EVO-STIK ROUND-UP WEEK 9

EVO-STIK ROUND-UP WEEK 9

Darlington moved back to the top of the league table with two impressive victories this week. On Sat...

Darlington moved back to the top of the league table with two impressive victories this week. On Saturday Lee Gaskell scored a hat-trick along with goals from Nathan Cartman and Stephen Thompson in a 5-1 win at Mickleover Sports. On Tuesday night the Quakers came from behind to win at Ashton United 2-1. Cartman levelled for the side shortly after half-time before Graeme Armstrong bundled home the winner in injury-time.

Several of the divisions sides were in FA Cup action this week, as they looked to progress to the final qualifying round of the competition.

Salford City made it through after a replay with Bradford Park Avenue. In the first game at Salford Richard Allen scored for the hosts after just seven minutes, with Richard Marshall earning a replay for Bradford from the penalty spot. The second game went to extra-time with Allen scoring the winner for Salford in the 94th minute. The Ammies now have a fantastic chance to progress to the first round after they were drawn at home to struggling Conference side Southport.

Unfortunately, Buxton were unable to progress despite drawing away to FC United. Warren Burrell had given Buxton the lead only for Tom Greaves to earn the draw for FC United 11 minutes from time. However, in the replay Buxton fell to a 2-0 defeat. Greg Daniels and Sam Madeley scored the goals for FC United in the last fifteen minutes.

Ashton United were knocked out of the competition by AFC Rushden and Diamonds. The reformed side winning 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Scott Joseph and Tom Lorraine.

Barwell were one of the few sides from the Evo-Stik Premier to progress without the need for a replay. They overcame Kings Lynn Town, 1-0, thanks to a goal 14 minutes from full-time from Jamie Towers.

Two sides in the division met when Stourbridge hosted Rushall Olympic. It was Stourbridge who progressed thanks to Justin Richards scoring the only goal of the game inside the first ten minutes. In the final qualifying game they host Kidderminster Harriers.

Hyde United were unable to take advantage of their second lifeline against Northwich Victoria, after the game was forced to be replayed by the FA. However, the result was the same after a late winner from Bobby Langford sent Northwich through 2-1 winners.

In the league Blyth Spartans suffered their first home defeat of the campaign against Sutton Coldfield Town, 2-1. Joel Kettle gave Sutton the lead before Daniel Maguire levelled for Blyth. However, Zak Lilly won the game with eight minutes remaining for Sutton.

Stourbridge were able to complete a fantastic week for the club on Monday night when they beat Sutton Coldfield to move up into third place in the league table. Goals before half-time from Karl Hawley and Justin Richards were enough to claim a 2-0 victory.

Nantwich Town are fourth, but blew a 2-0 lead on Tuesday at home to Matlock Town.  Matthew Bell and Liam Shotton put Nantwich two ahead before Niall McManus and Danny Holland earned a point for the visitors with all four goals coming in the first quarter of an hour.

Workington are seventh after a 2-1 win at Stamford at the weekend. Joseph McGee and Philp McLuckie put Workington in control and they were able to hold out for the win despite a Joshua Calvert own goal.

Matlock Town are ninth despite defeat away to Halesowen Town on Saturday. Danny Holland scored both of Matlock’s goals with Joseph Hull, Daniel Bragoli and Gregory Pearson scoring for Halesowen.

Barwell have moved into the top ten after a huge win at home to Halesowen. Anthony Carney scored a hat-trick, Iyseden Christie scored twice and Liam Kay also got on the scoresheet in a 6-0 win.

Ilkeston are eleventh after two draws this week. On Saturday they drew 0-0 against Colwyn Bay, before a 1-1 draw at Stamford. Stamford took the lead through Nabil Shariff only for Daniel Udoh to earn Ilkeston a point.

Two sides in the relegation zone met on Saturday as Whitby Town and Grantham Town drew 1-1. Former Quaker Ryan Brobbel gave Whitby the lead, but Gregory Smith earned the visitors a point early in the second half.

Grantham then earned their first away win of the season at Mickleover Sports on Tuesday. Massiah McDonald gave the hosts an early lead before Rhys Lewis and a Dwayne Wiley own goal put Grantham in control. Andrew Ales levelled for Mickleover, only for Michael Emmott to win the game for Grantham 3-2.

Whitby’s struggle continued on Wednesday as they lost 3-0 at home to Hyde United. Ayrton Bevins scored twice, with Scott Spencer sealing the victory.

Frickley Athletic earned a stoppage-time point away to Skelmersdale United. Isaac Kusaloka scored after 56 minutes for the hosts, before Chris Wood snatched Frickley a point at the death.

Skelmersdale then lost a seven goal thriller at home to Colwyn Bay, 4-3.  John Marsden and Zac Corbett both scored twice for the Welsh side. Kenneth Strickland, Chris Almond and Robert McIntosh scored the goals for the home side.

This coming week Darlington have two home games at Heritage Park against third place Stourbridge and Workington.