With only three games played in the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, including wins for Stapleford Town and Awsworth Villa, the former defeating FC Cavaliers 3-2, the latter claiming a 4-0 success at Wollaton, attention is focussing on the top end of Division One, and whether those at AFC Top Valley can close the gap on the leaders, West Bridgford.

Presently sat in fourth place, Top Valley are sixteen points off the top spot, but have at least six games in hand on those above them, and romped to victory at the weekend when they won 7-1 away to mid-table Beeston Old Boys Association.

Substitutes Samuel Atkin and Josh Gardner would both find themselves doubling up to push the goal-difference onto +32 from their fifteen league outings whilst there was also goals from Luke Gregory, Joseph Gunn and Kane Pearson, Patrick Bointon with the consolation and the victors leading 2-0 at the break.

Radford Reserves were the only other side from the top five in action, they winning 1-0 at home to Beeston, whilst sixth place Hucknall Town Reserves romped to an 8-2 home win over bottom club Calverton Miners Welfare, Jentzen Davies firing a four-goal salvo, Daniel Farmer and Thomas Jeffries with the consolations.

Elsewhere in Division One Blaise Duruaku scored all three of Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves’ goals as they defeated visiting Kirton Brickworks 3-1, FC Geordie won 3-0 at Ruddington Village, and Southwell City Reserves saw off Meden Vale Colts 4-2 to maintain hopes of a top ten finish.

Highlights action from Wollaton’s defeat at home to Awsorth Villa. Grassroot T.V

Division Two North looks likes it is heading to the wire with ten points splitting the top four sides Bestwood Colliery (41, played 16), Nottingham Community (38, played 17), Shirebrook Soldiers (33, played 16), FC Mansfield (31, played 16).

At the weekend Ryan Tinsley would score the only goal as Bestwood defeated visitors Trent Vineyard 1-0, and Nottingham Community were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ravenshead Reds and FC Mansfield lost 3-2 away to Arnold Town Reserves.

Meanwhile, the East Leake Robins title charge in Division Two South shows no signs of abating and hold a twelve point advantage over second place Bingham Town Reserves, who have a game in hand.

East Leake claimed an 8-2 home win over AFC Colsterworth Sports & Social, their sixteenth win of the campaign (and one draw from eighteen, goal-difference stands at +91) with Mason Ball firing four alongside goals from Nathan Ball, James Dalton, Thomas Hardy and Joe Palmer, Thomas Figura scored a brace in reply.

As for the Foundation Division Carlton Town Lions lead South Notts by six, after both picked up sizable successes, whilst AFC Bull Farm lead the chasing pack including Stapleford Town Development and Sutton Travellers, from third place.

Aaron Sisson was at the double for the leaders after they saw off Bull Farm 4-0, Joshua Brown and Bailey Kilcullen also netting, whilst South Notts won 8-4 away to sixth place AFC Rufford, Ruggero Osei with four and Remel White two; victory for the South Notts keeps them within touching distance, and with two games in hand.

The NSL cup semi-final draws have also, recently been made, with the following for that of their Senior, Intermediate, and Junior competitions (dates TBC)

• Senior Cup – Dunkirk vs. Southwell City; Awsworth Villa/Clifton AW vs. Stapleford Town
• Intermediate Cup – Bestwood Colliery vs. East Leake Robins; Fenwood Foxes vs. Shirebrook Soldiers
• Junior Cup – Dunkirk Development vs. Southwell City Development; AFC Bull Farm vs. Stapleford Town Development

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Grassroot_TV action from Wollaton against Awsworth Villa.