Lock down break by Stan Wilton

AROUND THE COUNTIES
By STAN WILTON
Midweek to 4th November 2020

Six games played in midweek means six less fixtures to pull in when we come out of lockdown – if indeed we do before it is impossible to finish the season.
East Midlands Counties League football is watched by over a thousand spectators each week, and if most are like me they will be chomping at the bit for the worst of the pandemic to go away. Meantime, lets all try to stay safe.
The top-of-the-table clash at Bridge Street drew a crowd of 139 to see Jack Tyson’s 79th minute goal separate the teams and send BELPER UNITED into second place in the table and relegate EASTWOOD COMMUNITY from top of the pile to third.
OLLERTON TOWN left it late to keep up their challenge for the title when goals from Ben Partridge in the 89th minute and Conor Green just a minute later set them up for a 2-0 win over WEST BRIDGFORD.
TEVERSAL’s winning run came to another abrupt end when they lost their second successive game at SHIREBROOK TOWN by the odd goal of three. They went ahead though just after the half hour mark with a goal from Tom Widdowson, but two goals in five minutes in the period immediately before the interval from Conor Roberts and Luke Manlove changed the destination of the three points as neither side could find the net in the second half.
The best away win of the week saw GEDLING MINERS WELFARE win 4-1 at much improved BARROW TOWN. Courtney Hastings and Charlie Roberts put the visitors into a commanding situation before the break and two second half goals from Rueben Wiggin-Thomas extended the advantage with Gideon Donkor pulling one back between these latter two strikes for the Riversiders.
HUCKNALL TOWN drew a crowd of 207 for their home game against KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE and the paying customers saw a thrilling seven goal encounter which included three penalties. Grant Ryan top scored with a hat trick, which included two from the penalty spot and Isaac Stones replied with a brace which included one from the spot. Joe Butler’s brace, one in each half, helped increase Hucknall’s 3-2 interval lead into a final 5-2 victory.
Michael Tuck put INGLES ahead in their home game against DUNKIRK after just five minutes. But the Boatmen hit back to take a lead into the interval with them thanks to goals from Jack Jepson in 26 minutes and Jesse Vowles thirteen minutes later. Parity was restored by Bill Snaith’s 78th minute leveller and both sides settled for a point.