Where, oh where, does one begin, following an exciting day for Nottinghamshire’s flagship, non-league sides, on Easter Saturday?

Basford United picked up a big win in the Southern League Central Division, as did Carlton Town in the Northern Premier League East Division; the NPL East champions, Worksop Town, created history when stretching their unbeaten run to thirty-three matches, whilst in the United Counties leagues, Sherwood Colliery continued their push for a play-off berth in the Premier, with a win, as did Hucknall Town in Division One.

Ben Starkie netted the only goal of the game, early in the first half, as Basford collected all three points when on the road at Rushall Olympic, and Alex Troke’s late penalty helped Carlton win 2-1 at home to Consett, Niall Davie also netting, his coming early in the second.

Worksop meanwhile, a draw would see them break a fifty year record in the Northern Premier, the Tigers being held in the North-East as Liam Hughes’ goal, twenty minutes from time, cancelled out Richard Coulson’s first half opener, when at Dunston UTS, the game finishing in a 1-1 draw.

Sherwood Colliery, sitting sixth place in the UCL Premier, won 3-0 on the road Boston United, but are ten points adrift still of Sleaford, in fifth; Devon Smith afforded the Colliery side an early lead before Ethan Wiesztort doubled it early in the second period. The visitors had to wait until very late on to add a decisive third, Jobe Shaw firing home in stoppage time.

Eastwood CFC were the only other Notts side to come out of games in the Premier, unscathed, they being held in a 3-3 draw when at Belper, keeping their survival hopes alive, goals coming from Kamani Wilson, Tyler Blake, and Ferdinand Bartley.

Kimberley Miners Welfare, Newark & Sherwood United, and Selston, all conceded three in their respective losses, Kimberley losing 3-0 at home to Sleaford, Newark & Sherwood being felled by the same when at Loughborough Students, and Selston lost 3-1 against visiting Wisbech Town, Sean Gregory with an early goal for the hosts.

In Division One, fourth to seventh place is filled with Notts clubs, they all battling for a much-desired, play-off spot; Hucknall Town (fourth) won 1-0 at Dunkirk (ninth), thanks to a Craig Westcarr goal just before hour mark, Newark Town (fifth) were edged by leaders Aylestone Park 3-2 for whom Matthew Langham netted ten minutes from time, Radford (sixth) lost 2-0 at Saffron Dynamo, and Clipstone (seventh) edged visiting West Bridgford 2-1, Lewis Bingham and Luke Walker both netting for the hosts, Thomas Batterham replying.

Remaining results would see Gedling Miners Welfare win 2-1 at home to Kirby Muxloe, and Southwell City defeat visitors St Andrews 2-0, whilst Rainworth Miners Welfare were held to a goalless draw with Bourne Town; Clifton All Whites meanwhile were on the end of a five-goal thumping when home to Harrowby United.

The Northern Counties East Division One saw Retford edged by the odd goal in seven when at champions, Campion, Patrick Sykes with a brace for the table-toppers, Alex Wonham with two in reply alongside one for Jack Johnson.

Ollerton Town on the other-hand, they were put to the sword when hosting Selby Town; leading by just the five at the break, the visitors saw a trio of hat-tricks from that of Harry Clapham, Connor Qualter, and Liam Flanagan as they romped to a 13-0 success.

Mark West scored from the penalty spot as Central Midlands League Premier champions, Retford United, were held to a 1-1 draw with visitors Dinnington Town, a game which saw the highlight being that of home defender, Daniel Booth, getting himself all in a tangle – credit to him though, he kept the ball in play, even if he didn’t stay that way….

The CML South saw Joshua Melville score twice in Linby Colliery Welfare’s 3-1 win away to Holbrook St Michael’s, and Liam Black was also at the double as Arnold Town won 3-0 at Mickleover Reserves, Teversal lost 3-1 at Derby Singh Brothers as Cameron Pinnick netted, Mansfield Hosiery Mills narrowly lost at Mickleover RBL, and Nottingham were dismantled when hosting Clay Cross Town.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, six points currently separate the top five sides, Keyworth United leading the way with 58 points, and Sandiacre Town a point behind on 57; Stapleford Town, in fifth, have between five and ten games in hand on those above them in the table following Saturday’s results.

Stapleford saw off the challenge on the leaders, defeating them 2-0 at home, third place Woodthorpe Park Rangers defeated visitors Aslockton & Orston 4-1, Basford CFC saw off Borrowash Victoria 5-0, and Awsworth Victoria won 6-0 away to Ravenshead.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Basfordutdfc relief for Basford after Ben Starkie’s winner eased relegation fears.