Victory for Keyworth United, under those Friday Night Lights, kept them in the hunt for a top five finish in the Notts Senior League, their victory, couple with defeat for Collingham the following afternoon, saw them slip into fourth place.

Hosting bottom of the table, Radcliffe Olympic, Keyworth were two to the good after twenty-five minutes thanks to first half goals from Samuel Clements, and Jack Oldham; the score stayed that way until the final half hour when Ajay Bentham grabbed a late brace, his second and the victors’ fourth, coming with five left.

The victory, which put them into fourth, now sees them just four behind third place Aslockton & Orston, with a game in hand, having leapfrogged Collingham, who lost 4-1 to the runaway leaders, FCV Grace Dieu.

In hosting the Premier Division’s front-runners Collingham, who were the last side to score against them in the league, did add another late on in this contest, Garvie Cameron netting from the penalty spot.

The visitors however, they’ve currently an eighteen-point advantage on second place Cotgrave thanks to a brace from Hassan Farouq, and one each for Jerell Sellars, and Sidney Turner.

With Cotgrave inactive, Aslockton moved to within seven points of second (played three more than their rivals for runners-up) after their 3-0 win at home to Borrowash Victoria, Greg McLean netting two alongside one for Sam Brakewell.

The only other Premier Division game played saw Woodthorpe Park Rangers ease to a 5-2 win when home to West Bridgford Reserves, whilst in the NSL Senior Cup, Ruddington Village made the final four following their 4-0 success at home to AC United, Brett Soiza netting twice.

East Leake Robins, although having played two more, have finally caught Division One leaders, Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves, following their 4-0 win away to Bilborough TRD, goals coming from Thomas Hardy, Jacob Lawrence, Kyle Sharp and Joshua Wright, to move level on goal-difference.

Ethan Milne bagged a double for Colsterworth, who moved into third, following a narrow, 3-2 home win, over visiting PMG Excel; Liam Jacques with the other for the victors, whilst at the other end of the table there were victories for that of Clifton All Whites Reserves (6-0 at home to Beeston Old Boys Association), Sandiacre Town (3-1 against visiting Meden Vale Colts), and Keyworth United Reserves (4-1 at home to Ravenshead Reds).

The game between Hucknall Town Reserves and Stapleford Town Reserves meanwhile finished in a 2-2 draw.

Elston United have a two-point lead on Notts Olympic, with two games in hand, atop of Division Two, after both won on the road, Curtis French netting the only goal for the leaders in their 1-0 win at bottom club Calverton Miners Welfare, whilst Oliver Connor scored three for Olympic as they won 4-2 at FC Cavaliers Reserves.

FC Pelican meanwhile have crept into the top five following their 6-1 win at home to Greyfriars, Marton McDonagh scoring three times along with a brace for Fraser Holden; whilst in Division Three, Beeston Reserves are twelve clear of second place AFC Parabellum after booth picked up wins on the road.

Beeston won 1-0 away to Cotgrave Reserves, Oluwadamilare Oguntuga with the only goal, and Parabellum won 4-0 at East Leake Reserves, stretching their unbeaten run to six in all competitions; Langwith Whitestar meanwhile have moved into third place after they won 4-2 at home to Phoenix Athletic.

As for the two games in the Development Division, Newark & Sherwood United Development edged visitors Attenborough Development 2-1, and Red Sea eased to a 3-0 win when home to Cotgrave.

The draws have also been made for the semi-finals of the Notts Senior League cup competitions, they are as follows –

NSL SENIOR CUP (to be played w/c 15 March 2025)

FCV Grace Dieu vs. Ruddington Village; East Leake Robins vs. Ruddington Village

NSL INTERMEDIATE CUP (to be played w/c 15 March 2025)

Gedling Southbank vs. FC Pelican; Hucknall Town Reserves vs. Elston United

NSL JUNIOR CUP (to be played w/c 15 March 2025)

Ravenshead Reds vs. Collingham Reserves; AFC Parabellum vs. Trent Vineyard

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @robhornby action between Calverton MW and Elston United.