STEP 5 ROUND-UPS

NORTHERN LEAGUE

WINLESS Billingham Synthonia remain rooted at the bottom after a 4-2 defeat at home to Jarrow Roofing.

Despite being two-down, Roofing fought back through two Dennis Knight penalties before a brace from Kieran Martin put them out of sight.

Marske United moved into third place with a 2-1 win over strugglers Washington, while West Auckland Town defeated Whitley Bay 3-0 with Nathan Fisher on the scoresheet.

Early title favourites Morpeth Town thrashed Penrith 6-0 with Sean Taylor netting a hat-trick and Luke Carr, Ben Sayer and Liam Henderson on target.

Managerless Ashington crushed high-flying North Shields 5-1, the Robins playing half the game with ten men after Lee Mason was sent off.

Consett drew 1-1 with Newton Aycliffe in a tight match. Dave Dawson gave the Steelmen the lead before Kurt Matthews levelled for Aycliffe.

Stockton Town defeated ten-man Newcastle Benfield 4-1 with goals from Jamie Poole, Sonny Coleman, Chris Stockton and Kevin Hayes.

Dunston UTS lost ground at the top when they slipped to a 2-0 home defeat against Seaham Red Star, Liam McBryde and Aaron Croft scoring.

There was a seven goal thriller as Sunderland RCA defeated Guisborough Town 4-3, while Ryhope CW won 3-1 at Bishop Auckland.

MATTY HEWITT

NORTH WEST COUNTIES

MITCHELL BRYANT scored the goal that handed Runcorn Linnetts a 1-0 win at Burscough.

That means they are now just one point behind league leaders Runcorn Town, who were without a game.

AFC Darwen clawed their way back to draw 4-4 with visitors Bootle, with Adam Douglas scoring a last-gasp equaliser.

Zack Dale scored a late winner as Barnoldswick Town beat Barnton 32.

West Didsbury & Chorlton were convincing 3-1 winners at Winsford United and it was the same winning margin for Charnock Richard at Maine Road.

Squires Gate won a nine-goal thriller at home to AFC Liverpool 5-4 with Gary Peet scoring a first half double.

Congleton Town won 4-2 at City of Liverpool in spite of the home side taking an early lead, while Northwich Victoria won 2-0 at Irlam.

Elsewhere, Hanley Town won 2-1 at Padiham thanks to a Dan Cope double, while Widnes drew 2-2 at home to 1874 Northwich.

The day’s other game saw Ashton Athletic win 2-0 at Abbey Hey with both goals coming from Dale Karie-Butler. DAVID LAWRENCE

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST

DEADLY Dan Broadbent rattled in a brace for Thackley to prick Pickering’s title ambitions.

The highflying visitors took an early lead through Ryan Blott, but Broadbent, Joe Hughes and Matt Broadley ensured Thackley won 4-2.

Leaders Pontefract Collieries had no such problems as they smashed five goals past lowly Bottesford.

Their 5-1 win was capped by a 17minute first half hat-trick from Michael Dunne, with Glyn Cotton and Spencer Clarke also netting.

Kieran Ryan grabbed three goals as Penistone Church hit fellow strugglers Harrogate Railway for six.

Ryan’s second-half hat-trick followed a Brett Lovell brace in the opening period and an Andrew Ring goal.

Luke Walker was the matchwinner for Rainworth Miners as his late double saw off Hemsworth 2-1, Nash Connolly grabbing a consolation goal.

Barton snatched a vital three points at Albion Sports with goals in either half from Gareth Barlow in a 2-1 win.

Bottom club Clipstone crashed to a 3-1 home defeat to AFC Mansfield. Oliver Fearon scored all three goals including one from the spot.

Jonathan Froggatt’s strike earned promotion hopefuls Handsworth the points at Liversedge, Staveley Miners saw off Parkgate thanks to an Adam Lee goal on the stroke of half time, Malty Main drew 1-1 with Bridlington and so did Garforth and Hall Road.

NAT SYLVESTER

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

UNBEATEN Leicester Nirvana stretched their lead at the top to seven points with Jordan Nelson earning a 1-0 win at Eynesbury Rovers.

Second place Newport Pagnell Town lost their first league game of the season when they went down 3-2 to Deeping Rangers. Skipper David-Burton Jones grabbed a 79th-minute winner after the hosts twice came from behind to equalise through Dan Schiavi and Jason Kilbride.

Nick Frost hit four goals and Aaron Eyett one as Boston Town crushed Northampton Sileby Rangers 5-0.

Sean Doy, John Berniston and Ash Day scored for Kirby Muxloe in a 3-1 win over Wellingborough Whitworth.

Wisbech Town threw away a threegoal lead courtesy of Jon Fairweather, Kieran Hamilton and Adam Millson and had to rely on Alex Beck to grab their winner in a 4-3 home victory over lowly Northampton ON Chenecks.

John Dean opened Desborough Town’s account at Oadby Town after just 50 seconds before Jason Turner hit a double and Liam Boath and Andy Hall bagged one each in a 5-0 win.

Lewis O’Dell and Jordan Henson netted for Rothwell Corinthians in their 2-0 win over Holbeach United.

Jake Bettles hit the winner for hosts Daventry Town in their 3-2 win over bottom club Sleatford Town, with Liam Hargrave and Jordan Orosz hitting their earlier goals.

Peterborough Northern Star hammered Wellingborough Town 4-1, while the two Harrys – May and Hensbury - netted for Harborough Town in their 2-1 win at Yaxley and St Andrews beat Cogenhoe United 3-1.

ROBIN JONES

MIDLAND LEAGUE

BROMSGROVE SPORTING are just a point off the top of the table after a Robbie Bunn goal ten minutes from time handed them victory at Heanor Town.

Leaders Coleshill Town were stunned by visitors Stourport Swifts, who twice came from two goals down to win 5-4.

Jordan Nadat scored twice for the home side, but two goals apiece from Paul Hurrell and Aaron Lloyd earned the Swifts the spoils.

The Butts Park Arena also saw plenty of goals with Coventry United having to settle for a point in their 3-3 draw with Shawbury United.

High-fliers Worcester City also shared the honours in their 1-1 draw with South Normanton Athletic, while a brace from Nicky Turton gave AFC Wulfrunians a 2-1 win at Rugby Town.

Westfields eased to a 3-1 win at home to Boldmere St Michaels and Quorn were convincing 3-0 winners at home to Lye Town.

Two goals from Jamie Towers helped Coventry Sphinx to a 2-1 win against Rocester, while Sporting Khalsa were the day’s biggest winners as they saw off Loughborough University 4-0. Dave Meese led the way with a goal in each half.

Elsewhere, Long Eaton United beat Haughmond 2-0 thanks to goals from Shaun Rickford and Andy Todd.

DAVID LAWRENCE

EASTERN COUNTIES

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC fought back from two goals down to secure a highly impressive 5-2 home win against Godmanchester Rovers.

Adam Bloss netted twice for fourthplaced Brantham with Ben Newson, Michael Brothers and Craig Hughes also on target for the home side.

Wroxham remain in sixth despite a crushing 4-0 victory at struggling Haverhill Borough. Sam Pledger grabbed a brace for the visitors with Robbie-Lee Sweeney and Payton Swatman also on the scoresheet.

Evan Key, Matt Hayden and Tommy Wright were seventh-placed Histon’s scorers as they comfortably overcame Wivenhoe Town 3-1 at home.

Dan Trendall’s first half strike was enough to hand Saffron Walden Town a 1-0 success at Ipswich Wanderers, while Hadleigh United were 2-0 winners at home to Haverhill Rovers.

Joe McCracken struck twice for Stanway Rovers as they beat Walsham-le-Willows 3-0, while there was a 2-1 victory for Stowmarket Town at Long Melford.

On Friday, league leaders Felixstowe & Walton United extended their advantage at the top to 14 points after running out 4-1 winners at Kirkley & Pakefield, with Newmarket Town being held to a 1-1 draw at Ely City.

RORY HAYWARD

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS

BERKHAMSTED and Welwyn Garden City maintained their unbeaten starts to the league season and continued to lead the way at the top of the table.

The Comrades won 3-1 at home against Stotfold thanks to first half goals from Stacey Field, Sean Coughlan and Stuart Deaton, while Welwyn Garden City beat Hadley 4-1 with Jon Clements and Josh Bronti among the goals.

Colney Heath remain bottom of the table after their fifth defeat of the season, 2-0 at home to Biggleswade United. It was their fifth win of the season for United, which was achieved through second half goals from Alix Girdlestone and Nick Elliott.

Tring Athletic’s poor start to the campaign continues after they lost 4-2 at home to local rivals Leighton Town despite leading 2-1 at half time.

Oxhey Jets drew 2-2 at home to Holmer Green in an entertaining midtable encounter, despite trailing 2-0 at the interval. Goals from Nick Kerly and Ned Clarke secured an excellent point.

Harpenden Town’s 2-1 win at Crawley Green sees them move into the top six, Cockfosters drew 0-0 at home to St Margaretsbury and Wembley shared the points with visitors Hoddesdon Town in a 1-1 draw.

CHRIS MITCHELL

COMBINED COUNTIES

THREE of the leading four sides all won on another exciting afternoon in the Premier Division.

Leaders and favourites Westfield picked up a 2-1 home win against sixth-placed Spelthorne Sports.

Their closest challengers are now Walton & Hersham, two points adrift having played a match more, who sank third-place hosts Horley Town 2-0.

Bedfont Sports climbed to fourth following a thrilling 5-3 win against Colliers Wood United at Bedfont Sports Club, with Scott Harris and substitute Jacob Lambe both scoring twice after Darryl Sanders had started their goal rush early on.

Guildford City slipped to fifth as they lost 3-1 at North Greenford United with substitute Brian Testolin grabbing a late hat-trick for the hosts.

Redhill lost 1-0 at CB Hounslow United, while Sutton Common Rovers defeated Chertsey Town 2-1.

Knaphill succumbed 3-2 at Balham, while Camberley Town drew 1-1 with

basement boys Epsom & Ewell, Jamie Hoppitt and debutant Lloyd Connolly scoring for the respective teams.

Farnham Town beat Abbey Rangers 1-0 through Nick Medcraft’s strike, while Banstead Athletic went down 2-1 at Hanworth Villa.

Tom Neale and Jack Mills netted for The Villains, with Danny Penfold having equalised for the visitors.

Third-bottom AFC Hayes won 2-1 at second-bottom Godalming Town.

DAVID GROVES

SOUTHERN COMBINATION

TREVOR MCCREADIE struck a hat-trick for Haywards Heath Town as they remained top of the table with a 4-2 home win against Loxwood.

Peacehaven & Telscombe are still second, level on points with leaders Haywards Heath, after a 2-0 victory at Broadbridge Heath with goals from Cameron Wiltshire and Frazer Massen.

Chris Cumming-Bart grabbed a dramatic 94th minute winner for Eastbourne Town as they climbed to fourth place after a 2-1 win at struggling East Preston.

Third-placed Chichester City suffered a 3-2 defeat away to Newhaven as Lee Robinson scored all three of the home side’s goals, while Three Bridges dropped to fifth after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by bottom side Littlehampton Town.

AFC Uckfield Town remain in the drop zone despite securing a point from a 2-2 draw at Pagham.

Arundel are the other side in the relegation places after losing 3-2 at home to Crawley Down Gatwick.

Deji Alabi’s first half goal was enough to hand Worthing United a 10 victory at Eastbourne United AFC and there was an impressive 3-1 away success for Horsham YMCA against Saltdean United.

Lancing ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Hassocks.

RORY HAYWARD

HELLENIC LEAGUE

HIGHWORTH TOWN extended their Premier Division leadership thanks to their emphatic 5-1 success at second-from-bottom Fairford Town.

Romping to a remarkable 13th win from 13 league starts this season, the visitors excelled at Cinder Lane.

Highworth dominated with Callum Parsons grabbing a hat-trick, with Asa Corrick and Josh Jones also on target. Fairford’s scorer was Dan Reynolds.

Flackwell Heath stay in second despite crashing 3-1 to Bracknell Town at Wilks Park.

The Robins climbed to third position thanks to Adam Cornell’s brace and Joe Grant, with Dean Allen replying.

Wantage Town climbed to fourth following a 5-0 drubbing of Burnham.

Steve Robertson hit a hat-trick with Jack Dunmall and Nick Thorne being their other goalscorers.

Thatcham Town fell two places to fifth following their 0-0 draw with visitors Binfield at Waterside Park.

Sam Blackie scored twice as Brimscombe & Thrupp beat Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3-0, with Eli Simpson netting the other.

Longlevens lost 5-1 at Oxford City Nomads on Friday, while Brackley Town Saints beat Ascot United 2-1.

Windsor won 3-1 against struggling Highmoor Ibis with Riccardo Cannon hitting a double and Haydon Clack adding another. Ricardo Catlyn replied.

Lydney Town defeated Woodley United 1-0, while Tuffley Rovers drew 1-1 at Abingdon United.

DAVID GROVES

SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST

ERITH & BELVEDERE produced the Kent Senior Trophy’s result of the day as they thumped Premier Division AFC Croydon Athletic 6-1.

The Deres were one of three First Division sides to win away to top division opposition, with Kofi Quartey netting a hat-trick.

Sporting Club Thamesmead came from a goal down to win 4-1 at Bearsted, while Holmesdale were 2-1 winners at Glebe with skipper Charlie McCarthy scoring both goals.

It wasn’t all bad for the Premier Division clubs; Richard Atkins scored twice for Beckenham Town as they eased to a 4-0 win at Sutton Athletic.

Erith Town were heading out as they trailed 3-2 at Kent Football United until the 88th minute, but late goals from Myles Keizer-Burrows and Danny Gannon put the Dockers through.

Tunbridge Wells have been struggling for eague form but first half goals from Brad Potter, Jack Harris and Joe Nwoko were enough to secure a 3-2 win over Snodland Town.

Whitstable Town beat First Division Elmstead by the same scoreline, while Sheppey United were 3-1 winners over Southern Amateur League side West Wickham.

James Collins took Cray Valley to the final last season and he saw his new Chatham Town charges win 3-1 at Lewisham Borough after extra time.

Hollands & Blair, bottom of the Premier Division, squeezed out First Division leaders K Sports 3-2.

PAUL CARTER

WESTERN LEAGUE

THE WESTERN LEAGUE had a weekend off but they celebrated their 125th year anniversary on Wednesday, when a Representative XI took on an FA XI for whom England C boss Paul Fairclough took charge.

The team representing the FA were selected predominantly from Southern League clubs, with both sides putting on a good show at Melksham Town’s modern Oakfield Stadium.

The Western League side, managed by Darren Perrin, went ahead when Dan Demkiv broke down the right-hand side before crossing to a wide open Dan Cottle, with the Bradford Town man slotting home.

Perrin’s charges went close to doubling their advantage when the influential Joe McClennan brought a strong save out of Charlie Searle, and then with their next attack, the Western League were 2-0 up when the speedy Demkiv slid home on his home ground.

Following a number of changes by both sides, the game broke up somewhat after the break and with 12 minutes remaining the FA XI got themselves a deserved goal thanks to Basingstoke Town’s Dan Bayliss.

That goal brought the game to life and the Western League side came close to restoring their two-goal lead through Mike Perrott and Asa White, but those misses proved costly when another Basingstoke man Callum Bunting, converted a cross from club teammate Sam Smart to level things up on a celebratory evening.

TOM HISCOTT

WESSEX LEAGUE

ANDOVER TOWN beat Blackfield & Langley 5-3 in front of more than 250 supporters at the Portway Stadium, a result that put Andover level on points with their visitors, with the hosts ahead on goal difference.

Mike Byrne put the visitors ahead after just five minutes, but the lead was short-lived as Andover drew level thanks to Connor Cocklin.

Town’s newest recruit George Hallahan scored from a Tadley Calleva ball, but it was soon all square again.

Andover took control once again when Hallahan scored again and the hosts went in 3-2 up at the break.

Byrne saw red for the Watersiders after the restart before Town extended their lead through Zach Glasspool.

Jason Silver added a fifth shortly afterwards scored, and although Rudi Plummer netted a late consolation goal Blackfield couldn’t get back into it.

Team Solent were also free-scoring as they beat Brockenhurst 7-0.

Hisham Kasimu hit a hat-trick in the opening half-hour to put the hosts firmly in control.

Tyrell Mitford weighed in with a fourth for the Students before Kasimu netted his fourth of the afternoon. Silvano Obeng added a sixth for Team Solent late on and they even had time for a seventh thanks to Steven Black.

Sholing kept up the pressure on the top two with a 4-0 victory at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Byron Mason bagged a brace for the Boatmen with further goals scored by TJ Cuthbertson and Daniel Mason.

MATT RICHBELL