Evo-Stik Round-Up 30
By Ray Simpson
Darlington closed the gap on league leaders Blyth Spartans to just four points with three games in h...
Despite disruption with travel leading to a late kick-off and enforced changes to the starting line-up Darlington were able to continue their momentum with a 4-1 win at Stamford on Tuesday. Gary Brown, Terry Galbraith, Graeme Armstrong and Nathan Cartman scored the goals for the Quakers.
Over 2,000 fans attended Nantwich Town’s FA trophy semi-final first leg where they hosted FC Halifax Town. Unfortunately for Nantwich they fell to a 4-2 home defeat. Scott McManus, Wade Fairhurst and a double from Jordan Burrow doing the damage for Halifax. Sean Cooke and Matthew Kosylo’s goals gave Nantwich hope they can still get something in the second leg.
Blyth Spartans recent wobble continued, as they lost 1-0 at home to Halesowen Town, Tyree Clarke scoring the only goal of the game in the 35th minute.
Salford City are third despite a 3-1 defeat at Skelmersdale United on Saturday. Max Hazeldine scored a hat-trick for the hosts, Danny Webber had at one point levelled for Salford from the penalty spot.
Salford were able to bounce back on Tuesday night, winning 1-0 at Halesowen Town thanks to a second half goal from Richard Allen.
Workington helped their case for a play-off place with a comfortable 3-0 win at Ilkeston. Anthony Wright opened the scoring for Workington, before a double from Scott Allison sealed the win.
Stourbridge remain fifth despite two draws this week, they were held at home by Frickley Athletic on Saturday. Luke Hinsley had given Frickley the lead in the first half. However, Stourbridge were able to rescue a point when Karl Hawley scored in the first minute of the second half.
On Tuesday Stourbridge found themselves surprisingly 2-0 down away to Grantham Town thanks to a double from Lee Shaw, before goals from Hawley and Daniel Scarr earned the visitors a point.
Barwell fell to defeat on Saturday against another team with playoff ambitions, Ashton United. Craig Lindfield and Martin Pilkington scored the goals in a 2-0 win for Ashton United.
Barwell lost again on Tuesday this time at Rushall Olympic. Alex Reid and Jack Duggan scored the goals either side of half time in a 2-0 win for Rushall.
Ashton United missed the chance to jump into the playoff places on Tuesday night, as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Frickley Athletic.
Ramsbottom United are running out of time to survive relegation, but they were able to gain a point at home to Grantham Town in a 2-2 draw. Ashley Stott and Aaron Smith had twice given Ramsbottom the lead, but an own goal from Philip Edghill and another from Rhys Lewis earned a draw for Grantham.
Ramsbottom were then comfortably beaten 4-1 at home by Nantwich Town on Tuesday night. Matthew Bailey, Elliot Osborne, Stephen Jones and Joshua Gordon scored the goals for Nantwich, with Kevin McGrath scoring the consolation for Ramsbottom.
Whitby picked up a huge win in their survival bid, as they beat fellow strugglers Colwyn Bay 2-0. David McTiernan and Andrew McWilliams both scored goals in the first half to seal the points.
Colwyn were though able to win away from home on Tuesday night at Mickleover Sports, 2-1. Adam Morgan gave the welsh side the lead, before Jake Bennett levelled for Mickleover. However, Jack Kelleher scored a crucial winner for Colwyn with 15 minutes to go.
Earlier in the week third bottom Mickleover had been made to settle for a draw against Marine. Andre Olukanmi gave Mickleover the lead shortly after the interval, only for Liam Willis to earn a 1-1 draw for Marine.
Stamford are just outside the relegation zone, before their defeat against Darlington they also lost at Buxton, 3-1. Chris Salt gave Buxton the lead, before Jake Newman levelled for Stamford. However, Stamford would take nothing home from the game after a late double from Bradley Barraclough.
Buxton won again on Tuesday night, this time at Marine, 2-1. Niall Doran and Spencer Harris scored Buxton’s goals with Chris Sharp scoring for Marine.
Hyde United are not yet safe after defeat at home to Sutton Coldfield Town. Scott Spencer had given Hyde the lead from the penalty spot, but goals from Joel Kettle and a stoppage time strike from Ryan Edmunds saw Sutton come away with a 2-1 win.
Darlington face another two tough fixtures this week. First on Saturday we host Rushall Olympic, before travelling to Nantwich Town on Tuesday night. Elsewhere league leaders Blyth Spartans host Matlock Town.
Fixtures 19th March
Premier Division
Barwell v Ashton United
Blyth Spartans v Matlock Town
Colwyn Bay v Grantham Town
Darlington v Rushall Olympic
Hyde United v Skelmersdale United
Ilkeston FC v Halesowen Town
Mickleover Sports v Ramsbottom United
Salford City v Sutton Coldfield Town
Stamford v Marine
Whitby Town v Buxton
Workington v Stourbridge
FA Trophy semi-final second leg
FC Halifax Town v Nantwich Town