Wednesday's Premier Division action review

Tuesday night saw EVO-STIK League's Premier Division leaders Stamford AFC lose their 100 per cent start to the season in comprehensive fashion when hey lost 4-0 at home to Ilkeston FC, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Luke Shaw gave the Robins a ninth minute lead that Rob Duffy doubled after 24 minutes. And the visitors went into the break three-up when Kane Richards added a third seven minutes before the whistle. Che Adams made it 4-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Curzon Ashton maintained their unbeaten start on Monday, as did Skelmersdale United and FC United of Manchester 24 hours later.

Like Curzon, Skem could only manage a draw though, held 1-1 at home by Ashton United, whose Saul Henderson gave them a 53rd minute lead that Danny Mitchley cancelled out from the penalty spot on 77 minutes.

FC United won 1-0 at Croft Park against Blyth Spartans, courtesy of a 32nd minute Joe Fox effort in front of a crowd of 623.

Newly-promoted Belper Town are languishing in twentieth spot, but have lost only one of their six matches.

Their fifth draw came at Christchurch Meadow against King`s Lynn Town in a see-saw encounter. Colin Marrison gave the Nailers a sixth minute lead that David Bell cancelled out right on half-time.

David Bridges then gave the Linnets the lead just before the hour-mark and Kieran Wells levelled 13 minutes from time. But George Thompson restored the visitors` lead on 83 minutes and up popped Jon Froggatt to grab a point for the Nailers in stoppage time.

Barwell earned their first win of the season, 3-1 at home against ten-man Rushall Olympic.

The Pics cause wasn't helped when young full-back, Liam Smith was sent-off after just 24 minutes for kicking out at Callum Woodward. They were in front at that stage through Zac Martin's 12th minute effort. Liam Castle levelled from the spot on 32 minutes and then, in the final nine minutes of the game as the Pics` tired, Luke Barlone and Jamie Hood took the game away from them.

Frickley Athletic also recorded a first victory of 2014-15, edging out Matlock Town 1-0 at Westfield Lane, courtesy of a 54th minute Gavin Allott effort.

Whitby Town, however, are still yet to win, but picked up their third point from a 3-3 draw at Trafford in another see-saw encounter.

Dave McTiernan gave the Seasiders a 13th minute lead that Shelton Payne levelled from the spot five minutes later. Michael Oates then put the hosts ahead in the 35th minute only for a brace from Craig Farrell in the final five minutes of the first half to see Whitby turn round 3-2 up. However, Oates matched Farrell with a 73rd minute equaliser.

Buxton went nap at Silverlands against Grantham Town, with Liam Hardy netting a hat-trick in the 11th, 59th and 87th minutes, sandwiched by goals from Greg Young on 13 minutes and Mark Reed on 74 – Gregg Smith replying for the Gingerbreads on 21 minutes.

Managerless Witton Albion beat newly-promoted Halesowen Town 2-0 at Wincham Park, with goals from the recently-returned Josh Hancock after 53 minutes and Neil Harvey six minutes from time.

Stourbridge were involved in another high scoring game at Amblecote against Nantwich Town – the Glassboys running out 5-3 winners.

Luke Benbow finished as the home side`s hero with a hat-trick in the eighth, 12th and 70th minutes. Kayledon Brown made it 3-0 to Stourbridge after 31 minutes, with Steve Lewis replying five minutes before the break. Chris Knight on 56 minutes saw the Glassboys move 4-1 ahead, only for Harry Clayton to reduce the arrears just past the hour-mark, and then Jordan Johnson pulled a third back for the Dabbers four minutes after Benbow`s third.

Ramsbottom United edged out Marine AFC by the odd goal in five at the Riverside, with Jordan Hulme on nine minutes, Malachi Slaven on 48 and Steve Howson in the 56th minutes giving them a 3-0 lead that was reduced to just one with goals in the final three minutes from Tom Owens and John Shaw.