Premier Round-up: Farsley are champions as Marine go down

There were contrasting emotions at the end, as results elsewhere meant Marine were relegated from the Premier Division, ending a 40-year stint in the league and the first relegation in the club’s 125-year history.


Goals from Will Hayhurst and Jimmy Spencer secured Celtic a comfortable afternoon, when a point would have been enough to win the title.


After losing in the play-offs last season in their first season back at step three, Farsley will now go up to step two, from which the old Farsley dropped out of in 2009/10.

South Shields secured second spot and the potentially crucial home play-off final, if they get there, with a 1-0 win at Gainsborough Trinity, which ended the Holy Blues’ play-off hopes.

Trinity needed to better Buxton’s result, though a defeat meant Buxton’s 2-2 draw with Warrington Town was enough to secure fifth spot.

Responsible for the drama at the bottom of the table were Mickleover Sports, who came from behind with two goals in the last 16 minutes to win 2-1 at Bamber Bridge and complete a miraculous escape.

Marine had started the day knowing a point would likely be enough due to the goal difference swing, and even with a defeat it would need both Mickleover and Stalybridge to win.

But their nightmares came true, Stalybridge after six straight defeats scraped a decisive 1-0 win at home to Grantham Town, Andrew Scot the hero.

Elsewhere, Nantwich prepared for the play-offs on the wrong side of a 10-goal game at Basford, who won 7-3.

Liam Hearn, in his first match since a new permanent manager was appointed, scored four goals to remind the club of his prowess as a player ahead of the summer.

Lancaster came from behind to beat Whitby Town 2-1 and Kieran Wells struck late to earn Hednesford Town a draw at Witton Albion.

Matlock’s torrid end to the season continued with a 4-1 defeat at Stafford Rangers, which meant they finished above the Gladiators in the table.

Scarborough rounded off their first season back in step three with a 5-1 home win over relegated Workington, with James Walshaw scoring a goal two minutes from time that meant he shared the golden boot with Bamber Bridge’s Alistair Waddecar.

To view all the results from the weekend’s games, visit the EVO-STIK League results page, and check the latest league tables here.