Boxing Day's First Division North review

By David Watters

EVO-STIK NPL First Division North

Northwich Victoria maintained their one-point lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division Northtable after a comfortable 3-0 home win over fourth-placed Droylsden, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Richard Bennett gave the Vics an 11th minute lead that Gary Burnett added to nine minutes later. Bennett`s second of the game in the 71st minute sealed victory.

Second-placed Darlington 1883 attracted a terrific crowd of 1,382 for their game at Heritage Park against play-off chasing Scarborough Athletic and rewarded them with a 3-0 success.

Graeme Armstrong gave the Quakers an early seventh minute lead but it wasn`t until 20 minutes from the end that they managed to notch a second from Adam Mitchell, with Armstrong making sure with his second and Darlo's third five minutes from time.

Salford City remain level on points with Darlington after beating neighbours Radcliffe Borough 2-1 at Moor Lane.

But they had to come back from being a 62nd minute Richard Smith goal down to win, courtesy of a Sam Madeley brace after 66 and 75 minutes.

Bamber Bridge complete the top five after they beat mid-table Burscough by the same scoreline at Irongate.

Glenn Steel gave Brig a 39th minute lead that Stuart Vasey eventually doubled 15 minutes from time before Mark Beesley caused a nervy finale when he pulled the Linnets back in the game with a couple of minutes remaining.

Farsley AFC missed the chance to move into the top five when they were beaten 1-0 at Brighouse Town in the Yorkshire derby won by Billy Law`s 25th minute effort.

Harrogate Railway and Spennymoor Town are also on the fringes of the play-off race, but neither would perhaps have welcomed one point.

However, after holding onto Liam Henderson`s 12th minute goal for Moors until the 88th minute when Nathan Cartman levelled, Rail will probably be the happier.

Bottom-markers Padiham were beaten for the nineteenth time as they lost 3-2 at home to Clitheroe, whose Sefton Gonzales bagged a brace in the 11th and 27th minutes – player boss Simon Garner winning it just past the hour-mark after Robbie Bromley and Mark Sharples had reduced the arrears.

A crowd of 314 saw the Ossett derby go the way of Albion at Ingfield, a Nick Wood own goal after 28 minutes and then second half goals from Kane Reece and Connor Bower earning Albion bragging rights.

Second-bottom New Mills suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Mossley AFC, who were gifted a 16th minute Danny Grimshaw own goal and then added to that with goals from Sam Robinson just before the break and Matty Purcell on 70 minutes – Grimshaw scoring at the right end in injury-time.

And Kendal Town moved above hosts Lancaster City after a 3-2 Giant Axe victory in which two ex-Dolly Blues, Jordan Connerton and Richard Mercer, gave the Mintcakes a 2-0 interval lead that Josh Draycott and Gavin Clark cancelled out in the second period.

But Connerton`s second from the spot in the 76th minute won it for Mike Stringfellow`s side.

Where next?

Saturday's Transfer List EVO-STIK Northern Premier League
Boxing Day's Premier Division review EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division

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