Saturday's Premier Division action review

Saturday's EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division fixtures were hit by two abandonments and a postponement, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Floodlight failure put an end to struggling Marine AFC`s home game with second-placed Curzon Ashton at half-time. Frustratingly for the second-bottom Mariners, they were leading 2-0 at the time!

Rushall Olympic’s match against Frickley Athletic at Dales Lane was abandoned after 84 minutes due to a bad injury to Pics debutant Sam Brooks. The game was all square at 1-1 at the time with the hosts down to ten-men after Mitchell Tolley had been dismissed.

And all that followed FC United of Manchester`s 'debut' at Curzon's Tameside Stadium against Barwell being called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

It ended up being a decent day for Curzon though as leaders Skelmersdale United suffered a 2-0 defeat at The Grove against mid-table Halesowen Town, Joe Kettle proving to be the Yeltz hero by bagging a brace in the third and fourth minutes.

And third-placed Buxton, who could have overtaken Curzon with a win at the Weaver Stadium against lowly Nantwich Town, could only manage a 1-1 draw in which Aaron Burns gave the Dabbers an early fifth minute lead that Shaun Tuton eventually cancelled out in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Fourth-placed Ilkeston FC also dropped two points as they too were held to a 1-1 draw at the New Manor Ground by struggling Witton Albion.

Jamie Rainford broke the deadlock to give Albion the lead 10 minutes into the second half. But David Morgan rescued the Robins with a 70th minute equaliser.

Ashton United were the only team in the top five to win, but they were really made to sweat at Hurst Cross by bottom-markers Belper Town.

It was a real see-saw encounter that had Bruno Holden putting the Nailers in front after 12 minutes, only for Lee Rick to level within two minutes. Ashton then raced into a 3-1 lead with strikes from Chris Baguley after 32 minutes and Sam Wilson three minutes later.

Belper battled back though and pulled back to level with goals from Ashley Burbeary on the hour-mark and then a Sam Wilson own goal 10 minutes later. However, young sub Josh Steadman won it for the hosts with an 82nd minute first senior goal.

Workington AFC are sixth after beating Stamford AFC 2-0 at Borough Park.

The Daniels` long journey saw them go into half-time at 0-0, only for Matty Tymon to give the Reds the lead immediately after the restart. Conor Tinnion then doubled the home side`s lead on 67 minutes.

King`s Lynn Town are back in the play-off picture after edging out fellow contenders Ramsbottom United 2-1 at The Walks.

A decent crowd of 510 saw Grant Spencer's 17th minute effort keep Rammie in front until seven minutes into the second period when Michael Frew equalised. And Frew won it for the Linnets with less than four minutes remaining.

Blyth Spartans, playing catch-up due to their FA Cup heroics, are still in top five contention, despite currently being in sixteenth place. And on Saturday they showed just why they are contenders after dishing out a 7-1 hammering on ninth-placed Grantham Town at The Meres.

Joel Dixon after 10 minutes, Ryan Hutchinson five minutes later, Nathan Buddle right on half-time, Scott Hellewell`s own goal two minutes after the restart and Danny Maguire three minutes later already had Spartans 5-1 up – Paul Grimes having netted for the hosts on 31 minutes – when Grantham had Ben Fairclough sent-off after 53 minutes for a reckless tackle on Alex Nicholson.

Maguire added his second and Blyth`s sixth on 71 minutes and Dan Hawkins made it 7-1 in time added on to make it six successive wins for the visitors.

Whitby Town damaged Stourbridge`s play-off hopes with a 1-0 win at the Turnbull Ground, courtesy of an injury-time Steve Snaith effort.

Trafford, who started the day in second-bottom spot, moved up a place and pulled Matlock Town back towards trouble after completing a 4-2 win at Causeway Lane.

Steve Mason put the visitors in front after just six minutes and Shelton Payne netted his first nine minutes later. But two goals in two minutes midway through the first half from Ellis Humble and Lawrence Gorman pulled the Gladiators back on terms. However, two in four minutes from Payne to complete his hat-trick in the 64th and 68th minutes sealed Trafford's win.