NCEL Weekend Review
26th March, 2007
Sheffield have extended their lead back at the top of the Premier Division to eleven points after a narrow victory at home to fellow promotion chasers Glapwell.
Darryl Winter's 75th-minute strike was the only goal of the afternoon at the Bright Finance Stadium on a day where their closest rivals, Retford United, were not in action.
Third-placed Garforth Town could not capitalise, however, as they were held to a goalless draw at bottom-three side, Shirebrook Town.
Carlton Town replaced Glapwell in fourth as a brace from Phil Bignall saw them win 2-1 at home to Pickering Town with the visitors' goal coming from the penalty spot by Dean MacAuley.
Maltby Main moved in to the top six as they beat Arnold Town 4-2 at Muglet Lane.
Chris Hall had put the Eagles ahead before Maltby, through Scott Riley and James Mitchell, took a lead by half-time.
Ryan Franklin brought the scores back level on 55 minutes before Scott Somerville and Ashley Longstaff made sure of the points for Main in the last quarter of the match.
At the foot of the table, the bottom two sides had disappointing days as both fell to home defeats.
Brodsworth Welfare went down 4-1 against Mickleover Sports whilst Thackley were beaten by a couple of late John Flynn goals as they lost 2-0 to Liversedge.
Eccleshill United and Hallam came out on top in five-goal thrillers.
Eccleshill claimed a late winner at home to Glasshoughton Welfare to win 3-2, Matt Dempsey with the vital strike thirteen minutes from time.
Hallam won by the same scoreline at Long Eaton United but left it even later, David Knaggs scoring in injury time to pick up the three points.
Meanwhile, Sutton Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Armthorpe Welfare.
The lead has changed hands at the top of Division One in a title challenge that is threatening to go all the way.
Winterton Rangers, who were at the summit at the start of play, went down to a 1-0 defeat at Staveley Miners Welfare, Marc Scott with the goal that moves Staveley up to ninth.
Parkgate, thanks to a Richard Patterson hat-trick, were 3-2 winners at AFC Emley to replace Rangers in pole position.
South Normanton Athletic strengthened their hold on third spot with a 2-1 win at home to Gedling Town.
Kevin Mabon had put them in the lead just after the hour mark before Matthew Turner equalised for the visitors and Simon Johnson restored the Shiners? advantage with thirteen minutes remaining.
Nostell Miners Welfare remain fourth but are three points behind South Normanton now after a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of the ever-improving Tadcaster Albion.
Adam Wash, Guiseppe Downing and Rob Ellis got the goals for Taddy that keep them in sixth place behind Lincoln Moorlands on goal difference who won 4-1 at home to Teversal.
Ross Fleming got a goal for Moorlands whilst Scott Coupland grabbed two and Daniel Bent finished off the scoring for them, Jamie Hudson found the net for the Tevie Boys.
There were, as in the Premier Division, defeats for the two bottom sides but both were away from home.
Basement outfit Rossington Main were sunk by goals from Chris Spinks and Chris Hudson in a 2-0 defeat at Hall Road Rangers.
And, Yorkshire Amateur lost 3-1 at Borrowash Victoria with Tommy Leighton grabbing a hat-trick, one a penalty, for the hosts.
Finally, goals from Liam Cartledge, Ben Rosser and Mark Needham saw Dinnington Town win 3-0 at Worsbrough Bridge.