Two of the unbeaten clubs in the league lost their 100% starts in week 3 as Penistone Church, Harworth Colliery and Sherwood Colliery become the early pace setters in their respective divisions.

The weather wreaked havoc this week in the NMDFL claiming both games on Monday evening, the game on Tuesday evening and two of the games scheduled for Thursday. But most of our fixture list survived.

So, the action finally got underway on Wednesday evening and one of the early 100% records fell as unbeaten Harworth and Gainsborough met in the game of the week at Scrooby Road. Reigning champions Gainsborough lost for the first time in 15 league and cup outings dating back to December 2022 thanks to the late, late show from their hosts. A fantastic advert for the league saw Alex Gibbins grab the only goal of the game deep into stoppage time. Harworth have a perfect start of 3 wins from 3 games.

On Thursday evening Retford United also lost for the first time as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Bassetlaw rivals Worksop Town. The Tigers have the local bragging rights thanks to Ellis Bennett’s 3rd goal in 3 games and a strike from Rostyslav Yaremenko. Rounding off the action in the central division, Goole picked up their first win of the season thanks to a Thomas McDonald goal which was enough to beat Club Thorne, despite the visitors thinking they had equalised through Frank Watson only to see the goal chalked off by the linesman’s flag.

Elsewhere in the North division, Sam Hackett scored the only goal of the game as Penistone Church continued their 100% start to the season with a 1-0 win at home to Handsworth FC. Meanwhile Worsbrough Bridge picked up their 2nd win of the season with a 4-2 home victory against Thorncliffe Villa. It’s kept the Briggers 100% start to the season going. Lewis Easterbrook scored twice, Charlie Gill and Calum Smith also on the score sheet for the home club. Taylor Mansell and Bailey Wright replied for Thorncliffe.

And in the only game in the South Division, Sherwood Colliery made it two wins from two with a 4-2 victory on the road at Staveley. Callum Brown and Harrison Clark struck for the Trojans, with a double from Cameron Pinnock, Carter Widdowson and an own goal accounting for Sherwood’s tally.

This coming week, in the South, Long Eaton entertain Kimberley MW on Monday, Wednesday sees G3A travel to Rainworth Miners Welfare, with the hosts still pointless this season. Thursday sees Sherwood Colliery v Notts County at Debdale Park. Matlock v Staveley MW has been postponed as the Gladiators are unable to host the fixture.

In the North, Jubilee play at home for the first time as they host Worsbrough on Tuesday. Following this on Thursday night, Emley look to make it 3 wins from 3 as they visit Swallownest with the host looking to get their season up and running. Thorncliffe are also at home on Thursday, they host earlier leaders Penistone Church. The action is rounded off on Friday as two sides still looking for their first point meet at Olivers Mount with Handsworth taking on Dronfield Town.

The Central Division has to wait until Wednesday night to get underway, Dinnington Town looking for their first points of the season against Gainsborough. Thursday sees two games with Club Thorne at home to winless Retford FC and Harworth Colliery host Retford United in what may well be the game of the week. Worksop Town will look to make it 3 wins in a row when they host Goole on Friday night in the divisions final game of the week.