STEP 5 & 6 ACTION
STEP 5 ROUND-UPS NORTH WEST COUNTIES
CITY OF LIVERPOOL went nap to top the Premier Division table on a day crammed with goals.
Karl Noon and Jamie McDonald netted two goals apiece in a 5-0 defeat of Irlam, after Ryan Mitchell had struck the opener.
Declan Fletcher’s hat-trick helped Congleton Town to a 6-2 win at home to AFC Darwen, for whom Mark McKay hit a brace, including one from the spot.
Northwich Victoria had their own hat-trick hero in Brian Matthews as they ran out 4-2 winners at Padiham, while Freddie Potter hit a goal in each half as Runcorn Linnets eased to a 4-0 victory at Abbey Hey.
The day’s other hat-trick hero was Barnton’s Chris Smith, but his treble was not enough to stop his side from losing 5-3 at home to new boys Charnock Richard, for whom Carl Grimshaw netted a goal in each half.
There were 1-0 wins for Bootle at Ashton Athletic and 1874 Northwich at Burscough, while Winsford United beat visitors Barnoldswick Town by the same margin.
West Didsbury & Chorlton and Runcorn Town also enjoyed home wins, while Dan Cope struck twice as Hanley Town beat Squires Gate 4-0. Neville Thompson and Theo Stair were also on target for the Potteries side.
DAVID LAWRENCE
NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST
GARFORTH TOWN won for the first time this season, a 6-0 thrashing of Clipstone.
Strikes from Callum Ward, Simon Poole, Lee Turner and an own goal put the hosts into a 4-0 lead at half-time, before Luke McCrum and Turner compounded a miserable day for the visitors, who also had Rob Paling taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.
A pair of early long-range goals from Joe Hughes put Thackley on their way to a 5-3 win over ten-man Harrogate Railway Athletic.
Railway hit back to equalise before Ryan Bassi was sent off for a professional foul. Although Harrogate kept pace for an hour and took the score to 3-3, Thackley took the points thanks to two goals in the last five minutes.
Handsworth Parramore scored three goals in the opening half an hour to set up a 4-2 victory at Parkgate, while two injury-time goals gave Albion Sports a thrilling 3-3 draw at Staveley Miners Welfare.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare eased past Barton Town 3-0, while Athersley Recreation and Pickering Town both won 1-0 against Penistone Church and Ponterfract Collieries respectively.
AFC Mansfield beat Bottesford Town 2-1 and Bridlington Town beat Hall Road Rangers by the same scoreline, with Worksop Town beating Maltby Main 1-0 and Rainworth Miners Welfare drawing 1-1 with Liversedge.
OLIVER LINES
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
HOLBEACH UNITED sit top of the table with maximum points from three games after a 3-0 home win over visitors Northampton ON Chenecks.
Lewis Leckie was their star, netting an 18th-minute penalty, scoring again two minutes later and setting up Will Bird for the 70th-minute clincher.
In second place, with two wins from two games, are Wellingborough Whitworth, who pulled off the shock result of the day by beating visiting title favourites Deeping Rangers 2-1 – Remi Brittain and Jordan Pendred on target.
Dominic Lawless hit a hat-trick and Jordan Brown and Tom Coles one each as Eynesbury Rovers beat visitors St Andrews 5-2.
Jack Baker hit an early double as Kirby Muxloe came from behind to beat visitors Wellingborough Town 4-1 – Aaron Black and Levi Fray grabbed the others.
A Phil Cassidy spot kick gave newboys Daventry Town a 2-1 home win over Rothwell Corinthians, whose Lewis O’Dell had cancelled out Robbie Parsons’ second-minute opener.
Marius Alexandru’s 63rd-minute goal gave Newport Town a 1-0 victory at Boston Town and Jason Turner scored the only goal of the game as Desborough Town beat Wisbech Town 1-0.
Player-manager Andy Hall grabbed a late winner for Northampton Sileby Rangers in a 3-2 win at Sleaford Town.
Harborough Town fought out a 1-1 draw at home to Peterborough Northern Star, while Leicester Nirvana’s game against visitors Yaxley ended 0-0.
ROBIN JONES
MIDLAND LEAGUE
WESTFIELDS started the new season in style with an impressive 6-1 victory over Premier Division newcomers South Normanton Athletic.
Goals from Ben Miller and Ben Hayes edged the Herefordshire side into a 2-0 interval lead before they cut loose in the second half.
Miller and Hayes struck again with Aiden Thomas also grabbing a quickfire double, while Kevin Hemagou replied for the visitors.
Bromsgrove Sporting were the day’s biggest winners on the road, easing to a 4-0 win at Quorn. Jason Cowley struck twice with Jordan Jones and Liam Spink also on target.
Two goals from Dave Reynolds helped Worcester City to a 3-0 win at home to Heanor Town, while Nick Turton hit a second-half double as AFC Wulfrunians won 2-0 at Rocester.
Coventry United also won on the road, triumphing 4-2 at Boldmere St Michaels, and Nick Macpherson’s goal six minutes from time gave Stourport Swifts a 2-1 win at Long Eaton United.
Rugby Town, relegated into the league, made a winning start, James Dance and Reuben Wiggins-Thomas’ goals earning a 2-1 win at Sporting Khalsa, Liam Hurst hit a hat-trick as Shepshed Dynamo saw off Shawbury United 4-1 and Coleshill Town won 3-0 at home to Loughborough University.
Haughmond and Coventry Sphinx drew 1-1, as did Highgate United and Lye Town. DAVID LAWRENCE
ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
FC ROMANIA were the day’s big winners, as they beat Burnham Ramblers 8–2.
Ramblers led twice, through Bill Howard and Charlee Hughes, but after Sergiu Pitaru’s leveller, to make it 1-1, Florin Pop grabbed a hat-trick and there were doubles from Cosmin Anton and Toby Cleaver.
James Peagram was another hat-trick hero, for Ilford in a 3–0 win at Enfield 1893, while Hullbridge Sports snatched a 3–2 win in a thriller at Sporting Bengal. Both teams had led and Jimmy Cox bagged the 70th-minute winner.
Jack Renew was Basildon’s hero, his last-minute goal giving them a 2–1 win at home to Wadham Lodge.
Barkingside went down to a 1–0 home defeat against Stansted, for whom Michael Ogboin scored in the second half.
West Essex enjoyed their short trip to Wadham Lodge as they beat Waltham Forest 2–0, with goals from Michael Mignon and James Bromley.
Gavin Cockman and Lewis Francis bagged doubles in Sawbridgeworth Town’s 4–1 win at home to Hackney Wick. Michael Idemudia netted in reply.
Jason Todd and Mitchell Das scored first-half goals as Takeley saw off Redbridge 2–0.
Great Wakering Rovers and Southend Manor drew 1–1 at Burroughs Park, and it was goalless between Clapton and Woodford Town 2017.
DAVID BALLHEIMER
EASTERN COUNTIES
GORLESTON are up to second and made it three wins from three games with a crushing 5-1 home victory over Saffron Walden Town, in which Connor Deeks and Connor Ingram both netted.
Histon remain in fourth despite an impressive 4-2 away success against Ipswich Wanderers and Newmarket Town are up to fifth after a 3-1 win at Hadleigh United, where Lloyd Groves, Steve Holder and Charlie Bowen were all on target.
Simon Unwin struck a hat-trick as Godmanchester Rovers recorded their first league win of the new season in fine style with a 4-1 home victory against Great Yarmouth Town.
A Sam Reed goal was enough to hand Ely City a home win over FC Clacton and Long Melford suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Thetford Town.
Ross Gilfedder grabbed a brace for newcomers Wroxham as they secured a stunning 4-0 victory at Wivenhoe Town and Kirkley & Pakefield lost 4-1 at home to Haverhill Rovers.
Last season’s runners-up Felixstowe & Walton United won their first game of the new campaign, a 4-3 home win against Stowmarket Town.
And on Friday, newly-promoted league leaders Coggeshall Town’s dream start to the season continued with a 3-0 win at Brantham Athletic.
RORY HAYWARD
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS
BERKHAMSTED entertained last season’s third-place finishers Cockfosters and will be delighted with their 3-1 win.
Stacy Field opened the scoring in the 35th minute before John Munday’s header doubled the Comrades’ lead. Callum Lee pulled one back but Max Farrelly rounded off the scoring for Berkhamsted.
Promoted Harpenden Town started life back in the top division with a fantastic victory as they defeated Hadley 6-2, while fellow newcomers Biggleswade fared just as well as they won 3-1 at Wembley, Nathan George scoring twice from the spot and George Bailey grabbing the other.
Last season’s champions London Colney won 2-1 at home to Leverstock Green.
Kit Brown scored an early opener for Colney but Sam Nair turned in an equaliser for the visitors before Kambo Smith scored the all-important winner in the 76th minute.
Pre-season favourites Welwyn Garden City opened their campaign with a 1-0 win at Tring Athletic, Newman Carney scoring the winner, and Wayne Gladdy was on target as another of the fancied sides, Oxhey Jets, won 1-0 at Crawley Green.
Elsewhere, Leighton Town won 2-1 at London Tigers and Edgware Town defeated St Margaretsbury 2-1, with Andrew Manitou scoring both goals.
CHRIS MITCHELL
COMBINED COUNTIES
WESTFIELD resumed where they had left off last season by beating visitors Farnham Town 5-0 in their Premier Division opener.
Last season’s runners-up assumed early top spot after enjoying a nap hand home win at Woking Park thanks to Max Blackmore’s hat-trick and goals from Hitcham Abdellah and James Mariner.
CB Hounslow United also got off to a strong start, celebrating the move to their new Green Lane ground by beating visitors Epsom & Ewell 4-2.
Joe Loftus-Cheek’s superb individual goal gave Salts the lead midway through the first half before Chris Henry levelled and Charlie McKee earned the hosts a stoppage-time 2-1 interval lead.
McKee went on to hit a hat-trick, before Kyle Hough, returning from last season’s stint back with Horley Town, salvaged a late consolation.
Camberley Town took third with a
3-1 win at Sutton Common Rovers, thanks to Josh Wood’s brace and Marcus Cousins’ top corner penalty.
Spelthorne Sports won 3-1 at promoted Balham, while hosts AFC Hayes beat new-look Horley Town 2-0.
Abbey Rangers triumphed 3-2 at last season’s Division One champions Banstead Athletic, new boys Godalming Town won 2-1 at newly promoted Redhill.
Guildford City won 1-0 at Chertsey Town through Kieran Campbell’s 81stminute penalty, hosts Bedfont Sports drew 2-2 with Knaphill, Colliers Wood United drew 1-1 at North Greenford United and Hanworth Villa shared the same scoreline at Walton & Hersham.
DAVID GROVES
SOUTHERN COMBINATION
HAYWARDS HEATH TOWN, last season’s runners-up, started the new Premier Division campaign with a 2-1 home win against Littlehampton Town, thanks to goals from Jamie Weston and Max Miller.
Paul Elliott’s early goal gave Worthing United a 1-0 win at newly-promoted Saltdean United, but fellow newcomers East Preston fared better as Oliver Stevenson’s strike earned a 1-0 home win over Peacehaven & Telscombe.
Lee Robinson netted all four of Newhaven’s goals as they recorded a fine 4-0 home success over Crawley Down Gatwick and Hassocks ran out comfortable 3-0 winners away to Arundel.
An 81st-minute Ollie Moore effort saw Loxwood beat Eastbourne United AFC 2-1 away and two late goals from Jason Taylor and Bright Temba secured Eastbourne Town a 2-0 away victory against Lancing.
Dean Wright and Devon Fender were Broadbridge Heath’s scorers in a 2-0 home win against Chichester City and Horsham YMCA suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Pagham.
And Three Bridges, who enter the league after relegation from the Isthmian Division One South, started life in the Southern Combination league with a 2-1 home win against AFC Uckfield Town. Mitchell Casselman and Matthew Whitehead were both on the scoresheet for the home side.
RORY HAYWARD
HELLENIC LEAGUE
HOTSHOTS Highworth Town took top spot thanks to a 6-2 triumph at Burnham.
Ryan O’Hara gave the visitors a sixthminute lead and Callum Parsons’ 34thminute strike ensured a 2-0 interval lead.
Dan Drewett extended the lead on 54 minutes before Burnham hit back with two in two minutes, Barry Dunbar and Abdul Ally on after 75 and 76 minutes respectively. Town then hit three in a dramatic finale to seal the win – Tom Cole after 82 minutes, Ash Edenborough on 84 minutes and Jake Slocombe after 90 minutes.
Second-placed Bracknell Town also earned maximum points after two games with a 3-1 win at Royal Wootton Bassett. Goals from Seb Bowerman on 69 minutes, Joe Cater on 83 minutes and Liam Ferdinand on 85 minutes made Ben Lodge’s 67th minute opener for the hosts a distant memory.
The last of the trio on full points are third-placed Thatcham Town, who won 1-0 at Brimscombe & Thrupp thanks to Shane Cooper-Clark’s 11th-minute goal.
Flackwell Heath romped to a 6-2 success at new boys Fairford Town thanks to Dean Allen, Joel Jacobs, Elliot Derby, Liam Tack and Nile O’MeallyNewell’s late brace.
Hosts Longlevens pipped Brackley Town Saints 4-3 in a thriller, Tuffley Rovers beat new boys Windsor 1-0, hosts Abingdon United defeated Ascot United 4-0, Oxford City Nomads lost 1-0 at Binfield, league newcomers Wantage Town lost 2-1 to visitors Lydney Town and Highmoor Ibis drew 0-0 at Woodley United, also new to the league.
DAVID GROVES
SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST
RUSTHALL made a winning debut in the Premier Division following last season’s promotion with a 2-1 success at much-fancied Sheppey United.
Sheppey opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Dan Bradshaw but seven minutes before the break Dan Powell levelled. Sheppey made two changes at half-time but just two minutes into the second half Rusthall’s Dan Mitchell scored the decisive goal.
Rusthall manager Steve Ashmore told The NLP: “I thought it took us 15 minutes to find our feet, but after that I was delighted with our performance against a good side.”
Fellow newcomers Glebe went down 3-1 at home Whitstable Town, with Ricky Freeman’s spectacular effort completing the scoring for the visitors.
There were four 3-1 wins on the opening day. Dave Pilcher scored twice, including a penalty, for Canterbury City, who beat Erith Town in their first home game at Deal Town.
Cray Valley could be an outside tip for promotion and they won 3-1 at Bearsted, where Ben Francis scored twice after Michael Hagan had netted on his Millers debut. The other 3-1 winners were AFC Croydon Athletic, with Nahum Green scoring a hat-trick in their win at Rochester United.
Chatham Town returned to Step 5 from the Isthmian League with a 2-0 loss at Sevenoaks Town. PAUL CARTER
WESTERN LEAGUE
MELKSHAM TOWN kept up their winning start to the league season, fighting back from a goal down to beat Hallen 3-1.
The hosts went ahead in the tenth minute through Tyler Davis, but found themselves behind at the break after a quick-fire double from Gary Higdon and Luke Ballinger. Melksham wrapped up the points with Higdon’s second from the spot in injury time.
Bradford Town were another side to make it two wins from two as Will Haliston, Anthony Conradi and Dan Cottle fired them to a 3-0 win over Wellington, with Hengrove Athletic joining them on six points at the top of the table as goals from Charlie Johansen, Richard Groves, Jared Lewington and Chris Wright saw them beat Chipping Sodbury Town 4-3.
Harry Foster scored either side of half-time in Street’s 4-0 triumph over Longwell Green Sports, while Leighton Thomas and Richard Hebditch each scored braces in Bridport’s 4-1 win at Cadbury Heath.
Brislington also won on the road, defeating Bridgwater Town 2-0, and in Devon, Kye Simpson scored twice late on to rescue a 2-2 draw for Odd Down against Willand Rovers.
Clevedon Town had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Bitton despite taking an early lead through Kane Ingram, after Tom Knighton got the visitors back on level terms soon after the break, while Wells City salvaged a 2-2 draw with Hengrove Athletic and Cribbs won 1-0 at Shepton Mallet. TOM HISCOTT
WESSEX LEAGUE
ANDOVER TOWN recorded an impressive 3-1 home win against Sholing in the Premier Division on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts went ahead when Liam Gilbert scored after just eight minutes with a long-range effort. Reece Rusher doubled Town’s lead on 25 minutes before Sholing cut the deficit just three minutes later, thanks to Byron Mason.
But Andover rallied and restored their two-goal lead as Zach Glasspool netted a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Newly-promoted Baffins Milton Rovers entertained Fareham Town at the Kendall Stadium and were eventual 3-2 winners. A Joel Jackson brace put the home side firmly in control at halftime before the Creeksiders fought back.
Fareham pulled one back and pushed for a leveller, but then Joel Jackson completed a fine hat-trick, before Fareham netted a late goal.
Fellow new boys Hamble Club were also victorious, with a 4-2 home win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
Petersfield Town won 4-1 at home to Amesbury Town. The visitors took a first-half lead before Petersfield produced a second-half fightback.
In Division One, Alton pulled off a remarkable 8-4 home win over Ringwood Town. MATT RICHBELL
STEP 6 ROUND-UPS SOUTH WEST PENINSULA
SALTASH UNITED are the early leaders once again this season after a 8-1 rout at home to Witheridge.
Ashes were in devastating form to take top spot narrowly from defending champions Tavistock.
The sides were separated by a mere whisker after Tavy romped to a 7-0 win at Falmouth Town. Dan Sullivan and Jack Crago both bagged braces, while Luke Brown, Josh Grant and Rikki Shephard completed the goal rush.
Callington Town also enjoyed a strong start, beating Cullompton Rangers 4-0, while pre-season title favourites Plymouth Parkway edged to a 2-0 win in an entertaining game at Launceston. Glyn Hobbs netted from the spot and Ethan Phillips sealed the win.
Newcomers Sticker triumphed 2-0 at Exmouth Town, Plymouth Argyle Reserves won 2-1 at Ivybridge Town on Friday in front of a bumper 310-strong crowd, new boys Stoke Gabriel edged it 3-2 at St Austell, Bodmin Town drew 1-1 with visitors Torpoint Athletic.
DAVID GROVES
EAST MIDLANDS
KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE got their campaign off to a flying start as they defeated Radcliffe Olympic 5-0, courtesy of goals from Thomas Dale, Ryan Tittensor, Jordan Richardson, Sean Green and Ryan Bowen.
Stapenhill remain top of the league despite losing 4-2 at home to Dunkirk, although Selston’s 3-1 win at Barrow Town and Holbrook Sports’ 2-0 win over Arnold Town mean they only lead on goal difference.
Blaby & Whetstone Athletic resisted a late fightback by Anstey Nomads to win 3-2, while braces from Amadu Jalloh and Jack Gray handed West Bridgford a 4-2 victory at Clifton All Whites.
Three goals in the opening 15 minutes set Aylestone Park on the way to an entertaining 5-3 win at Gedling Miners Welfare and Borrowash Victoria beat Radford 6-3.
Ashby Ivanhoe beat Holwell Sports 5-1, Birstall United won 2-0 at Belper United, and Graham Street Prims edged past Teversal 2-1.
OLIVER LINES
WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL
PEGASUS JUNIORS fell to their third straight defeat, suffering a 6-1 thrashing by rivals Wellington.
Josh Hunt hammered home a hat-trick for Wellington with Paul Jones netting two more and Matt Williams making it six of the best, before George Andrews replied with a consolation goal.
Last season’s strugglers Wellington Amateurs are already propping up the table after a 5-2 loss to Malvern Town.
Dimitri Dunkley bagged a brace as Wolves Sporting Community sunk Stone Old Alleynians 3-0, while Bewdley Town beat Dudley Town by the same margin.
Smethwick Rangers fought back to beat Wednesfield 2-1, Joe Lawley netted from the spot to secure Tividale a 1-0 win over Cradley Town, Dudley Sports secured their first win, against Hereford Lads Club 2-1 and the shock of the day saw Shifnal Town win 4-3 at much-fancied Wolves Casuals.
NICK PULLEN