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Saturday's South Division final day review
The final day of the regular EVO-STIK League South season on Saturday had the last play-off spot to determine, top six positioning and the relegation situation, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Stamford AFC secured their place in the play-offs with a 1-0 home win over Cleethorpes Town in a nail-biting day at the Zeeco Stadium.
Needing a point to secure a top six spot, a dramatic turn of events swung the match in the Daniels’ favour in front of a crowd of 442. Stamford `keeper Dan Haystead produced a fine penalty save to deny Danny North five minutes into the second half before the home side broke the deadlock five minutes later when sub Kieran Wells headed home with his first touch of the ball.
Stamford will be away to Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night in the play-off semi-final after the Blues finished in third place.
Despite having three points docked earlier in the season, Frickley were already assured of third spot but kept their momentum going, despite manager Spencer Fearn fielding a young side, with a 1-0 Westfield Lane win over Sheffield FC, courtesy of a 24th minute George Milner effort, pictured.
Bedworth United will host Chasetown in the other semi-final after both also won Saturday to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
The Greenbacks beat Carlton Town 3-1 at the Oval, thanks to a Dan Fletcher own goal after 38 minutes, a Richard Blythe goal right on half-time and a Levi Rowley effort 10 minutes after the break – Kieran Walker replying 11 minutes from time.
The Scholars inflicted only a fourth defeat of the season on runaway champions Basford United – and in style – hammering the Nottinghamshire side 5-0.
The title-winners seemed to be already on the beach as the home side raced into a 3-0 interval lead with goals from Ryan Wynter after just three minutes, a Jack Langston penalty 18 minutes later and Will Whieldon six minutes before the break.
A second Langston spot-kick 12 minutes into the second half made it 4-0 and Langston completed his hat-trick from open play 7 minutes from time.
At the other end of the table, Romulus, who have been around the bottom two for the majority of the season, are going back to the feeder leagues after finishing bottom following their 1-1 draw at Kidsgrove Athletic. Second-bottom Market Drayton Town`s 5-0 hammering of fourth-bottom Gresley FC and Newcastle Town`s 2-0 win against Belper Town took them clear of the Roms.
Cameron Lee gave Romulus the lead immediately after half-time at The Novus Stadium but Tim Sanders equalised virtually straight from the restart. Roms couldn`t find a winner, so it didn`t really matter what happened in Shropshire or Staffordshire.
The inexperienced Moatmen crashed to a heavy defeat in which Chris Knowles bagged a late brace after Dan Beddows, Jud Ellis and Joe Cuff had scored earlier goals for the hosts.
Rod Orlando-Young and Aaron Bott scored the second half goals to ensure Newcastle`s status at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
Leek Town frustratingly fell just short of a top six spot in seventh following a 2-0 Harrison Park win over Stocksbridge Park Steels, thanks to Tim Grice after 47 minutes and Sam Grimshaw on 66 minutes.
Peterborough Sports finished their first season at this level with a 2-0 home win over 'neighbours' Corby Town with goals, ironically, from former Steelmen Josh Moreman and Avelino Viera in the first half.
Phil Watt's 81st minute goal earned Lincoln United derby success at Ashby Avenue against Spalding United, while runners-up Alvechurch suffered a 3-2 Lye Meadow defeat to Loughborough Dynamo in their final game, despite taking a 17th minute lead through David Bellis.
Dan Gordon levelled two minutes later and then Tolani Omatola put Dynamo in front on the half-hour mark. Jordan Nadat pulled `Church level midway through the second half, but Luke Thorogood`s 81st minute effort ensured a good finish to the season for the Leicestershire side.
Images courtesy of Onionbag Photography/Frickley Athletic
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Needing a point to secure a top six spot, a dramatic turn of events swung the match in the Daniels’ favour in front of a crowd of 442. Stamford `keeper Dan Haystead produced a fine penalty save to deny Danny North five minutes into the second half before the home side broke the deadlock five minutes later when sub Kieran Wells headed home with his first touch of the ball.
Stamford will be away to Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night in the play-off semi-final after the Blues finished in third place.
Despite having three points docked earlier in the season, Frickley were already assured of third spot but kept their momentum going, despite manager Spencer Fearn fielding a young side, with a 1-0 Westfield Lane win over Sheffield FC, courtesy of a 24th minute George Milner effort, pictured.
Bedworth United will host Chasetown in the other semi-final after both also won Saturday to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
The Greenbacks beat Carlton Town 3-1 at the Oval, thanks to a Dan Fletcher own goal after 38 minutes, a Richard Blythe goal right on half-time and a Levi Rowley effort 10 minutes after the break – Kieran Walker replying 11 minutes from time.
The Scholars inflicted only a fourth defeat of the season on runaway champions Basford United – and in style – hammering the Nottinghamshire side 5-0.
The title-winners seemed to be already on the beach as the home side raced into a 3-0 interval lead with goals from Ryan Wynter after just three minutes, a Jack Langston penalty 18 minutes later and Will Whieldon six minutes before the break.
A second Langston spot-kick 12 minutes into the second half made it 4-0 and Langston completed his hat-trick from open play 7 minutes from time.
At the other end of the table, Romulus, who have been around the bottom two for the majority of the season, are going back to the feeder leagues after finishing bottom following their 1-1 draw at Kidsgrove Athletic. Second-bottom Market Drayton Town`s 5-0 hammering of fourth-bottom Gresley FC and Newcastle Town`s 2-0 win against Belper Town took them clear of the Roms.
Cameron Lee gave Romulus the lead immediately after half-time at The Novus Stadium but Tim Sanders equalised virtually straight from the restart. Roms couldn`t find a winner, so it didn`t really matter what happened in Shropshire or Staffordshire.
The inexperienced Moatmen crashed to a heavy defeat in which Chris Knowles bagged a late brace after Dan Beddows, Jud Ellis and Joe Cuff had scored earlier goals for the hosts.
Rod Orlando-Young and Aaron Bott scored the second half goals to ensure Newcastle`s status at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
Leek Town frustratingly fell just short of a top six spot in seventh following a 2-0 Harrison Park win over Stocksbridge Park Steels, thanks to Tim Grice after 47 minutes and Sam Grimshaw on 66 minutes.
Peterborough Sports finished their first season at this level with a 2-0 home win over 'neighbours' Corby Town with goals, ironically, from former Steelmen Josh Moreman and Avelino Viera in the first half.
Phil Watt's 81st minute goal earned Lincoln United derby success at Ashby Avenue against Spalding United, while runners-up Alvechurch suffered a 3-2 Lye Meadow defeat to Loughborough Dynamo in their final game, despite taking a 17th minute lead through David Bellis.
Dan Gordon levelled two minutes later and then Tolani Omatola put Dynamo in front on the half-hour mark. Jordan Nadat pulled `Church level midway through the second half, but Luke Thorogood`s 81st minute effort ensured a good finish to the season for the Leicestershire side.
Images courtesy of Onionbag Photography/Frickley Athletic
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague
