Saturday's First Division South action review

There were only seven games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney, but they produced thirty-nine goals!

Leaders Coalville Town's home game against Belper Town was one of four that were postponed, and second-placed Stamford AFC took full advantage to cut the big deficit at the top of the table to 'just' ten points.

The Daniels were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Kettering Road against Northwich Victoria.

Stamford ran out 5-3 winners, thanks to goals from Jake Gibson after 11 minutes, Danny Brooks five minutes later, Tom Batchelor three minutes before the break, Ricky Miller five minutes after it and Gregg Smith 12 minutes from time. Alex Taylor had given Vics a fifth minute lead and they scored two more late on through Kevin Leadbetter and Joe Bunney. Both sides also finished the game with ten-men.

Sutton Coldfield Town also hit five at Coles Lane against Rainworth Miners Welfare to move into third place.

Mark Danks gave the Royals a ninth minute lead that Keiran Walker cancelled out eight minutes later. Kristian Ramsey-Dickson restored the home side's lead six minutes after that and then Luke Chapman added a third right on half-time. Daryl Taylor on 53 minutes and Danks again 10 minutes later completed the scoring and a 5-1 success for Sutton Coldfield.

Gresley FC occupy the final play-off spot after edging out Chasetown by the odd goal in seven at The Scholars.

Gresley found themselves three goals up by the 50-minute mark through Ryan Walker, Gareth Langford and Jordan Nadat but had to hang on for all three points as Chasetown fought back in the second half. Danny Smith bagged a brace for the Scholars and Nick Wellecomme the other.

Leek Town were another side to go nap at Harrison Park against second-bottom Romulus.

Tim Grice and a Matty Haddrell brace had the hosts three-up by the half-hour mark. Marcus Brown pulled one back for Roms three minutes later but Danny Smith added a fourth just before the break and then Dan Cope the fifth six minutes from time.

Carlton Town's play-off hopes took a blow when they were beaten at home by Loughborough Dynamo, whose Danny Davidson gave them a ninth minute lead.

Matt Varley's penalty restored parity five minutes later but Reece Lester's spot-kick for Dynamo a minute before half-time eventually proved enough.

Halesowen Town also suffered a knock to their top five hopes by losing 3-2 at lowly Mickleover Sports, who sacked long-serving manager Dick Pratley in the week.

Kieran O'Connell gave the home side the lead on the half-hour mark but Ben Haseley immediately cancelled that out. Rob Ritchie-Smith restored Sports' lead on 48 minutes and Alex Steadman added a third on 65 minutes. And although Haseley replied almost straight away again for the Yeltz, they were unable to find a leveller.

Brigg Town moved into tenth place after a 3-1 win against Kidsgrove Athletic at the Hawthorns.

Josh Davies after six minutes, Danny Buttle on 21 and Ryan Packzkowski from the spot 10 minutes from time scored for Brigg against the spirited visitors, who played the entire match with only ten players after a car load of their team failed to arrive at the ground. Liam Shotton netted their consolation.