Bilsthorpe on Central Midlands title trail

Bilsthorpe are closing in on the Central Midlands League Black Dragon Badges North Division title after the two sides above them both stumbled last weekend.
Thorne Colliery v Bilsthorpe Celtic action.Thorne Colliery v Bilsthorpe Celtic action.
Thorne Colliery v Bilsthorpe Celtic action.

Leaders Clay Cross dropped two points as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Dinnington Town.

The home side led for most of the game through Tom Eccleston’s ninth minute goal, the Millers having to wait until 15 minutes from time for Shane Burton’s leveller.

On a windy afternoon at Brinsworth, a depleted Newark Town side went down to Phoenix 1-0, Rob Gorman’s goal in the 24th minute deciding the game. As a result, Newark drop to third place. Bilsthorpe now look to be in pole position as they travelled to Thorne Colliery and secured a 3-0 win thanks to two goals from Mark Carter and one by Gav King.

They side are now just three points behind Clay Cross with four games in hand.

Westella VIP reversed their recent run of late goals as they saw off Thoresby Colliery with a Mike Hewitt strike, which came as early as the third minute.

They now find themselves seven points behind the leaders and have also played four games less. Welbeck Welfare must be rueing the two penalties they conceded at Easington United as the Eastenders scraped home 3-2.

Chris Frost dispatched the spot kicks, one in each half, Kris Fitzpatrick getting the third, Welbeck’s two coming from Josh Brentnall and Levi Brentnall.

Brodsworth Welfare came out on top in their local derby with Bentley Colliery.

The game ended 2-0, Luke Flanagan and Callum Taylor with the Brodsworth goals.

Askern drew 2-2 at home to Appleby Frodingham, Danny Jones and Haydn Tomlinson scoring for Askern, Frod’s Matthew Oates getting both for his team.

The champagne will have to be put back on ice until at least Thursday for Mickleover Royals as Linby Colliery foiled them in their attempt to gain the one point needed to clinch the Black Dragon Badges South Division title.

Linby got off to the perfect start with an Aaron Ryan goal after just 47 seconds, but were pegged back by a Dan Martin penalty on the half-hour.

Kaylum Mitchell restored the advantage, but Royals almost ended on the perfect note, hitting the post in the dying seconds.

Pinxton moved back into second place after a 5-3 win at Real United.

The visitors were behind twice, but two goals from Daniel Henshaw and one each for Danny O’Donnell, Jake Vernon and Pete Stubley overcame Real, for whom Grant Ryan with two and Jamie Cross were on target.

Bulwell drop to third after dropping two points to next to bottom Southwell City, who followed their midweek win over Hucknall Rolls with another spirited performance.

City took an 11th minute lead through Stewart Gill which they held until four minutes from time, when Jay Knight grabbed the equaliser.

Sam Vickers ran in a hat-trick for Belper United as they ended Mickleover RBL’s season on a low note. Vickers put Belper two up at the break as they completed a 3-1 win to consolidate fourth place, with Rob Selby the Legion’s man on target.

Swanwick Pentrich Road had to switch their home game with Clifton All Whites to the Nottingham club’s ground, the match ending 1-1 with Matthew Phillips’ goal for the Swans being cancelled out by Clifton’s Ben Richardson.

There was another 1-1 draw at Hucknall Rolls as the home side shared the points with Eastwood Community, Kane Matthews scoring for Rolls, Eastwood profiting from an own goal.

The semi-finals of the League Cup sponsored by Abacus Lighting will feature four Southern Division teams.

Two goals in the last six minutes by Hucknall Town ended the north’s challenge as Harworth Colliery went out 2-1 at Scrooby Road.

Tommy Durrant had put the home side in front on 50 minutes, but Joe Atkinson (84 minutes) and Adam Nelson with a goal in the 90th minute saw Hucknall through to a semi-final with Belper United on 22nd April.

Clifton and Mickleover Royals will contest the other semi.

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