West Round-up: Linnets take charge at the top

Freddie Potter’s winner 10 minutes from time gave Linnets, in their first season back in the NPL, a 3-2 win at Ramsbottom United, while Colls went down 2-0 at Radcliffe, their second successive defeat.

An early Louis Corrigan penalty put Linnets on their way, and Peter Wylie restored their lead two minutes after Thomas Kennedy had equalised for Rammy. Nialle Rodney’s penalty on the hour mark levelled things up before Potter’s late magic.

Radcliffe are up to third as their fine recent form continued at home to Colls, with goals coming from Callum Grogan and Tunde Owolabi.

They moved above Colne, who sit fourth, after they were held 1-1 at Chasetown.

Simon Nangle gave them an early lead, but Jazz Luckie’s first goal since his return to the club earned the hosts a point.

There was a seven goal thriller in the Manchester derby between Trafford and Droylsden, with the Bloods coming out on top.

Daniel Wilkins and Sefton Gonzales exchanged early goals before Liam Caddick put the visitors in front.
Droylsden’s lead became 3-1 shortly after half time thanks to Gonzales second, before Lewis Nightingale’s first goal for Trafford brought them back in to the content 23 minutes from time.

Michael Brewster’s penalty restored Droylsden’s two goal advantage and though Chris Palmer’s strike set up a frantic final few minutes, the Bloods held on for their fifth win of the season.

There was a late finish at Skelmersdale after referee Neil Evans was stretchered off with an injury 12 minutes from time, causing a lengthy delay.

Local referee John White stood in to run the line for the remainder of the match against Kidsgrove Athletic, which finished 2-2.

That wasn’t the end of the drama as James O’Hara was dismissed for a second yellow card on 82 minutes.

All the goals had come prior to Evans going off, with the hosts coming from 2-0 down through Louis Keegan and Sean Yeldrem (penalty), after Peter Williams and Adam Freeland had putting Kidsgrove in command.

Widnes earned back-to-back victories as they beat local rivals Prescot Cables 2-1 at Barnton.

League top scorer Chris Almond had given Cables a first half lead, but two goals in a minute from Dale Korie-Butler gave Widnes the win, as they count down to their return to the Halton Stadium.

Newcastle Town left it late to end their run of four games without a winner, Michael Conlon scoring in the fifth minute of added on time to see off Mossley 1-0.

Leek Town moved within touching distance of the play-off places as they defeated struggling Kendal 3-0.

Tim Grice gave them a first half lead and they left it late to make sure of the points, Billy Sass-Davies and Aaron Bott both scoring in the final eight minutes.

Clitheroe fell to their third straight defeat, a late goal from William Wells giving Market Drayton Town a 3-2 win.

James Gregory and Charles Knowles exchanged goals inside the first five minutes, and Market Drayton led at half time courtesy of Jud Ellis.

Lewis Sugden looked to have saved a point for Clitheroe 13 minutes from time before Wells’ late show.

To view all the results from the weekend’s games, visit the EVO-STIK League results page, and check the latest league tables here.