STEP 5 ROUND-UPS

NORTHERN LEAGUE

LEADERS North Shields saw off champions Shildon by three goals at the Daren Perrson ground to move away from the chasing pack.

A goal from Ryan Carr and a Curtis Coppen double was enough to see the Robins get revenge after Shildon dumped them out of the FA Trophy.

Jarrow Roofing stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a 4-2 win over Chester-le-Street, with goals from Paul Chow, Dennis Knight, Anth Myers and Calvin Smith.

Penrith came from behind to defeat ten-man Marske United 4-3. Two-goal Martyn Coleman, Bobby Atkinson and Shaun Gardener ensured a happy trip back to Cumbria for The Bonny Blues.

Seaham Red Star edged a close encounter against Newcastle Benfield, as David Palmer and Robbie Bird gave Star a two-goal lead then Matty Cornish scored a late consolation.

Dunston UTS came from behind to defeat Guisborough Town 5-2 thanks to a Dale Burrell brace.

Sunderland RCA defeated Bishop Auckland 2-1, with John Butler and Steve Callen on target, while Newton Aycliffe defeated West Auckland 3-0 – two-goal Jamie Owens and Josh Gray getting their names on the scoresheet.

Morpeth Town’s game against West Allotment Celtic was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

MATTY HEWITT

NORTH WEST COUNTIES

IT WAS A defining week in the Premier Division as four of the five title challengers went head-to-head.

The main talking point came at Runcorn Town, who beat leaders Atherton Collieries 2-1 to open the title race back up. Johnny Gorman put Atherton ahead but a brace from Craig Cairns bolstered Town’s own title chances.

Runcorn Linnets kept the pressure on the leaders with an impressive 4-1 win at 1874 Northwich.

Jason Carey put 1874 ahead only for Freddie Potter to equalise shortly after. Kristian Holt gave Linnets the lead on the stroke of half-time with Stuart Wellstead and Zac Aley then adding to the tally to hoist their side up to second.

West Didsbury & Chorlton travelled to Barnton and ran out 3-0 winners, despite having Anthony Potts sent off early on. Goals from Saul Henderson and a Nic Evangelinos double made it a comfortable day for West.

Hanley Town beat rock-bottom Cammell Laird 1907 with three second-half goals from Dan Cope, Sean Mountford and Theo Stair to leave Lairds still without a win this season.

Congleton Town and Padiham fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw, the visitors levelling in the last minute, while New Mills edged out Winsford United 2-1.

There were plenty of goals at Abbey Hey too, as Squires Gate were beaten 3-2 – Jimmy Moore with the late winner.

GARY LANGLEY

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST

EDDIE ROGERSON smashed in a late winner as Barton Town Old Boys bagged a dramatic 2-1 win in their relegation dogfight with Armthorpe Welfare.

Armthorpe looked on course for the win but Will Waudby crossed for brother Tom to fire home before, just a minute later, Rogerson drilled in from the edge of the box.

There was also late drama at Rainworth, who saw Matt Harris and Tomas Poole’s goals cancelled out by strikes from Maltby Main’s Josh Nodder and Dean Smith in the last five minutes.

With leaders Cleethorpes in FA Vase action, Pickering Town closed the gap to four points following a 5-1 defeat of Bottesford.

Handsworth Parramore’s twin goal machines Aaron Moxam and Jon Froggatt notched their 40th and 35th goals respectively in their 3-0 win at Hemsworth Miners Welfare, who had two players sent off.

Bridlington stay above Handsworth in third after also scoring three, at Staveley Miners Welfare – Joel Sutton, Jack Walters and Brett Agnew on target.

Parkgate kept survival hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Harrogate Railway Athletic, basement club Retford lost 2-1 at Clipstone, Albion Sports stay ahead of AFC Mansfield in their fight for sixth after a 2-1 win at Liversedge, AFC Mansfield won 2-0 at Worksop Town and Thackley and Athersley Recreation drew 1-1.

NAT SYLVESTER

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

RUNAWAY LEADERS Peterborough Sports continued their march to the title with a 4-1 victory at Rothwell Corinthians.

Mark Jones, John Sanders, sub Stuart Eason and Ollie Medwynter were all on target. Sports are now 12 points clear of Deeping Rangers with a game in hand and just eight games left.

Scott Coupland scored Deeping Rangers’ 100th goal of the season as he completed his double against highriding visitors Eynesbury Rovers. Charlie Coulson scored Rangers’ other goal.

A late Simon Ashton goal boosted Boston Town’s relegation fight after they threw away a three-goal lead at Leicester Nirvana.

Ashton, Curtis Revell and Josh Ford gave the third-from-bottom visitors a clear lead before the home side pulled level. Ashton snatched all three points by completing his double for a 4-3 win.

Kirby Muxloe hammered basement visitors Huntingdon Town 7-2, with Tyler Love, Saleil Ahmed, Nick Gupwell, Carl Benson, Leon Fray and Josh Burniston on target.

Jack Wisniewski, Adam Speight and Jack Jillingham netted for hosts Wellingborough Town in their 3-0 home win over Holbeach United.

A last-minute goal from Sam Watkin handed Northampton ON Chenecks a 3-2 home win over Harborough Town.

Wisbech Town reached the League Cup final after a penalty shootout at Desborough Town. It was 2-2 at fulltime and at the end of extra time.

ROBIN JONES

MIDLAND LEAGUE

LYE TOWN, in third, put the brakes on their run of five straight defeats by seeing off Quorn 3-0.

Goals either side of half-time from Ben Bilingham put them in control and they wrapped up the points on the hour mark through Jack Till.

Westfields climbed back into the top four following their narrow 1-0 defeat of Long Eaton Town – Ben Hayes with the only goal of the game three minutes before half-time.

At the other end of the table, Boldmere St Michaels cruised to an 8-0 victory over ten-man St Andrews.

The visitors had Eliot Putman sent off inside the opening 11 minutes for handball on the line and the Mikes took full advantage, with Joe Smith scoring the resulting penalty to open the floodgates. Alister Brauns and Stuart Capaldi led the rout with two goals apiece.

Jake Webb scored two penalties for AFC Wulfrunians just before half-time, but it was only enough to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Highgate United, while Chris Cox’s goal gave Coventry United victory over landlords Coventry Sphinx.

Shepshed Dynamo eased to a 3-0 win at home to Tividale and Rocester held on for a 3-2 victory at home to Heanor Town, for whom Joe Naylor bagged a brace.

Stouport Swifts and Sporting Khalsa drew 1-1 and it was the same scoreline at Brocton, where Walsall Wood were the visitors. DAVID LAWRENCE

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

ILFORD were the only home team to win in a strange day of league action, with eight others losing.

They scored five before the break against Burnham Ramblers and added another after half-time. There were five different scorers and Luke Thomas got a double.

Barking’s lead at the top is now six points, with games for the chasing pack beginning to run out. Steve Willis and Joe Pearman were on target as they won 2-1 at London Bari, who had taken the lead through Joe Appiah.

FC Romania have climbed into second after a 3-1 win at West Essex.

Clapton were without a game, but their lead over Southend Manor stays five points as Manor were surprised at home by Sporting Bengal United. Shiblu Miah and Oscar Mendes scored for United before Rhys Fatt pulled a goal back late on.

Enfield 1893 also took the lead but could not hold on. Sawbridgeworth Town scored through Gavin Cockman and James Mays to win 2-1.

A Khadeem Brightly brace and a Ben Bradbury goal helped Eton Manor win 3-1 at Haringey & Waltham, who stay bottom, and a last-minute David Laird goal was enough to send Barkingside home from Stansted happy.

Mitch Das grabbed a double for Takeley as they won 3-0 at Waltham Forest, Basildon United won 3-1 at Tower Hamlets and Redbridge and Hullbridge Sports drew 1-1.

DAVID BALLHEIMER

EASTERN COUNTIES

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED are now just three points behind leaders Mildenhall Town, and have a game in hand, after a 3-1 home win against struggling Wivenhoe Town.

With Mildenhall not involved in league action, Felixstowe took full advantage to close the gap as Craig Jennings converted two penalties and Jordan Matthews added their other goal. The defeat for Wivenhoe sees them drop into the bottom three.

Third-placed Newmarket Town’s title hopes were dealt a considerable blow as they suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Walsham-le-Willows.

Fourth-placed Gorleston stay firmly in title contention as they secured a 4-2 away win against relegation-threatened FC Clacton. Kyle Baker bagged a brace for the visitors, with Keegan Middleton and Connor Ingram also on target.

Jordan Brockett struck five times as Godmanchester Rovers recorded a crushing 7-1 home win against bottom side Swaffham Town.

A last-minute penalty for Hadleigh United salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Fakenham Town and moved them out of the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Graeme Turner netted twice as Saffron Walden Town ran out 3-1 winners at home to Kirkley & Pakefield and there was an impressive 3-0 home victory for Ipswich Wanderers over fifth-placed Stanway Rovers.

RORY HAYWARD

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS

IN WHAT MAY prove to be the key weekend of the season, London Colney are now eleven points clear after they beat Leighton Town 2-0 to record a 28th win of the season.

Jon Clements scored the only goal of the first half before Greg Shaw’s 63rd-minute goal sealed the points and earned Colney a tenth straight home league win.

It was third versus second at Cockfosters, where the hosts completed the double over Hertford Town with an excellent 2-1 win.

Ben Hart put Cockfosters ahead after the break before Ricky Light converted Phil Lowen’s cross to level for Hertford. However, just as the game moved into injury time, Cockfosters broke and Jay Rolfe fired home the winner.

Broxbourne Borough stay bottom after they lost 3-0 at Tring Athletic, for whom Jack Read and Luke Dunstan were among the goals, and Stotfold move out of the bottom six as goals from Ash Fitton and Daniel Bond earned them a 2-0 win at home to London Tigers.

Marcus Campbell scored for the second straight Saturday as Welwyn Garden City beat Holmer Green 2-0 and Berkhamsted maintain their recent fine form as Ikem Odeh's goal earned them a 1-0 win over St Margaretsbury.

Elsewhere, Biggleswade United beat Hoddesdon Town 4-2 and Liam James scored as Oxhey Jets beat Wembley 1-0. CHRIS MITCHELL

COMBINED COUNTIES

RUNAWAY CHAMPIONS Hartley Wintney stay a remarkable 23 points clear at the top of the table.

The Row beat Green Lane visitors Westfield 3-1 in the eagerly awaited clash to dump The Field to third.

The high-flying visitors took a ninthminute lead through Max Blackmore, only for 17-year-old striker Adam Liddle to equalise after 13 minutes. The hosts took control late on, with further goals from Steve Duff on 73 minutes and Sam Argent on 85 minutes.

Fellow high-fliers Hanworth Villa capitalised on Westfield’s loss, climbing one spot thanks to a 3-1 win at midtable Knaphill. Jimmy Norman’s superb strike had given the hosts a 19th-minute lead at Redding Way, but The Villains stormed back to take three points thanks to Levi King’s 51st-minute leveller and a late brace from striker Tom Neale.

An incident on the hour mark led to red cards for Knappers’ Connor Close and the visitors’ Jesse Ataise.

Hosts Walton & Hersham also rose one place, to fourth, with a 1-0 win over Farnham Town.

Camberley Town won 3-2 at Guildford City, Horley Town crashed 4-0 against Bedfont Sports and Abbey Rangers beat second-bottom visitors Raynes Park Vale 2-0.

Spelthorne Sports won 2-1 at CB Hounslow United, Sutton Common Rovers lost 1-0 at Windsor, North Greenford United triumphed 2-1 at Colliers Wood United, AFC Hayes lost 2-0 to fellow strugglers Chertsey Town and lowly Badshot Lea beat basement boys Bedfont & Feltham 3-1.

DAVID GROVES

SOUTHERN COMBINATION

SHOREHAM retained their twopoint advantage at the top with a comfortable 4-0 away win against lowly Wick.

Luke Donaldson, Rob O’Toole, Adam Kneller and Kieran Pamment were all on target for the league leaders.

Luc Doherty netted two as Haywards Heath Town remain second after an entertaining 4-3 away victory against Crawley Down Gatwick.

Third-placed Chichester City are still five points behind Shoreham despite Josh Clack’s 45th-minute strike proving enough to hand them a 1-0 home win over AFC Uckfield Town.

Hailsham Town are now certain to finish the season in the bottom three after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to fourth-placed Pagham and Adam Davidson’s late goal handed fifthplaced Eastbourne United AFC a 1-0 home win against Broadbridge Heath.

Arundel are now one point adrift of safety after losing 3-1 away to Lancing. Mike Williamson, Will Berry and Lewis Finney were the hosts’ scorers.

Peacehaven & Telscombe moved three points clear of the drop zone with a 2-1 home win against Worthing United and there was a 1-0 away win for Eastbourne Town against Loxwood.

George Gaskin’s stoppage-time equaliser secured Littlehampton Town a 2-2 draw at home to Newhaven and Hassocks ran out 1-0 winners at home to Horsham YMCA. RORY HAYWARD

HELLENIC LEAGUE

BRACKNELL TOWN continue to set the standard as league leaders as they thrashed visitors Brimscombe & Thrupp 7-2.

Another large crowd of 219 saw Seb Bowerman hit four, while Terence Bohane weighed in with a brace and Ian Davies also netted.

It was a costly defeat for the demoralised visitors who fell from fifth to seventh. Their goals came from Jack Smith and Sam Blackie.

Hosts Thame United, who have also played 29 league games, stay within a point of the pacesetters thanks to their 1-0 win over Royal Wootton Bassett at The ASM Stadium. Tom Ashworth netted their 43rd-minute winner.

Third-placed Flackwell Heath lost 2-1 at fourth-placed Thatcham Town. Ben Sturgess’ sixth-minute penalty put the visitors ahead at Waterside Park, only for Shane Cooper-Clark’s penalty to level on 25 minutes and Tom Melledew to bag their 29th-minute winner.

Ardley United climb two to fifth with a 3-1 home win over basement boys Burnham. Nathaniel Lewars opened the scoring on 28 minutes and Leam Howards made it 2-0 on 34 minutes. Jesse Wilson reduced the arrears on 58 minutes, but Jack Heap clinched it with a 90th-minute goal.

Lydney Town drew 1-1 with lowly visitors Highmoor-Ibis, hosts Tuffley Rovers lost 3-2 to third-bottom Oxford City Nomads and Longlevens AFC thrashed second-bottom visitors Henley Town 8-3 in another thrilling tie.

DAVID GROVES

WESTERN LEAGUE

BRADFORD TOWN maintained their brilliant run of form, defeating Longwell Green Sports 4-1 to make it seven straight wins in all competitions.

Dan Cottle was the star for Town, opening the scoring in the early stages before adding two more goals after the break to complete a hat-trick, with Kurt James scoring his first for the club to seal the victory.

Bristol Manor Farm got back to winning ways, with Aron Robbins scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Cribbs, while Buckland Athletic’s 12-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end with a 3-1 defeat against Brislington at Ironmould Lane.

Street are still in second, after four second-half goals saw them win 5-2 at Willand Rovers, with Cadbury Heath also winning away, 4-1 at Bridport.

Melksham Town came from behind on two occasions to draw 2-2 with Chipping Sodbury Town at home

Joe White took advantage of a mishit backpass to put the visitors ahead, before Sam Jordan levelled on the cusp of half-time. Sodbury retook the lead thanks to Benjamin Dowdell, but Gary Higdon secured a point for Melksham.

At Hardings Lane, Lewis Morgan’s late brace and goals from Ashley Clarke and Harry Baker handed Gillingham Town a 4-1 win at home to Clevedon Town, while Hallen remain deep in the relegation battle after they relinquished a two-goal half-time lead to draw 2-2 with Shepton Mallet. TOM HISCOTT

WESSEX LEAGUE

ANDOVER TOWN were Saturday’s big winners in the Premier Division as they won 5-1 at home to Cowes Sports.

The hosts went 3-0 up at the Portway Stadium thanks to goals from Shane Lock, Reece Rusher and former Winchester City striker Zach Glasspool.

Reece Rusher added a fourth on 65 minutes for the hosts before the visitors eventually grabbed a consolation goal six minutes from time. Andover had the final say, though, when Victor Guiterrez scored in stoppage-time.

Newport IOW produced a solid display as they beat Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2-0 at St. George's Park.

The game was goalless at the break, but ex-AFC Bournemouth youngster Aidan Sainsbury broke the deadlock from the spot on 47 minutes.

Bemerton pushed hard for a leveller, but Connor Kelly sealed the win for the hosts three minutes before the end for the Islanders.

Horndean and Amesbury Town drew 2-2 at Fiveheads Park despite the visitors finishing the game with ten men. Jack Maloney put Horndean ahead, then the sides traded goals and shared the points.

Whitchurch United secured a hardearned win, 1-0 at home to Sholing.

MATT RICHBELL