Tuesday's Premier Division action review

By David Watters

There were some crucial matches in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division on Tuesday night and none more so than at in-form Frickley Athletic who hosted second-placed Darlington 1883, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Quakers, with games in hand over leaders Blyth Spartans, were looking to move to within four points of the top of the table but suffered a 3-1 defeat at the SW Jackson Utilities Stadium – their first in nine matches.

It could have been so much different though as the Quakers missed a fourth minute penalty awarded when Bailey Gooda handled a cross from Terry Galbraith. Galbraith sent the keeper the wrong way but the referee awarded a re-take because of encroachment and the normally reliable Galbraith put the second attempt over the top.

The visitors did take the lead though after 31 minutes through Graeme Armstrong. Eight minutes after the break Frickley levelled through Tyler Williams and 20 minutes later Tom Davie put the Blues in front. Then in front of a crowd of 740, Jacob Hazel confirmed victory with a third goal seven minutes from time.

Salford City are just a point behind Darlington but have only three games left after beating fourth-placed Ashton United 3-0 at Hurst Cross.

Jordan Hulme gave the Ammies an early sixth minute lead that Jamie Poole doubled nine minutes later. Danny Webber`s effort 10 minutes into the second half confirmed victory for the visitors, leaving the hosts just a point in front of sixth-placed Workington AFC.

At the opposite end of the table, second-bottom Colwyn Bay suffered a morale-sapping 5-0 defeat at Coles Lane against mid-table Sutton Coldfield Town, a result that leaves them seven points adrift of the safety-mark with five games remaining.

Dan O`Callaghan gave the Royals a sixth minute lead that Bay held them at until 17 minutes from time. But a depleted visiting side conceded four in the last quarter through Aaron Forde, O`Callaghan and a Jean-Michel Gueyes brace.

Ramsbottom United were put out of their misery after losing 2-0 at Matlock Town, two goals in the opening 10 minutes from Niall McManus and Danny Holland proving enough to send Rammy down.

Two teams hovering just above the drop zone, Marine AFC and Mickleover Sports, shared a six-goal draw at the Arriva Stadium.

The Mariners, who started the evening a point above their visitors and six in front of the bottom four, found themselves 2-0 down to goals from Zeph Thomas after 27 minutes and Nyambu Dinanga a minute before the break.

Charlie Barnett reduced the arrears seven minutes into the second half, only for Sports to go 3-1 up through Dinanga again on 63 minutes. But the Mariners earned what could prove to be a crucial point with goals from Andy Nicholas after 69 minutes and Andy Owens nine minutes from time.

Tuesday`s other game saw a similar result at the Weaver Stadium between two teams now with little but pride and final placings to play for, Nantwich Town and Rushall Olympic.

The Dabbers led with goals from Liam Shotton after 18 minutes and Elliot Osborne on 22 minutes. The Pics battled back to reduce the arrears through Jake Heath on 70 minutes, only for Matty Bell to make it 3-1 with 13 minutes left.

But a Luke Benbow brace in the final six minutes – the first from the spot – earned the visitors a point.

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