Evo-Stik Round Up - Week 12
Apologies, a little later than usual but here's Simon's weekly round up Darlington continued their recent form this week, winning in both league and cup. At the weekend we won away at Scarborough Athletic in the FA Trophy 4-0. We then picked up a vital league victory over local rivals Spennymoor Town at Heritage Park on Wednesday night. Graeme Armstrong scoring the only goal of the game inside the first minute.
One of the shock results of the season came at Kendal Town on Saturday, as they ended Salford City’s unbeaten record in the league with a 6-0 win. Salford had two players sent off during the game, which also saw Jordan Connerton score the first four goals. Keiran Walmsley and Reece Fishwick both also got on the score sheet on a memorable day for Kendal. Salford are now three points behind league leaders Darlington, although they do have two games in hand.
Kendal capped off a great week on Wednesday night, winning 5-1 away to Padiham. Martin Parkes gave Padiham the lead early in the game, however an own goal from Thomas Murphy made it 1-1 at half time. Zach Clark and Jeff King both scored in the second half, along with two from Connerton to complete the victory for Kendal who have moved into the top half of the table.
Droylsden have moved up to second place in the table after winning two league games this week. On Saturday they overcame Warrington Town, 3-1. Ciaran Kilheeney and Ben Hampson both scored for Droylsden, before Kilheeney put through his own net to make it 2-1 at HT. Ben Deegan sealed the points for The Bloods with twelve minutes to go.
Droylsden then picked up another victory at New Mills, in a game which saw both teams finish with ten men. Kilheeney, Adam Morning and Kevin Leadbetter gave Droylsden a 3-0 lead. Matthew Landregan and Porya Ahmadi scored late goals for New Mills, however Droylsden were able to hold on for the win 3-2. The Bloods are now three points behind leaders Darlington and ahead of Salford City on goal difference.
Scarborough’s bad week continued on Monday night, as they lost 3-0 away to Harrogate RA. The league’s top goal scorer, Nathan Cartman, scored twice along with a goal from Mal Farquharson. After the game Scarborough manager Rudy Funk resigned.
Harrogate RA also met Brighouse Town in the league this week. Brighouse took an early lead through Tyrone Gay, before Luke Dean levelled for Harrogate with the game finishing 1-1. Brighouse’s league game on Tuesday also ended in a 1-1 draw at home to Ossett Albion. Albion looked to have won the game late on through Kane Reece. However
Brighouse earned a point in stoppage time through a Thomas Matthews penalty.
Lancaster City picked up four points this week, as they moved within three points of the playoffs. They were held to a 2-2 draw at Ossett Albion at the weekend despite leading twice. They then comfortably won at home to Burscough in mid-week. Sam Bailey scored twice, along with goals from Ryan Winder and Aaron Taylor, in a 4-1 victory for Lancaster.
Radcliffe Borough suffered too heavy defeats this week, as they drop towards the relegation zone. On Saturday they were defeated 4-0 away to Burscough, before losing 3-0 at Prescot Cables on Tuesday.
In the final league game of the week Bamber Bridge moved up to sixth place with a win over Clitheroe 3-1. Clitheroe had taken the lead through Richard Burns, but Andrew Bell, Matthew Kay and Darren Green turned the game around for Bamber Bridge.
Many of the teams from our division were also in action in the FA Trophy in the first qualifying round. Spennymoor overcame Bamber Bridge, 3-1, thanks to goals from Michael Roberts, Andrew Stephenson and Liam Henderson.
Farsley were knocked out against Evo-Stik Premier side Blyth Spartans. Damen Mullen scored both goals for Blyth in a 2-0 win.
Clitheroe were also knocked out of the FA Trophy, 2-0 at home to Workington. Alex Salmon and Matthew Tymon scoring the goals for Workington.
Northwich Victoria managed to take Curzon Ashton to a replay, but they were knocked out on Tuesday night. Jonathan Hunt scored the only goal of the game for Curzon mid-way through the first half.
Ossett Town also were able to earn a replay against Evo-Stik Premier side, Trafford, however like Northwich they were unable to come through in the replay. After the sides had drawn the first meeting 2-2, Trafford proved too strong in the replay winning 3-0.
In an all Evo-Stik Division One tie, New Mills came flying out the blocks against Mossley to lead 3-0 at half time. Mossley did come back into the game in the second half, however New Mills were able to hold on to win 3-2 and move into the next round.
The final side in cup action were Prescot Cables, unfortunately they were knocked out of the competition, losing 4-2 at home to Goole AFC.
This coming week Darlington have another tough test away to Mossley in the league. Title rivals Salford travel to Clitheroe, while Droylsden host Lancaster City. Warrington Town will steal the headlines this week though, as they are in FA Cup first round action as they host Exeter City live on BBC.
Fixtures 8th Novemeber
Burscough v Ossett Town
Clitheroe v Salford City
Droylsden v Lancaster City
Farsley v Prescot Cables
Kendal Town v New Mills
Mossley v Darlington
Ossett Albion v Padiham
Radcliffe Borough v Harrogate RA
Scarborough Athletic v Northwich Victoria
Spennymoor Town v Bamber Bridge