1 at home to Staveley Miners Welfare, Lewis Foster for the hosts.

The two local sides in action in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier North saw defeat, RHP Sports losing 3-1 at home to Dinnington Town, and Worksop Town Reserves soundly beaten 4-1 away to Staveley MW Reserves.

As for the Nottinghamshire Football League Premier Division, goals aplenty this past weekend, with over forty being netted in eight games, as Beeston, Meden Vale Colts, and Woodthorpe Park Rangers, all hit five at home.

Unbeaten leaders Beeston claimed a 5-1 win over visiting Arnold Town to maintain their hundred percent start to the start, whilst second place Woodthorpe won by the same when home to Newark & Sherwood United.

As third place Awsworth Villa were being held to a 3-3 draw with visiting Ruddington Village, fourth place Meden Vale continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 5-3 win over Keyworth United.

Collingham and AC United both scored four in victories over Wollaton (4-0) and Southwell City Reserves, respectively, and West Bridgford Colts Reserves picked up a 4-0 win at Kimberley MW Reserves, under those Friday Night Lights, whilst Bingham Town won 1-0 at Notts Olympic in the remaining game.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @ClipstoneFC1 Drew Allwood celebrates scoring for Clipstone.