Evo-Stik Round-Up 31

Evo-Stik Round-Up 31

Darlington are only a point behind league leaders Blyth Spartans after two wins this week from poten...

Darlington are only a point behind league leaders Blyth Spartans after two wins this week from potentially tricky fixtures. On Saturday the side ground out a 1-0 win at home to Rushall Olympic thanks to a goal from Captain Kevin Burgess.

The Quakers then won impressively at Nantwich Town, 5-0, on Tuesday night. Nathan Cartman and Terry Galbraith both scored twice along with a goal from Graeme Armstrong.

Blyth Spartans remain top of the league after their latest win at home to Matlock Town. Nathan Buddle scored the only goal of the game for Blyth after 63 minutes.

Nantwich Town were knocked out of the FA Trophy at the semi-final stage despite earning a 2-2 draw in their second leg at FC Halifax Town. Jordan Burrows put Halifax in front, but goals from Liam Shotton and Matthew Bailey gave Nantwich hope of an unlikely turn around. However, an Andrew White own goal late on earned the hosts a draw and a 6-4 win on aggregate.

Salford City beat Sutton Coldfield Town, 2-0, to stay in third place. Danny Webber opened the scoring for the Ammies, with James Poole doubling their lead.

Playoff hopefuls Workington and Stourbridge held each other to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.  Sean Geedes gave Stourbridge the lead in the first half, with Joseph McGee earning a point for the hosts.

Workington are in fourth place, however, after coming from behind to win at Mickleover Sports on Tuesday night. John McGrath had given Mickleover the lead, but two goals from Scott Allison saw Workington come away with a 2-1 victory.

Another two playoff hopefuls also met at Barwell, where they faced Ashton United.  Martin Pilkington scored the only goal of the game for Ashton just after half time.

On Tuesday Ashton United picked up a huge victory away to Stourbridge to move above them in the league table. Goals from Christopher Baguley and James Dean put Ashton in control by half-time. Brian Smikle pulled one back for Stourbridge, but Ashton were able to hold on for a 2-1 win.

At the other end of the table Mickleover Sports picked up a win over bottom of the table Ramsbottom United.  Jake Green, Niall Thompson and Nyambu Diananga scored the goals for Mickleover in a 3-1 win. Alexander Meaney scored Ramsbottom’s consolation.

Colwyn Bay suffered defeat at home to Grantham Town. Lee Shaw scored the only goal of the game for Grantham after 25 minutes.

However, Colwyn were able to win a dramatic five goal thriller at home to Buxton with all the goals coming in the second half. Bradley Barraclough had given Buxton the lead, before Adam Morgan levelled. Gregory Young regained the lead for Buxton with 17 minutes left, but two goals in two minutes from Carl Lamb saw Colwyn win the game 3-2.

Stamford have dropped into the bottom three after they were held to a 0-0 draw with Marine.

Marine picked up another point at Ramsbottom on Tuesday night. Aaron Smith had given Ramsbottom the lead, only for Lewis Codling to equalise seven minutes later.

Whitby Town moved out of the relegation zone with victory at home to Buxton on Saturday. Michael Roberts scored the only goal of the game for Whitby from the penalty spot right at the death.

Whitby then picked up another point away to Skelmersdale United, as the two sides drew 0-0.

Hyde United aren’t safe from relegation yet, after they were held at home by Skelmersdale United.  Christopher Almond gave Skelmersdale the lead, but Samuel Fitton earned a point for Hyde just two minutes later.

Hyde then drew at home to Rushall Olympic on Monday night. Scott Spencer gave Hyde the lead from the penalty spot, but goals from Alex Reid and Andrew Brown put Rushall 2-1 ahead. However, Laurence Bell earned a 2-2 draw for Hyde in the 64th minute.

Halesowen Town won 3-1 away to Ilkeston FC. Kaiman Anderson scored a double and Ashley Parsons- Smith made it 3-0 to Halesowen at half-time. Dexter Atkinson pulled one goal back for Ilkeston, but it was only a consolation.

This Bank Holiday weekend Darlington play twice, at home to Halesowen Town on Saturday, before travelling to Whitby Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

Fixtures 26th March

Ashton United v Ilkeston FC

Darlington v Halesowen Town

Frickley Athletic v Colwyn Bay

Marine v Grantham Town

Matlock Town v Skelmersdale United

Mickleover Sports v Hyde United

Nantwich Town v Barwell

Salford City v Whitby Town

Stamford v Blyth Spartans

Stourbridge v Buxton

Sutton Coldfield Town v Ramsbottom United

Workington v Rushall Olympic