Ryan Smith’s eight-goal haul helped Keyworth United lead the Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division by three on Saturday afternoon, although sides beneath them have a number of games in hand.

At home to FC Cavaliers, Keyworth went nap, registering ten without reply as Ian Marley and Simon Hore also netted for the league leaders, but they’re keeping close watch on those beneath then as that of Sandiacre Town, Stapleford Town, Southwell City, and Woodthorpe Park Rangers, are all in with a chance.

Of those four sides chasing top spot, Sandiacre would be held to a goalless draw when away to Ravenshead, Stapleford edged visitors Attenborough 1-0, whilst Southwell City won 4-2 at home to Woodthorpe with Calum Law notching a brace, including a penalty, to keep up the pressure.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Wollaton saw off visitors Aslockton & Orston 5-1, Archie Wood scoring twice alongside goals from Ryan Pearson, Joe Philips and Liam Taylor, and Cotgrave won 2-0 at home to Bilborough Town, Sam Brakewell and Lucus Cotterill with the goals.

West Bridgford continue to lead Division One after a 3-2 home win against Kirton Brickworks kept them five ahead of Radcliffe Olympic (inactive) in second, whilst there was to be further goal-fests at Gedling Southbank, and Stapleford (Reserves).

Fourth place Top Valley continued their charge for a possible title finale (they’re fourth, with five in hand, and seventeen adrift of the leaders), winning 10-2 at Gedling, Joseph Gunn firing five and Josh Gardner two, whilst Stapleford’s second string bested everyone, hitting shell-shocked Calverton Miners Welfare for fourteen without reply, Letissier Flemmings with a double hat-trick and Bradley Scard a hat-trick.

Seven goals were also registered at Meden Vale as the Colts came out on top of a seven-goal thriller when home to FC Geordie, Nick Westerman bagging a brace for the victors.

The title race in Division Two North has taken on a slightly different complexion of late, and after leaders Bestwood Colliery saw off Nottingham Community on Saturday, claiming a 4-0 home win, they now lead from Shirebrook Soldiers, who’ve sneaked into second with a 4-1 road win at Blidworth Welfare Red.

Bestwood would see goals come from Jake Fisher, Macauley Tinsley, Ryan Tinsley, and Zak Coburn to keep themselves both clear of the chasing pack, and with games in hand (on Nott’m Comms); Shirebrook meanwhile moved second on goal difference, Ben Charlesworth scoring twice alongside efforts from Keane Darby, and Owen Biddle.

Nathan Bell also doubled in for Division Two South leaders, East Leake Robins, as they won 5-1 away to Burton Joyce Senior Blue, and remain eight clear of second place AC United, and with games in hand on the rest of top five, and Foundation Division, lowly Manor pulled off a shock result when defeating visitors Sutton Travellers 2-1, Carlton Town Lions leading the division by three from South Notts.

The other match, which would see some ten goals netted, came in the NSL Senior Cup competition, Clifton All Whites winning 6-4 away to Awsworth Villa to reach the semi-finals, Tanya Magya and Lewis Williams with a brace apiece, Kevin Pablo and Martin Bassley for the victors, with Morgan Bell, Steven Bonel, Tristan Comery and Sam Mellors replying for the hosts.

Updated cup fixtures (including dates) for the Notts Senior League as follows –

Notts FA Senior Trophy (semi-finals) – Retford United vs. Awsworth Villa; Ruddington Village vs. Newark Town (09.04.22)

NSL Senior Cup (semi-finals) – Dunkirk vs. Southwell City (12.04.22); Clifton All Whites vs. Stapleford Town (20.04.22)

NSL Intermediate Cup (semi-final) – Fenwood Foxes vs. Shirebrook Soldiers (02.04.22; winner plays Bestwood Colliery in the final)

NSL Junior Cup (semi-finals) – Dunkirk Development vs Southwell Development; AFC Bull Farm vs. Stapleford Development (02.04.22)

NSL Development Cup (final) – Basford United Development vs. Dunkirk Development (07.05.22)

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @robhornby action between Wollaton and Aslocton & Orston at the WSA.