New Year's Day First Division South action review

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South leaders Sutton Coldfield Town completed a league `double` over tenants Romulus on New Year`s Day to remain a point in front of Mickleover Sports, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Luke Keen gave the `home` Roms a 14th minute lead that Justin Richards eventually levelled from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to go. Seven minutes from time, Scott Lycett won it for the Royals.

Mickleover inflicted a first home defeat of the season on neighbours Gresley FC in style, hammering the ten-man Moatmen 6-1 in front of 436.

Andy Dales gave Sports a 14th minute lead but the first half dismissal of Mitch Hanson after being shown a straight red card for a tackle on Karl Demidh deemed reckless left the Moatmen facing 45 minutes a man down.

Liam Walshe duly added a second for the visitors on 57 minutes, only for Martin Smyth to reduce the arrears five minutes later.
But Sports were not to be stopped and Chris Palmer on 65 minutes, Simeon Oshoboke on 77, Walshe again six minutes later and Ashley Grayson in injury-time, made it 6-1.

Third-placed Newcastle Town were held at home by neighbours Norton United, but fourth and fifth-placed sides Spalding United and Stafford Rangers both won.

Tom Fogg`s penalty gave Norton a 12th minute lead at the Lyme Valley Stadium, but goals from Tim Sanders after 22 minutes and Josh Gordon just shy of the hour gave Castle the lead that Michael Lennon levelled nine minutes from the end.

Spalding eased past Carlton Town 3-0 at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields with goals from Andy Tideswell after 18 minutes and then Jamie Thurlbourne and Tidswell again in the final 12 minutes.

A goal right on the half-time whistle from Dan Cope eventually proved enough for Stafford at Marston Road against fellow contenders Leek Town in front of a day`s best crowd of 688.

Danny Ashton after 16 minutes and Chris Field just past the hour-mark saw Tividale to a 2-0 home win over neighbours Chasetown, while Billy Law scored an 88th minute equaliser to salvage a point for Goole AFC at home against Lincoln United, whose Matthew Cotton had given them a 54th minute lead.

And the derby between Loughborough Dynamo and Coalville Town also ended all-square at 2-2 in which Jake Woolley put the Ravens into a 21st minute lead.

However, Carl Sibson on 45 minutes and Matt Langham on the hour-mark, turned the game in Dyamo`s favour before Nathan Watson levelled with 18 minutes remaining.