EVO STIK ROUND UP WEEK 33

EVO STIK ROUND UP WEEK 33

Darlington kept up their title hopes with two crucial victories this week over the Bank Holiday week...

Darlington kept up their title hopes with two crucial victories this week over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday the side came from behind to beat Droylsden 5-2, with Nathan Cartman scoring twice. Cartman was the hero again on Monday, as he scored the winner away to Scarborough Athletic in a 2-1 win. The title remains in the Quakers hands as they hold a game in hand on Salford with four games to go.

Salford City remain top of the league by three points after winning both of their games. On Saturday they beat Spennymoor Town 2-0, who themselves had their own chance to win the title. Gareth Seddon and Daniel Webber both scored inside the first half an hour for Salford.

On Monday they won by the same score line away to struggling Radcliffe Borough. Seddon scored both of the goals in the second half for the Ammies.

Northwich Victoria are third and only require one more victory to seal a place in the play-offs.  They beat Farsley 5-1 to end the visitors own top five hopes.  Josh Amis opened the scoring for the Vics from the penalty spot, before Iain Howard doubled the lead. Lewis Nightingale pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time for Farsley. However, Howard scored his second, with Gary Burnett and Richard Bennett adding further goals for Northwich.

The Vics again won on Monday, away to Droylsden 2-0. Burnett scored the opener just before half time with Howard sealing the victory in second half stoppage time.

Spennymoor Town suffered their second loss of the week, at home to Harrogate RA. Adam Baker scored twice along with a goal from Matthew Heath as Harrogate jumped into a three goal lead. A Harry Coates own goal made the final score 3-1 to Harrogate.

Spennymoor are still in fourth position though, after they came from behind to win 3-2 away to New Mills on Wednesday. Nathan Fisher opened the scoring after just two minutes, but goals from Aaron Chalmers and Tunde Owolabi turned the game in New Mills favour before half time. Spennymoor did turn the game back around, though, with two goals in three minutes from Joe Tait and Michael Roberts.

Bamber Bridge are only behind Spennymoor on goal difference and are still holding a play-off position.  They were 3-1 winners at home to Ossett Albion at the weekend. All the goals came in the second half, with Daniel Mahoney, Regan Liney and Stuart Vasey on target for Bamber. Connor Brunt pulled a goal back in stoppage time for Albion.

Bamber Bridge were held to a draw at Burscough on Monday. They had taken an early lead through a Darren Green strike. However, Mark Beesley levelled before half time for Burscough.

Mossley are a place and six points outside the play-off places, however, they do have a game in hand on Bamber Bridge. Mossley’s top five hopes suffered a setback at Lancaster on Saturday when they were defeated 4-1.  Samuel Bailey, Aaron Taylor, Matthew Poole and Ryan Winder scored for Lancaster, with Michael Fish netting a late consolation for Mossley.

They did pick up a victory on Bank Holiday Monday though, 2-0, at home to New Mills. Thomas Pratt scored just before half time, with Andrew Keogh getting the second after the break.

Scarborough’s playoff hopes are all but mathematically over after picking up just a point from their two games this week. They found themselves 2-0 down at Prescot Cables after Jack Phillips had scored twice. Ryan Blott pulled one back for the Seadogs before Dean Lisles earned them a 2-2 draw in stoppage time.

Despite remaining bottom of the table Padiham were able to pick up three points from their two fixtures this week. On Saturday they lost 3-1 at home to Warrington Town. The Wire went 3-0 up thanks to Chris Gahgan, Ben Wharton and Robert Booth. Chappy Massamba pulled one back for Padiham.

Padiham won only their second away game of the season with a shock victory at Clitheroe 4-1. Massamba scored the first two goals with Daley Woods adding a third. Joesph Mullen pulled a goal back for Clitheroe, before Martin Trickett sealed the victory for Padiham.

Warrington Town may have left it too late to be involved in the promotion shake up, but they are finishing the season well. On Monday afternoon they won at home to Prescot Cables, 2-0. Ben Wharton scored both goals for the Wire either side of half time.

Following promotion into the division last year, Brighouse Town have given a good account of themselves and they continued to move up with the table picking up the maximum six points this week. On Saturday goals from Ryan Hall, Leon Henry and Isaac Baldwin gave them a 3-1 victory at home to Kendal Town.

They then won 1-0 away to Farsley. Ernest Boafo scoring the only goal of the game after just 12 minutes.

Harrogate RA cemented their position in the top ten in the league with two victories this week. Before their win at Spennymoor on Monday, they comfortably won at home to Burscough. Mal Farquharson, Matthew Heath and a double from Adam Baker ensured a 4-0 victory for Harrogate.

Elsewhere in the league Kendal Town and Lancaster City held each other to a 0-0 draw. Ossett Albion and Ossett Town drew 1-1 in their derby. Nicholas Matthews with the opener for Albion, which was cancelled out by Steven Jeff.

Unfortunately the game on Saturday between Ossett Town and Radcliffe Borough was abandoned due to a serious injury five minutes from full time to Borough player Reece Welsh. The game had been level at 1-1, but will now be replayed.

This weekend Darlington look to stay in control of their own destiny at home to play-off chasing Mossley.  Elsewhere Salford City host mid-table Clitheroe.

 

Fixtures 11/04/2015

Bamber Bridge v Spennymoor Town

Brighouse Town v Warrington Town

Darlington v Mossley

Harrogate RA v Radcliffe Borough

Lancaster City v Droylsden

New Mills v Kendal Town

Northwich Victoria v Scarborough Athletic

Ossett Town v Burscough

Padiham v Ossett Albion

Prescot Cables v Farsley

Salford City v Clitheroe