The opening weekend of August saw clubs from the Macron NCEL Premier Division step up to the national stage in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, while Division One sides were involved in league action with plenty of drama, late goals, and standout performances.

Pickering Town started things off on a winning note on Friday night as their 3-2 home win over Penrith saw them book their place in the Preliminary Round in a fortnight's time.

George Brown had given the Pikes an early lead but the visitors struck back to lead 2-1 with ten minutes to go before Tony Hackworth's side drew back level through Joe Wood and then Jordan Hines grabbed a dramatic injury time winner.

Victories, however, were hard to come by on Saturday with only Bottesford Town, Parkgate and Rossington Main making sure of a place at the next stage.

Jack McMenemy's first half penalty was added to after the interval by goals from Jason Borland and Josh Eccles as Bottesford beat visitors Melton Town 3-0.

Jacob Pearson was the matchwinner with fourteen minutes remaining for Parkgate as they defeated league rivals Eccleshill United by a single goal at Green Lane.

And, Rossington were 4-1 home victors over Moulton, Paul Sherburn, Cameron Hough, Reece Fielding and Dylan Mantle with their goals to send them through.

Four matches ended in stalemate, meaning another chance to progress in midweek, with Wombwell Town hosting fellow Premier Division side Horbury Town after their goalless draw.

Tyler Edwards pounced in stoppage time to force a replay for Barton Town as they drew 1-1 against Loughborough Students whilst both sides drew a blank as Knaresborough Town hosted Bridlington Town to mean they also have to play again on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, two more sides will be looking to get through in an all-NCEL tie as Sheffield travel to Albion Sports following their 1-1 draw, Natham Cartman's equaliser midway through the second half for the Lions cancelling out Nathanial Crofts' early opener for the hosts.

McCauley Snelgrove and Ryan Hall netted for Beverley Town and Golcar United but they were beaten 3-1 at Birtley Town and 2-1 at home by Ramsbottom United, respectively.

Frickley Athletic and Thackley failed to trouble the scoresheet as they went down on their travels, Athletic beaten 1-0 at Brighouse Town whilst the Dennyboys lost 4-0 at Irlam.

Toby Kenyon put Handsworth ahead at home to last season's Premier Division champions Silsden AFC but the visitors, now at Step 4 in the National League System, ran out 4-1 winners.

Liversedge were beaten 3-0 by Wythenshawe at the Clayborn Ground whilst Kieran Ryan netted for Penistone Church in their 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Padiham.

And, Andrew Shepherd and Calum Hudson were the scorers for Tadcaster Albion as they bowed out of the competition with a 3-2 loss at Thornaby.

Sunday, however, resulted in a successful end to the weekend as Campion became the fifth NCEL side to progress as they ran out 2-0 winners at Northwich Victoria.

Patrick Sykes became the club's all-time leading goalscorer as he broke the deadlock at the start of the second half and then Akram Lasalire came off the bench to double their lead.

Division One, meanwhile, saw its second round of matches for the new season, beginning on Friday night as Dearne & District came away from Worsbrough Bridge Athletic with a 2-0 victory, Justin Circuit's 28th minute opener added to late on by Jamie Austin.

In Saturday's action, Selby Town are the only side to make it two wins out of two as they beat Louth Town 1-0, James Danby with the decider for the hosting Robins.

Wakefield AFC looked to have grabbed their second victory when Nathaniel Muenda put them 3-2 up at home to Harrogate Railway Athletic in the 88th minute but the Rail grabbed a draw to join their hosts on four points thanks to Joshua Lockwood's injury time leveller.

Goole AFC were the biggest victors as a Daniel Ward hat-trick helped them to a 6-0 home demolition of Nostell Miners Welfare to get their tally up and running with Ashley Worsfold, Mitchell Carlton and James Simmonite also finding the net for the Vikings.

There was a seven-goal thriller at the MKM Stadium as Winterton Rangers entertained Athersley Recreation, the away side leading 3-2 going into stoppage time before Harry Griffin looked to have rescued a point for Rangers.

But, as the clock reached the hundredth minute, Shay Bould grabbed what proved to be the winner for the Rec as they claimed their first win of the campaign.

Alfie Usher's injury time penalty snatched Brigg Town a point in a 2-2 draw at Doncaster City after a Reagan Waud brace had seemingly given the home side the victory.

Nathan Jarman netted the only goal of the game as Appleby Frodingham prevailed over visitors Route One Rovers whilst Omar Sanyang scored both of Leeds UFCA's goals in a 2-0 home win against Glasshoughton Welfare.

And, there were goalless draws for Crowle Colts at home to South Leeds and for Ilkley Town at Maltby Main.

Photo: Mitchell Carlton slams home Goole AFC's third goal in their 6-0 home win over Nostell Miners Welfare in Macron NCEL Division One on Saturday. (Picture: Thomas Crabb)