Saturday's Premier Division action review

By David Watters

Blyth Spartans extended their lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division table to seven points after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Croft Park against Grantham Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Skipper Robbie Dale scored the only goal of the game for the leaders after 22 minutes in front of a crowd of 821.

Spartans` lead was increased thanks to an 88th minute equaliser for Frickley Athletic at second-placed Salford City.

A crowd of 547 saw the Ammies take a 16th minute lead through Ritchie Allen. Tom Davie levelled right on the stroke of half-time, only for Jordan Hulme to restore the hosts` lead on the hour-mark. But a second for Davie two minutes from time earned the Blues a point.

Third-placed Workington AFC`s game at Mickleover Sports was off and fourth-placed Ashton United had to make do with one point from an amazing 4-4 draw with Matlock Town at Hurst Cross.

An all-action encounter saw Ashton recover from two goals down at half-time through Niall McManus after 10 minutes and Laurie Wilson on 36 minutes. Adam Morning pulled the first goal back three minutes after the break and just two minutes later, Martin Pilkington equalised.

Morning put Ashton in front for the first time seven minutes later and Pilkington also bagged his second to make it 4-2 with 66 minutes gone on the clock. However, the visitors levelled matters up again with a brace from Joel Purkiss after 68 and 80 minutes.

Barwell occupy the final play-off spot after beating bottom-markers Ramsbottom United 2-1 at Kirkby Road.

Owen Story gave the Canaries the lead right on the stroke of half-time. But Joel Melia levelled with 17 minutes to go and it looked as though Rammy were going to return to Lancashire with a point, only for Declan Towers to pounce for Barwell`s winner a minute from time.

Darlington 1883, who possess seven games in hand on Barwell, are sixth, two points behind the Leicestershire side after winning 1-0 at Marine AFC, who now find themselves in the bottom four. Kevin Burgess scored the only goal to win it for the Quakers after 36 minutes.

Darlington moved above Nantwich Town, who were held to a 1-1 draw at the Weaver Stadium by Ilkeston FC.

Lee Ndlovu put the visitors in front six minutes before half-time before the Dabbers pulled back on level terms thanks to veteran Steve Jones with 18 minutes remaining.

Eighth-placed Stourbridge romped to their biggest win of the season against first-time visitors Hyde United to reinvigorate their promotion push.

Karl Hawley's fourth minute strike gave the Glassboys the perfect start, and spectacular goals from Chris Lait after 23 minutes and Matt Dodd after 31 minutes made it 3-0 before the break.

Justin Richards added a fourth seven minutes into the second half and Ashley Vincent notched his first goal for the club with a thunderous volley 10 minutes from time. Hyde rounded off the scoring through an equally impressive long-range effort from Ben Holmes two minutes before the end.

Whitby Town celebrated being at home for the first time in a month by moving out of the bottom four, courtesy of a 2-1 win against mid-table Halesowen Town.

It wasn`t until six minutes into the second half that the Seasiders managed to break down the Yeltz, thanks to Michael Roberts. Kaiman Anderson equalised six minutes later, only for Roberts to grab his and Whitby`s second less than two minutes on.

There was a relegation `six-pointer` at the Zeeco Arena where hosts Stamford AFC suffered a 3-2 defeat to Colwyn Bay, who slipped above them into third-bottom spot.

New signing Jack Kelleher proved to be Bay`s hero, bagging a brace in the 29th and 40th minutes. And when Liam Gibson made it 3-0 within seven minutes of the second half getting underway, it looked bleak for Graham Drury`s side.

But the Daniels, who hadn`t lost in four, fought back with new signing Paul Malone reducing the arrears on 76 minutes and then Tom McGowan making the Welsh side sweat with a second eight minutes from time. But the hosts couldn`t find a leveller.

There is only a couple of points separating Buxton and Sutton Coldfield Town in mid-table, so a 2-2 draw at Silverlands was not unexpected.

However, with the home side 2-0 up after 36 minutes through Alistair Taylor and Bradley Barraclough and heading into the final three minutes of the match, a Buxton win looked almost certain. But early leavers missed Malachi Farquharson and then Joel Kettle score to earn the Royals an unlikely point.

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Where next?

Mega Macron deal secured! EVO-STIK Northern Premier League fans and clubs are celebrating the signing their biggest-ever kit partnership deal.
Saturday's First Division North action review Warrington Town moved twelve points clear at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division North table on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Match centre

Northern Premier League - Premier
Northern Premier League - East
Northern Premier League - Midlands
Northern Premier League - West

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