STEP 5 ROUND-UPS
NORTHERN LEAGUE
NINE-MAN Shildon surrendered top spot in Division One on goal difference after a 3-0 defeat at local rivals West Auckland Town.
Nathan Fisher found the top corner with a curling strike to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time.
The Railwaymen’s uphill task became a mountain with 20 minutes remaining after Daniel Moore was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Steven Snaith.
A manic final few minutes saw the hosts double their lead through Amar Purewal’s 86th-minute header, before Shildon keeper Shaun Newbrook was shown two yellow cards in a minute.
That reduced the visitors to nine men – allowing Purewal to add West Auckland’s third in injury time.
Stockton Town gained revenge over Newcastle Benfield in the form of a 20 win, after Benfield had knocked the Anchors out of the FA Cup.
A second-half Adam Nicholson brace was enough to hand Stockton all three points.
Sunderland RCA won their midtable clash with Ashington 3-1, with goals from James Armstrong, Mark Davison and Michael Charlton seeing the hosts take a three-goal lead.
Channon North’s injury-time consolation goal restored a bit of pride for the outgunned Colliers.
JACK McGRAGHAN
NORTH WEST COUNTIES
JUST two Premier Division games took place yesterday, both involving sides expected to challenge come the end of the season.
In a lively game at Wincham Park, Northwich Victoria and Padiham played out a thrilling 2-2 draw.
The Vics made a great start, going ahead on 22 minutes when Stuart McDonald capitalised on a defensive error to fire into the corner.
Their lead was doubled four minutes later when Brandon Barski powered in a header from a superb corner kick.
The Storks pulled a goal back on 36 minutes, when the Trickies failed to clear their lines and Ollie Ford latched onto the ball and fired home.
In an even second half, Lee Knight levelled for Padiham on 69 minutes.
Things were more cut and dried at the Brian Addison Stadium, where Squires Gate were convincing 3-0 winners against 1874 Northwich.
This was the tenth league meeting between the two clubs and the result turned the form book on its head.
After an even first half, Gate strode ahead in the second period when Ryan Charnley tapped in from a loose clearance on 50 minutes.
Brett Dawson’s 64th-minute penalty all but sealed matters, and it was put beyond doubt when Finley Clarkson scored from close range late on.
GARY LANGLEY
NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST
HEMSWORTH MINERS WELFARE climbed to the top of the Premier Division thanks to their 2-0 win at Albion Sports, in one of only two league games to be played yesterday.
The visitors made the perfect start with Brad Dockerty putting them into the lead after just three minutes.
Jed Rashid doubled their advantage midway through the second period and the Miners are now two points clear of second-placed Maltby Main.
Garforth Town were convincing 4-1 winners against Hall Road Rangers.
Aodhan Brownlee scored on six minutes, but this was cancelled out by Connor Harman at the start of the second period.
It was Garforth who finished the stronger with Mark Ferguson netting a brace, while Devone Newman-Morton scored a penalty.
Hemsworth MW will have a chance to extend their advantage next weekend when they take on Barton Town, while Maltby will be concentrating on the FA Cup.
Scott Mason’s side will be beamed across the country after their first qualifying round tie with Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One East side Frickley Athletic was chosen as one of those to be streamed live by the BBC.
The plan to kick off at 12.30pm was in jeopardy until Maltby Whippet Racing Club agreed to cancel their usual meeting at Muglet Lane in order for the game to go ahead.
DAVID LAWRENCE
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
HARBOROUGH TOWN registered their first league win of the season after coming from behind to beat local rivals Desborough Town 2-1.
Jason Turner gave the visitors a 24th-minute lead after capitalising on a poor clearance, with Callum Milne levelling the scores on 52 minutes.
Substitute Daniel Forbes struck the winner for the hosts in the 55th minute before Desborough’s Mendy Maki had a header disallowed for offside.
Richard Blythe’s double saw new boys Rugby Town make it three wins out of three with a 2-0 home victory over Holbeach United, taking them up to second in the table and level on points with leaders Daventry Town.
Rugby substitute Stefan Blake was sent off for a late tackle.
Newport Pagnell Town saw off ten man visitors Leicester Nirvana 3-0 thanks to goals from Harry Stratton, sub Dominic Lawless and Yaw Ofusu.
Jordan Nuttell’s 80th-minute goal saw newly-promoted Pinchbeck United win 2-0 at Cogenhoe United.
Michael Hayden struck the winner for Sleaford Town, who were 2-1 victors after taking a fifth-minute lead against visitors Wellingborough Town through an own goal. ROBIN JONES
MIDLAND LEAGUE
ROOKIE Liam Lockett led the lastditch charge as ten-man Worcester City withstood a late barrage to pinch a 2-1 victory at Shepshed Dynamo.
Tyler Weir put City in front after 11 minutes, racing onto a through ball following a clever Jordan Harrison dummy to steer inside the near post.
Controversy struck ten minutes before the interval when Jamie Smith saw red for tangling with Ryan Robbins on the left corner of the Dynamo box.
Worcester gradually retreated from there and Dynamo made their pressure pay through Jordan Smith’s fierce downward header on 81 minutes.
Shepshed pushed on, but City’s quick-thinking keeper Dan Jezeph punted forward for Kyonn Evans to flick on for Lockett to lift the winner over the advancing Brandon Ganley three minutes into added time.
Highgate United’s unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt with a 3-0 home defeat against AFC Wulfrunians.
The Gate had conceded only once in eight matches in all competitions, but succumbed to Jake Webb’s hat-trick.
Dimitri Dunkley struck four minutes from time as Romulus snared a topsyturvy 3-2 win at Lye Town.
Long Eaton United played out a 1-1 draw with Westfields, while Walsall Wood were held 0-0 at home by Stourport Swifts. ANDY MITCHELL
ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE
THE FA VASE took centre stage yesterday, so no league games were played.
Only one has a 100 per cent record, though four others have yet to lose.
Takeley have that perfect record, and they saw off Hoddesdon Town 3- 2 in midweek with Stuart Zanone and Charlie Cole, with a brace, on target.
Woodford Town, who won their first two games, have now lost their last two, with Walthamstow triumphing 3-2 at Harlow on Wednesday.
It has been quite a turnaround for the rebranded Walthamstow who, as Waltham Forest, came close to relegation last season.
Ahead of them are Hullbridge Sports, who have won three and drawn one, and Saffron Walden Town, with two wins and two draws.
Saffron Walden, founder members and two-times champions, have returned after 13 seasons in the Thurlow Nunn League, although as secretary Stuart Vant admitted: “Almost all of us are new to the club, so we weren’t involved when we played in the league before.” DAVID BALLHEIMER
EASTERN COUNTIES
STOWMARKET TOWN are the new league leaders after recording a crushing 4-0 win at struggling Great Yarmouth Town.
Ollie Brown and Ollie Canfer both struck first half goals to hand the visitors a commanding 2-0 half-time lead.
Phill Weavers then added a third before Canfer netted his second to round off a comfortable victory.
The result meant Stowmarket climbed above pre-match leaders Histon, who weren’t involved in league action this weekend, while the defeat for Great Yarmouth sees them slip into the bottom three.
FC Clacton climbed out of the bottom three with a 3-1 success at Thetford Town.
Andrew Wood put the home side ahead in the 16th minute, but the visitors responded in fine style as Jake Plane grabbed a brace and Adam Hampson added their third late on.
Godmanchester Rovers were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Kirkley & Pakefield in Saturday’s other game.
Jack Chandler and Ross Munro scored first half goals as the home side led 2-1 at the interval, but Kirkley fought back and equalised in the second half to salvage a point.
RORY HAYWARD
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS
BIGGLESWADE FC move to the top of the table after an excellent 4-0 win at home to North Greenford United, who played with ten men for an hour.
Ryan Inskip scored early on and his goal was added to by further strikes from the Marsh brothers Alex and Luke, as well as Justin Leavers late on.
Ahead of this weekend, only Tring Athletic and Colney Heath remained unbeaten in the top division and both their records remain intact.
Tring Athletic did so spectacularly, as four goals in the opening 19 minutes sent them on their way to a 7-1 win at home to Leighton Town, with Kieran Turner and Ashton Campbell among the goals.
Colney Heath won 2-1 at Crawley Green thanks to goals from Joe Newton and Spencer Clarke-Mardel.
Elsewhere, Arlesey Town maintained their fine start to the campaign as they drew 0-0 at Harpenden Town.
Oxhey Jets are down to fourth after goals from Yemi Buraimoh, Jeff Idemudia and Ibrahim Camara saw them lose 3-0 at Hadley.
In the Challenge Trophy, Premier Division Potton United showed their class as they eased to a 4-0 win at Division Two side Aston Clinton, with Christian Small and Danny Webb among the scorers. CHRIS MITCHELL
COMBINED COUNTIES
STRIKER Steve Duff bagged a double in his first competitive game of the season to give Camberley Town a 2-0 win over visitors Sutton Common Rovers, who suffered their second league defeat of the season.
Duff opened the scoring on ten minutes after a defensive error by the visitors led to them giving the ball away.
He added his second 14 minutes later when his free-kick from the left took a slight deflection past goalkeeper Ollie Ellaway.
Rovers’ midfielder Matt Ferdinando was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Walton & Hersham, with only one win in five league games so far, forced a 1-1 draw at third-placed Banstead Athletic.
After a goalless first half, the visitors took the lead in the 48th minute when Dan Band beat keeper Jack Minchen with a header.
The Swans’ joy was short-lived, as Gerry Jones levelled with a shot from outside the box three minutes later.
Horley Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Badshot Lea, who wasted several chance to sew up the game.
In Division One’s only game, Farnham Town forced a goalless draw at Dorking Wanderers Reserves.
ROBIN JONES
SOUTHERN COMBINATION
HORSHAM YMCA are up to second after a 2-0 win at Shoreham. Tony Nwachukwu put the visitors ahead just after the hour, before Dean Bown doubled their advantage and sealed victory with five minutes to go.
The result means that Horsham have won four of their opening five league games and are now just one point behind leaders Chichester City, who weren’t involved in Premier Division action this weekend.
Defeat for Shoreham sees them remain in mid-table, with seven points secured from their first six games.
In midweek, Ben Bacon scored four times for fourth-placed Saltdean United in an impressive 4-1 win at Hassocks, while bottom side Loxwood suffered a 3-0 defeat at Horsham.
Third-placed Pagham were held to a goalless draw at home by Arundel.
Callum Smith struck all four of AFC Uckfield Town’s goals, including a 95th-minute winner, as they beat Langney Wanderers 4-3 at home.
In Tuesday night’s other games, Eastbourne Town lost 4-3 at home to fifth-placed Newhaven, while Little Common and Lingfield drew 1-1.
RORY HAYWARD
HELLENIC LEAGUE
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT TOWN survived a second half onslaught from visitors Windsor to scrape a 2-1 victory.
Windsor keeper Hugo Sobte conceded a first-half penalty, but made amends by saving TJ Bohane’s spot kick. But the ball was not cleared and was returned into the goalmouth for Bohane to head home at the far post.
The hosts’ second goal came after Brad Pagliaroli raced clear down the left wing and squared the ball to Gio Wrona, who curled a shot into the top right corner.
Windsor dominated for long periods after the break and a failed clearance led to Malachi Thomas reducing the deficit.
Charlie Kille gave Brackley Town Saints a sixth-minute lead in their 2-1
victory at Tuffley Rovers.
Charlie Kille added the Saints’ second in the 39th minute and although Warren Mann pulled one back in firsthalf stoppage time, the hosts were unable to find another way through.
Pacesetting Wantage Town’s run of five wins in five games was halted as they were held 2-2 at Virginia Water.
Liam Whyte and Josh Hill netted for the home side with Steve Robertson hitting a double for the visitors, who played most of the game with ten men after keeper Curtis Meare was sent off.
Flackwell Heath were held to a goalless draw at home by Longlevens. ROBIN JONES
SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST
BECKENHAM TOWN maintained their 100 per cent record as they won a seven goal thriller at league leaders Chatham Town.
Byron Walker opened the scoring a minute before the break for Chatham and then restored their lead in the 65th minute after Jamie Humphris levelled.
Taylor Fisher equalised again 20 minutes from time and Jack Hope’s goal put the visitors ahead for the first time in the 78th minute.
Paul Vines appeared to have rescued a point when he scored three minutes from time for Chatham, but Adam Wadmore’s 90th-minute goal gave the visitors a 4-3 win that put them up to third.
Connor Payne scored a first half hattrick for Deal Town as they won 4-2 at Crowborough Athletic.
Payne opened the scoring in the ninth minute before further strikes in the 17th and 28th minutes.
Harris Rogers’ goal made it 4-0 at the break before the Crows pulled back two second half goals through Luke Leppard and a Jack Funnell penalty.
In Division One, Kennington saw their unbeaten start end with a 4-1 defeat at home to Bridon Ropes. Forest Hill Park moved up to ninth with a 3-1 win at Phoenix Sports Reserves. PAUL CARTER
WESTERN LEAGUE
BRIDGWATER TOWN started September as they ended August with a huge league victory, an 8-0 thrasing of Chipping Sodbury Town.
After putting six past Brislington last Saturday, Bridgwater went two better at The Ridings, with last week’s fivegoal hero Jack Taylor scoring early on to add to Jake Brown’s opener.
Incredibly, Bridgwater had eight different goalscorers during this onesided victory; with Tom Ellis, Harry Horton, Sam Towler, Kurt Robinson, Ryan Burrows and Ian Bellinger each getting on the scoresheet.
The returning duo of Dan Cottle and Will Haliston made an instant impact for Bradford Town during their 2-1 win at home to Shortwood United.
Having moved to Frome Town in the close season, the pair returned to Bradford earlier this week and it was Haliston’s brace which secured the three points, with Cottle supplying assists for both goals.
Willand Rovers will retain local bragging rights for the season after completing their second 1-0 win of the campaign over Devon neighbours
Buckland Athletic, with their latest victory coming thanks to Adam Kelly’s own goal just before half-time.
Cadbury Heath claimed their first league win of the season, defeating strugglers Cribbs 2-0 at Springfield. TOM HISCOTT
WESSEX LEAGUE
PETERSFIELD TOWN held out for
a 5-4 victory at Andover Town’s Portway Stadium in Division One.
Jordan Neal put Petersfield ahead in the second minute, a lead that Callum Coker doubled four minutes later.
Jon Byerley made it 3-0 to the visi- tors in the tenth minute, before Coker got his second 12 minutes later.
After the hosts got a goal ten minutes before the interval to reduce their deficit to 4-1, Harry Giles scored not long after the second half restart to restore Petersfield’s four-goal lead.
Andover pulled three goals back in the second period, but could not find an equaliser as the visitors held on.
Elsewhere in Division One, goals from Owen Nicholson and Joe Kimber helped Verwood Town to a 2-1 win at
New Milton Town’s Fawcetts Field. MATT RICHBELL