Bank Holiday Monday's Premier review

The competitiveness of the Evo-Stik NPL's Premier Division this season can be judged by the fact that after just four games, no team now has a 100 per cent record, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Ashton United, Blyth Spartans, Chorley, Marine and Whitby Town are yet to taste defeat in the 2013-14 campaign, however.

Ashton beat a struggling Droylsden outfit who have taken just one point at the lower level following relegation from the Conference North last May. But it was the visitors who drew first `blood` in this Tameside derby when Domingos Silveiro put them ahead inside three minutes.

Chris Denham quickly equalised four minutes later and then two goals in three minutes from Joe O`Neill and Lee Rick put the hosts in command by the 18th minute. And Gary Gee rounded things off with a fourth for Ashton around the hour-mark.

Chorley enjoyed a good 1-0 win at fancied AFC Fylde, where a 24th minute Darren Stephenson effort silenced the home section in the 588 crowd.

Marine and Whitby both drew. The Mariners had the boost of taking the lead from the penalty spot right on half-time at home against newly-promoted neighbours Skelmersdale United. And then immediately afterwards Dean Astbury doubled their advantage. But Dale Wright reduced the deficit in the 56th minute and then Zach Hibbert pounced for a last-gasp equaliser for Skem, belting home a thunderbolt from 15 yards five minutes into overtime.

At Whitby Town, Jake Picton and Mark Gray scored late goals to see Frickley Athletic come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. The home side scored twice in quick succession through Graeme Armstrong in the 65th and Tom Portas in the 66th before Picton pulled a goal back on 74 minutes and Gray equalised on 85 minutes.

Stafford Rangers are still point-less after four games. They were beaten 2-0 at Dales Lane by neighbours Rushall Olympic, for whom much-travelled striker Dele Adebola opened his account for the Pics after just five minutes. Ahmed Obeng added a second 14 minutes from time to wrap up the points.

Witton Albion, however, are finally off the mark after winning by the same scoreline at the Weaver Stadium against Nantwich Town. Kyle Wilson put Albion ahead in the 23rd minute and they made sure of victory with Josh Hancock`s penalty after 63 minutes.

Buxton had two players sent-off in a two minute spell and just failed to hold on against Ilkeston FC at Silverlands. Lee Morris had given the Bucks the lead after 11 minutes but he then became one of two, along with Scott Maxfield, to see red in the second half. It looked like the Bucks would hang on but quickfire goals in the 93rd and 94th minutes from Gary Ricketts earned the Robins the points.

Luke Barlone gave Barwell a 43rd minute lead from the penalty spot at home against newly-promoted King`s Lynn Town. Dan Jacob equalised just past the hour-mark and then the Linnets won it in the final six minutes, thanks to a George Thomson penalty and Jacob again.

Grantham Town won the Lincolnshire derby at Kettering Road against Stamford AFC. A decent crowd of 432 saw Richard Jones put the home side in front after less than six minutes. Adie Hawes levelled seven minutes before half-time and then two minutes after the break Paolo Piliero scored what proved to be the Gingerbreads winner.

Worksop Town twice came back from behind to beat Matlock Town 4-2 at Sandy Lane. Corey Gregory put the Gladiators in front after 26 minutes, only for Tom Denton to equalise from the spot on the half-hour mark. But a minute before the interval Daryll Thomas restored the visitors lead, also from the spot. However, Denton again on the hour, Shaquille McKenzie four minutes later and Jack Muldoon from the spot 19 minutes from time, completed the Tigers' victory.

FC United of Manchester helped Trafford attract a crowd of 1,374 to Shawe View and also came back to win in a thriller by the odd goal in five. Astley Mulholland gave FC United a 33rd minute lead that goals from Shelton Payne just after the break, and Michael Oates on 58 minutes, turned over. But Matty Walwyn equalised 13 minutes from time and then Tom Greaves bagged the winner in time added on.

Blyth Spartans also left it late to earn a point from their trip to Bracken Moor to take on Stocksbridge Park Steels. Chris Bettney had given Steels a 29th minute lead that they held right until the 90th minute when Rob Nolan equalised – ironic given that Spartans were denied a win at home against Worksop by a 90th minute leveller on Saturday!