Saturday afternoon would see the opening exchanges of the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League’s Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Cup competitions, played out, with action aplenty along the way.

In the first of the three competitions, the NSL Senior Cup, progression was made by that of AFC Dunkirk, Cotgrave, FC Sez, FC Cavaliers, and emphatically by Southwell City, they blasting visiting Bingham Town at their Butt Field home.

In registering six, first-half goals, the hosts would run out 8-3 victors, Jon Smith with a hat-trick, including wrapping up the victory in the last minute, whilst there were also goals from Bradley McDonald, Matthew Newton, Calum Law, Ben Selby, and William Stocks, whilst Town replies came via a Thomas Spencer brace, and Shaun Harrad.

Dunkirk’s progression in the NSL Senior saw them sink their visitors Rushcliffe Olympic, registering four without replying, Kial Thurman scoring twice alongside efforts from Tyler Beard, and substitute Brontae Wint; Cameron Thurgood was also at the double, his brace helping FC Sez to a 5-2 win away to Beeston, and Lewis Robertson did the same for Cotgrave as they edged a five-goal game at West Bridgford.

There was a number of high-scoring matches in the NSL Intermediate, Hucknall Town Reserves top-scoring with thirteen when away to FC Education, the trip to Melbourne Park proving somewhat fruitful for the visitors, and their three, hat-trick men – Aaron Lamb, Joe Butler, and substitute Ryan Butler, all notching trebles, Alexander Goodall bagging a brace for added measure.

Shirebrook Soldiers defeated visitors Ravenshead Reds 8-2 at the Model Village Sports Ground, and Bestwood Colliery won 6-0 away to Pass Move Grin Reserves – even the Junior Cup saw goals flowing, notably Wollaton Reserves, who defeated visitors Phoenix Inham Reserves 11-3, and South Notts, who saw off Yatesbury United 9-0.

Away from the cup competitions, there was also a plethora of league action for the fans to get stuck into, should they have desired so.

The Euro Soccer NSL Premier Division saw Ilkeston Town FCB go top on goal difference from Dunkirk, defeating visitors Wollaton 6-1, whilst Woodthorpe Park Rangers are third after they edged an eight-goal, home win, 5-3 against Sandiacre Town.

Keyworth United head up the chasing pack from fourth after they defeated lowly Aslockton & Orston 2-0 at home, Callum Wolloch and Adam Wright with the goals, whilst there was also a home win for Attenborough, Harry Bailey scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Bilborough Town.

Top Valley, with a game in hand, moved within two points of First Division leaders Gedling Southbank, following a comfortable, 7-0 win, away to second-bottom Pythian, Jacob Gunn registering a hat-trick, whilst there were further goals from David Gray, Joseph Gunn, and substitutes Josh Gardner and Sheldon Sharp.

Nottingham Community edged closer to the top of Division Two North, courtesy of a 6-2 win away to Arnold Town Reserves; notching three in each half, the Community Football Club outfit would see goals come from Lee Downer and Baba Cham, with two apiece, and solo strikes from both Kain Bell, and Moussa Sylla.

Victory would see them move within three points of leaders Bestwood (who were in cup action, with a game in hand, with a plethora of sides, five to be precise, bringing up the rear on six points apiece, two of whom also picked up wins on the road, FC Mansfield winning 4-0 at AFC Cresswell, and Netherfield Seniors 3-1 at Trent Vineyard.

The top four in Division Two South continue to boost their goal difference as Fenwood Foxes won 6-1 at West Bridgford Reserves, Keyworth United Reserves edged hosts Aslockton & Orston Reserves 3-1, East Leake Robins saw off visitors Elston United 9-1, and Bingham Town Reserves won 8-0 at Lord Bennington.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @southwellcityfc action between Southwell City and Bingham Town at Butt Field.