Eastwood Community are through to the second-round proper of the Isuzu FA Vase where they’ll next host Lincoln United after a 2-0 win at Stapenhill on Saturday.

The United Counties Premier Division North title chasers beat the Staffordshire based Midland League outfit with second half goals from Craig Westcarr and Tyler Blake.

It was a good weekend for the Red Badgers who’s title rivals Lincoln United were beaten 6-2 at Ashby Ivanhoe in the league so Managers Darryl Thomas & Martin Ball will have high hopes of closing in on the table toppers with a game in hand and just two points to make up.

Eastwood host third placed AFC Mansfield on Tuesday night knowing a win can take them top.

Mansfield have been going strong this season and won’t be a pushover for Eastwood in what looks like being an entertaining derby at Coronation Park. The Bulls won 2-1 at Sleaford over the weekend with goals from Ryan Ingram and a late winner from Cian Owen Zamboglu who cancelled out Ben Robson’s 61^st minute opener.

Back in the Vase, Newark Town beat Belper United 2-1 to also reach the second round as Luke Anderson scored a last-minute winner to add to Sean Woolley’s earlier effort. Newark will host Lichfield City next.

Both Hucknall Town and Newark & Sherwood suffered agonising losses on penalties in their FA Vase games to Heanor Town and Clay Cross respectively. Hucknall’s game ending 1-1 after 90 minutes whilst Newark & Sherwood drew 2-2 before losing 5-4 on spot kicks.

In the United Counties Division One, leaders Clipstone were held to a 2-2 draw at Dunkirk who played for most of the match with ten men after Callum Orange was sent off in the opening half an hour. The Boatmen had already taken the lead through Max Taylor but Clipstone levelled through Craig Mitchell on 55. George Scott scored an unlikely second for Dunkirk but Gareth Curtis levelled again to save the Cobras blushes for a point.

Elsewhere, there were wins for high flying Gedling MW at Rainworth (3-1) and Retford United at home to Southwell City (4-0) whilst West Bridgford earned a much needed three points at fellow strugglers Selston, winning 1-0 with a late Isaac Morledge goal which keeps them out of the relegation zone, finally Radford drew with Blackstones 1-1, pegged back after Jevin Seaton’s early strike they also finished the game with ten men after Travis Munn was sent off midway through the second half.

In the Northern Premier League it wasn’t a great weekend for our clubs with all four beaten.

Worksop Town slipped to a 4-2 home defeat against Hebburn Town whilst Basford United lost at Matlock Town 3-2.

In Division One East, Sherwood Colliery lost 2-0 at Heaton Stannington whilst a terrible weekend for Carlton Town saw them lose 4-0 at Emley, but a much bigger loss for the Millers family came through the news of club president Roger Smith passing away, a true legend at the Bill Stokeld Stadium and a man who dedicated over 20 years at the football club, will be sadly lost to the beautiful game of local non-league football, another great character who lived and breathed the sport, who certainly won’t be forgotten.

*Main image @EastwoodCFCV2 Craig Westcarr in action for Eastwood at Stapenhill.