Saturday's Premier Division action review

A reduced fixture list in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division on Saturday saw North Ferriby United increase their advantage at the top of the table to five points after beating Stafford Rangers 2-0 at Marston Road, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Russell Fry gave the Villagers a 22nd minute lead and they held that until the last minute of normal time when Fry added his second to make sure of the points.

Nantwich Town moved into second place after becoming the latest team to hit them for five – four days after Buxton had done the same at Coronation Park.

Sean Cooke put the Dabbers in front after 29 minutes, but it wasn`t until the hour-mark that they began to pull away after Kyle Wilson made it 2-0. Lewis Short added a third just two minutes later and Casper Hughes the fourth six minutes after that, with Short making it nap with three minutes remaining. Greg Simmons netted a consolation for the Badgers two minutes from time – just as he had done on Tuesday when Buxton were also leading 5-0!

Witton Albion are now third after beating third-bottom Whitby Town 4-2 at Wincham Park.

Danny Andrews put Albion in front after 10 minutes and Ashley Stott doubled that 10 minutes later. Shane Henry reduced the arrears after 26 minutes and then Craig James surprised the hosts with an equaliser 11 minutes into the second period. Andrews restored Albion`s lead after 68 minutes and a Dave McTiernan own goal 4 minutes from time ensured victory for the home side.

Chorley are fourth and they were another side to hit five on Saturday.

Their victims were bottom-markers Frickley Athletic, who actually took the lead on eight minute through top scorer Gavin Allott. Iranian former Sheffield United striker Ahmadi Proya equalised in the 29th minute and went on to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 56th minute from the spot and then on 76 minutes. Dale Witham sandwiched one on 47 minutes and Ciaran Kilheeney added the fifth eight minutes from time.

Hednesford Town came from behind to snatch a late 3-2 win at The Meres against Grantham Town.

Paul Grimes gave the Gingerbreads an 18th minute lead that Neil Harvey cancelled out after 35 minutes. But parity lasted barely 2 minutes as Lee Potts restored the home side's lead – a lead this time they held until 14 minutes from time when Ben Bailey equalised. And then Sean O`Connor popped up with the Pitmen`s winner in the 82nd minute.

Big Tom Denton bagged a brace to help Worksop Town beat Kendal Town 3-0 at Sandy Lane.

Denton's first came three minutes before half-time and his second around the hour-mark, with strike partner Leon Mettam adding the third four minutes later.

Craig Farrell kept his cool to grab Blyth Spartans a late point at Croft Park against ninth-placed Rushall Olympic.

Mitchell Tolley had put the Pics in front from the spot in the 27th minute, and that looked like being enough until Spartans were awarded a penalty of their own just two minutes from time which Farrell duly dispatched.

The final game on Saturday saw a welcome win for Matlock Town, who leap-frogged Stocksbridge Park Steels into sixteenth place after a 3-2 win at Bracken Moor.

Nathan Joynes gave Steels a great start with a goal inside three minutes, but Joe Leesley levelled on 37 minutes for the Gladiators. Leesley then put Mark Atkins' side in front nine minutes after the break, with Adam Yates making it 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining. Chris Bettney reduced the deficit with four minutes to go, but Matlock held on for the points.