Match Reviews for
Macron NCEL 2026/27 Match Review #3
2nd August, 2026
Bottesford Town and Dearne & District both made it three wins out of three to start the Macron NCEL Premier Division season with victories on Saturday.
The Poachers head the early standings on goal difference after they defeated Knaresborough Town 2-1.
They came from behind to take the points, courtesy of Jack McMenemy and Jack Varley after William Lenehan had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Dearne, meanwhile, continued their excellent start following their Division One title winning campaign last season with a 3-1 victory at Retford FC.
Iren Wilson put the hosts in front, but a Jamie Austin hat-trick ensured the points went to Zeph Thomas’ side.
Horbury Town withstood a late comeback from hosts Frickley Athletic to make it seven points from their opening three games.
A Lucas Smith double and a James Cusworth strike put them 3-0 up by the 66th minute before Samuel Cable and Charle Price brought the home side back to within a goal of their opponents, but the match would end 3-2 in favour of the visitors.
Handsworth and Retford United were both victorious on their travels with Thomas McNally, Jordan Hines and Mitchell Dunne netting for the Ambers as they beat Albion Sports 3-1.
Conner Williamson grabbed the only goal of the game as United edged a tight match at Keighley Town with the breakthrough coming through on the hour mark.
Penistone Church opened their account for the season with a 4-1 home victory over Parkgate, thanks to three goals in the last ten minutes.
Reece High grabbed a quickfire double before Elliot Harrison made sure of the points with his side’s fourth in stoppage time.
The other three top-flight games ended in draws with Andrew Norfolk’s early strike for hosts Barton Town cancelled out by a Ewan Gregson penalty as Campion took a point away from the encounter next to the Humber.
Oliver Green gave Tadcaster Albion a second-minute lead at home to Thackley but Luke Brooks ensured it was honours even with an equaliser in the final quarter-of-an-hour.
And, it ended goalless between Golcar United and their visitors Rossington Main.
In Division One, Field Olympic and Selby Town are currently the only sides to have won their opening two matches.
Joseph Colley, Aidan Day and Kieron Batey were the scorers for Field as they dispatched visitors Ilkley Town 3-0.
And, Maximillian Bauer’s hat-trick helped the Robins to a 4-1 scoreline at Crowle Colts, Joseph Rawcliffe with their other goal whilst Carlo Midwinter netted for the hosts.
The day’s biggest crowd in the NCEL was at the Victoria Pleasure Ground as 369 watched Goole AFC snatch a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Wakefield AFC.
Jerome Greaves popped up in stoppage time to grab a winner for the Vikings after their opener on the hour mark from Ross Duggan had been cancelled out by one of their former players, James Eyles.
Bradley Dockerty struck twice as Kinsley Boys defeated hosts Appleby Frodingham 3-0 whilst Wombwell Town were 4-2 home winners over Brigg Town.
Joshua Haigh, Nash Connolly, Oliver Fearon and Louis Hart got their goals as they rebuild following last season’s relegation from the Premier Division whilst Joshua Batty and Dayle Southwell scored for the Zebras.
Immingham Town edged a 3-2 victory at home to Leeds UFCA, Corby Kavanagh and Declan McLaughlin helping them to a 2-1 lead going into stoppage time.
Brandon Oiley added their third but UFCA, who had previously hauled themselves back into the game through Kalaab Daniel, struck in stoppage time with Fredy Ombang making it a nervy end for the hosts who held on for their first league victory.
Zak Khan gave Route One Rovers an early lead at Athersley Recreation but the home side recovered to secure a 3-1 win.
Nathaneal Dyer’s spot kick was added to by a Muhammed Kanyi own goal before Kane Reece struck a third on 61 minutes to claim the points.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare were single-goal victors at home to Winterton Rangers, Ashley Bell with the decider on 73 minutes.
And, it was a point apiece for Doncaster City and their visitors Harrogate Railway Athletic, Benjamin Parkes’ late leveller for the Rail cancelling out the early strike from Danny South in a 1-1 draw.
Photo: Dearne & District keeper Callum Fielding punches away the ball under pressure during his side's 3-1 win at Retford FC in the Macron NCEL Premier Division on Saturday. (Picture: Jon Knight)
The Poachers head the early standings on goal difference after they defeated Knaresborough Town 2-1.
They came from behind to take the points, courtesy of Jack McMenemy and Jack Varley after William Lenehan had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Dearne, meanwhile, continued their excellent start following their Division One title winning campaign last season with a 3-1 victory at Retford FC.
Iren Wilson put the hosts in front, but a Jamie Austin hat-trick ensured the points went to Zeph Thomas’ side.
Horbury Town withstood a late comeback from hosts Frickley Athletic to make it seven points from their opening three games.
A Lucas Smith double and a James Cusworth strike put them 3-0 up by the 66th minute before Samuel Cable and Charle Price brought the home side back to within a goal of their opponents, but the match would end 3-2 in favour of the visitors.
Handsworth and Retford United were both victorious on their travels with Thomas McNally, Jordan Hines and Mitchell Dunne netting for the Ambers as they beat Albion Sports 3-1.
Conner Williamson grabbed the only goal of the game as United edged a tight match at Keighley Town with the breakthrough coming through on the hour mark.
Penistone Church opened their account for the season with a 4-1 home victory over Parkgate, thanks to three goals in the last ten minutes.
Reece High grabbed a quickfire double before Elliot Harrison made sure of the points with his side’s fourth in stoppage time.
The other three top-flight games ended in draws with Andrew Norfolk’s early strike for hosts Barton Town cancelled out by a Ewan Gregson penalty as Campion took a point away from the encounter next to the Humber.
Oliver Green gave Tadcaster Albion a second-minute lead at home to Thackley but Luke Brooks ensured it was honours even with an equaliser in the final quarter-of-an-hour.
And, it ended goalless between Golcar United and their visitors Rossington Main.
In Division One, Field Olympic and Selby Town are currently the only sides to have won their opening two matches.
Joseph Colley, Aidan Day and Kieron Batey were the scorers for Field as they dispatched visitors Ilkley Town 3-0.
And, Maximillian Bauer’s hat-trick helped the Robins to a 4-1 scoreline at Crowle Colts, Joseph Rawcliffe with their other goal whilst Carlo Midwinter netted for the hosts.
The day’s biggest crowd in the NCEL was at the Victoria Pleasure Ground as 369 watched Goole AFC snatch a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Wakefield AFC.
Jerome Greaves popped up in stoppage time to grab a winner for the Vikings after their opener on the hour mark from Ross Duggan had been cancelled out by one of their former players, James Eyles.
Bradley Dockerty struck twice as Kinsley Boys defeated hosts Appleby Frodingham 3-0 whilst Wombwell Town were 4-2 home winners over Brigg Town.
Joshua Haigh, Nash Connolly, Oliver Fearon and Louis Hart got their goals as they rebuild following last season’s relegation from the Premier Division whilst Joshua Batty and Dayle Southwell scored for the Zebras.
Immingham Town edged a 3-2 victory at home to Leeds UFCA, Corby Kavanagh and Declan McLaughlin helping them to a 2-1 lead going into stoppage time.
Brandon Oiley added their third but UFCA, who had previously hauled themselves back into the game through Kalaab Daniel, struck in stoppage time with Fredy Ombang making it a nervy end for the hosts who held on for their first league victory.
Zak Khan gave Route One Rovers an early lead at Athersley Recreation but the home side recovered to secure a 3-1 win.
Nathaneal Dyer’s spot kick was added to by a Muhammed Kanyi own goal before Kane Reece struck a third on 61 minutes to claim the points.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare were single-goal victors at home to Winterton Rangers, Ashley Bell with the decider on 73 minutes.
And, it was a point apiece for Doncaster City and their visitors Harrogate Railway Athletic, Benjamin Parkes’ late leveller for the Rail cancelling out the early strike from Danny South in a 1-1 draw.
Photo: Dearne & District keeper Callum Fielding punches away the ball under pressure during his side's 3-1 win at Retford FC in the Macron NCEL Premier Division on Saturday. (Picture: Jon Knight)
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