Premier Division Round-up: JJ Hooper moves South Shields three points clear at the top

The league leaders faced stern opposition from the Dabbers, who, despite sitting in 20th place, gained an early lead thanks to Sean Cooke’s converted penalty 15 minutes in.

The situation would only get worse for Kevin Phillip’s side as Jacob Bickerstaffe doubled Nantwich’s lead just 9 minutes later.

After regrouping at half-time, the Mariners pushed to claw back a result from the game. The pressure tolled on Nantwich when JJ Hooper converted from close-range, halving the deficit.

Hooper would punish Nantwich again three minutes later, scoring a header, bringing the game to 2-2.

South Shields’ hero claimed the match ball just 8 minutes before the full-time whistle, scoring his second header and putting the Mariners in control to take all three points.

However, he was not done there and scored his fourth of the game on the 88th minute mark, pulling the Mariners three points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Second placed Buxton were left frustrated by a strong defensive performance from Atherton Collieries. Diego De Girolamo almost broke the deadlock from 30 yards out but the Colls held out for their first point in three games.

Seventh place took on third place in the clash between FC United and Matlock Town, with FC United aiming to push for a spot in the play-offs while Matlock needed to keep up the pressure on the top two.

FC United took the lead early on thanks to Alistair Waddecar who slotted home after 7 minutes.

When it seemed as though Matlock would travel back to Derbyshire empty handed, a 90th minute penalty, converted by Alex Bryne, would give the Gladiators a point. FC United are now without a win in four games, leaving them four points adrift off of a play-off position.

Meanwhile, Warrington Town cemented their place in the play-offs this weekend as they saw off Morpeth Town 3-1 at Cantilever Park.

The Highwaymen would be forced to play an outfield player in net for the remainder of the second half, following Dan Lowson’s red card just one minute before the interval.

Nevertheless, Morpeth gained the upper-hand through Andrew Johnson, but a Sean Williams penalty and a Josh Amis brace turned the tide for the Yellows, who now have a three point advantage on their closest rivals Whitby.

Fourth placed Scarborough Athletic moved level on points with Matlock Town after a 90th minute Luca Colville goal gave the Seadogs all three points away at Mickleover, ending their impressive 5-game-win-streak.

Whitby Town also saw success at home against Bamber Bridge, with a 2-0 victory, giving the Blues their first win in six games, while Bamber Bridge remained in 8th place.

Elsewhere in the league, Lancaster City’s poor run continued as they fell to a 3-1 defeat away to Gainsborough. The Dolly Blues have now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Premier Division.

Stafford Rangers extended their lead over Morpeth Town to four points in the table with a 2-0 win at home to Stalybridge Celtic.

A Tyreace Palmer goal before half-time was enough to give Basford all three points away to Hyde United allowing them to leapfrog Stalybridge in the table to 13th place, while Ashton United came away with a 2-0 victory over Radcliffe as a result of two first-half goals.

A bottom of the table clash between Grantham Town and Witton Albion resulted in a spirited fightback from the Albs, who found themselves 2-0 down after 33 minutes.

A crucial Joshua Wardle goal 5 minutes before the interval and a second-half Robert Hopley brace meant that the Gingerbreads suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat. Witton are now level on 30 points with the Dabbers in 20th place, while Grantham are stuck in the basement of the league on 23 points.

Photo credits: Kev Wilson