Doodson Sport Cup action review

It was a busy week of Doodson Sport Cup action for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's clubs with Harrogate Railway Athletic kicking it all off on Monday night with a 7-1 mauling of Premier Division Frickley Athletic at Station View, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Frickley boss Karl Rose paid the price for fielding a much-changed team as Malachi Farquarson helped himself to four goals, Adam Baker, an own goal and surprisingly, only one for top scorer Nathan Cartman, for whom this was a 24th of the season to date.

There were a whole host of ties on Tuesday night and they also produced one or two 'upsets'.

Witton Albion can concentrate on Premier Division survival after losing 4-2 at First Division North Lancaster City`s Giant Axe – Ryan Winder bagging a brace for the Dolly Blues.

Albion's high-flying league rivals Curzon Ashton were beaten 4-3 on penalties at another First Division North outfit, Farsley AFC, following a 2-2 draw at Throstle Nest in which the hosts came back from 2-0 down to force penalties, courtesy of Kyle Hancock and Gibraltar international Adam Priestley.

First Division South Lincoln United ousted another Premier Division promotion-chaser in Buxton, winning 2-1 at Ashby Avenue, thanks to a first half Matthew Cotton double.

United's league rivals Leek Town were another side to triumph in a penalty shoot-out. Following a 1-1 draw at Amblecote against Premier Division Stourbridge, Liam Shotton's stoppage time equaliser gave the visitors the momentum to go on and win 4-2 on penalties.

Warrington Town warmed-up nicely for Sunday's televised FA Cup Second Round tie at Gateshead by beating Premier Division Workington AFC by the odd goal in five at Borough Park. Alex Newby bagged a brace for the Reds, but he was matched by James Colbeck, with Ashley Ruane scoring the Wire's winner just past the hour-mark.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, the all-First Division South tie between two promotion-chasing teams in Newcastle Town and Sutton Coldfield Town ended in a 1-1 draw at the Lyme Valley Stadium, with the Royals winning 4-3 in the shoot-out.

The all-First Division North encounter between Brighouse Town and Spennymoor Town also went to penalties after a 1-1 draw with visiting Moors triumphing 5-4.

Another all-First Division North tie saw Northwich Victoria edge past visiting Bamber Bridge 2-1, thanks to Gary Burnett and Jack Sherratt.

Spalding United emphatically won the all-First Division South tie at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields against Coalville Town, Andy Tidswell bagging two of the Tulips` goals in a 5-1 hammering of the Ravens.

In-form Ilkeston FC won the all-Premier tie at Christchurch Meadow against struggling Belper Town, courtesy of a 71st minute Mike Williams effort.

The Robins' league rivals Marine AFC won by the same scoreline at First Division North Droylsden – Joe Conchie's 27th minute goal proving decisive.

Wednesday's only tie produced a 'surprise' as Premier Division Whitby Town suffered a fourth successive defeat, losing 4-1 at their own Turnbull Ground to First Division South Sheffield FC, for whom Ashley Longstaff was on target twice.

* The draw for the third round of the competition was published at lunchtime on Thursday.

Doodson Sport Cup Third Round Draw
Farsley FC v Sheffield FC
Harrogate Railway Athletic v Spennymoor Town
Ilkeston FC v Lincoln United
Lancaster City v Marine
Ramsbottom United v Northwich Victoria
Spalding United v Barwell or Gresley FC
Stafford Rangers or Rushall Olympic v Warrington Town
Sutton Coldfield Town v Leek Town

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