Tuesday's First Division South review

By David Watters

Switched Witton Albion, along with Shaw Lane AFC and Newcastle Town, made it two wins from the opening two matches of the new EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South season on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Tolani Omotola after 14 minutes, Rob Hopley after 25 minutes and Prince Haywood two minutes later were all on target for Witton – switched from the EVO-STIK NPL First Division North - at Wincham Park against a Kidsgrove Athletic side who also lost their opener.

Sheffield FC have now also lost both games as Shaw Lane won 2-0 at home, thanks to Gavin Allott just after the break and Kieran Lugsden 10 minutes from time.

Newcastle won 3-1 at Christchurch Meadow against a Belper Town side who had won last Saturday.

Lee Cropper gave Castle an early eighth minute lead that Jordan Cole added to just three minutes later. Phil Watt pulled the Nailers back into the contest four minutes later, only for Chris Baker to add Castle`s third seven minutes after the break.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are finding things tough since being switched from the EVO-STIK Southern Division One Central and even an evening`s best crowd of 461 couldn`t help them avoid losing 3-1 at the Dog & Duck to Chasetown.

Despite taking a 35th minute lead through Liam Dolman, the Scholars won, thanks to James Dance on 42 minutes, Nathan Rooney from the spot on 64 minutes and Ryan Wynter 20 minutes from the end.

Stocksbridge Park Steels are also win-less after going down 2-1 at Bracken Moor to Gresley FC, for whom Pearson Mwanyongo from the spot and Tendai Chitiza were the second half scorers.

There were first wins for Leek Town, Spalding United, neighbours Stamford AFC and Bedworth United.

Leek edged out opening day winners Market Drayton Town 3-2 at Harrison Park, with Chris Budrys, Toby Mullarkey and Tim Grice outgunning Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham and Will Whieldon for the visitors.

The Tulips won 2-0 at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields against Carlton Town with loanees Cenk Acar and Bradley Wells the second half scorers.

The Daniels secured a 2-1 win at Butlin Road against Rugby Town, coming back from being a 67th minute David Kolodynski goal down to win through a Jevani Brown brace on 72 and 89 minutes.

Dan Creaney scored all three in the 24th, 81st and 84th minutes for Bedworth in their 3-0 win at Loughborough Dynamo.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/

Where next?

Tuesday's Premier Division review Relegated Hednesford Town, Workington AFC, Buxton and Marine AFC all made it two wins from the opening two games of the new EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division season, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Henderson collects top turf titles Green-fingered Blyth Spartans stalwart Peter Henderson is the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's 2016 Groundsmen of the Year.

Match centre

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

The Pitching In Northern Premier League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe