Saturday's First Division South review

By David Watters

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South

Leaders Halesowen Town`s game at Sheffield FC was one of only four to fall foul of the awful weather on Saturday in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division South but Leek Town surrendered second-placed after losing at fourth-placed Belper Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The reliable Jon Froggatt converted a 65th minute penalty to win it for the Nailers at Christchurch Meadow.

Leek lost second spot to Coalville Town, who beat much-changed Goole AFC by the same scoreline at Owen Street, courtesy of a 58th minute Andy Hutchinson effort.

Sutton Coldfield Town's game on the 3G at Coles Lane was always going to be on and they moved into fifth after beating fellow play-off hopefuls Scarborough Athletic 2-1.

It took until the 56th minute for the Royals to break Boro down when Joel Kettle scored and Gary Hay doubled their advantage on 66 minutes. The prolific Gary Bradshaw reduced the arrears with 17 minutes to go, but the home side held on for the points.

Sutton Coldfield`s ground tenants Romulus also earned three big points when they beat another top five rival, Newcastle Town, 4-2 at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

Dan O`Callaghan gave Roms an 18th minute lead that Jordan Cole cancelled out in the 34th minute. Two minutes later and O`Callaghan had restored the visitors` lead before Tom Turton added a third two minutes after that. Cole emulated O`Callaghan by pulling a second back for Castle just before the break, but O`Callaghan went one better to complete his hat-trick and confirm victory with eight minutes remaining.

Carlton Town, who are still in with a shout of mounting a top five challenge as they have games in hand, will be disappointed to have only managed one point from their trip to third-bottom Kidsgrove Athletic.

The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot on 58 minutes when Ruben Wiggins-Thomas converted after he had been dragged to the floor by Paul Taylor. Matty Haddrell scored from the spot six minutes from time to level after Josh Thornton brought down substitute D`Reece Gardner and as last man earned himself a red card in the process.

Visitors Market Drayton Town scored twice in the last five minutes to snatch a point in an entertaining draw at the Hawthorns against Brigg Town.

The Zebras led 2-0 at half-time after a double from Jordan Thewlis on 12 minutes from the spot and on the half-hour mark but couldn't add to the lead in the second half and were made to pay by Yannick Makota's two late goals.

But the most incredible match took place at Ashby Avenue between two lower table sides Lincoln United and Loughborough Dynamo – with the visitors edging an eleven goal thriller!

A real see-saw encounter saw Dynamo go 2-0 up through a Martin Bowles brace in the 19th and 34th minute. United responded to pull level through Jack Barnett on 35 minutes and Danny Brooks from the penalty spot in the 42nd.

But Dynamo went into the break in front, thanks to Rob Norris` penalty right on the whistle. A minute into the second period Dynamo went 4-2 up, courtesy of a Stuart Reddington own goal, only for Bruno Holden to pull a third back for the hosts two minutes later. And then Andy Toyne took over spot-kick duties to pull United level in the 58th minute.

Jordan Lemon then gave them the lead for the first time in the match ten minutes later to make it 5-4 but Jarrod Westcarr on 77 minutes pulled the visitors level and then in stoppage time of an extraordinary game, Kris Nurse grabbed Dynamo's winner!

Where next?

Double kings first to be crowned Evo-Stik NPL Club of the Month Awards
Saturday's Premier Division review Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division

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