A LATE, great hat-trick goal for Fraser Sturgess earned Netherton Vultures a draw against second-placed Werrington Athletic in Division One.

Sturgess' jinking run through the heart of Werrington's defence ended with the young striker rifling the ball into the back of the net to make the score 4-4 and nick a vital point.

And had they taken one of the late chances to add to Fraser's haul and the goal scored by Dion Semmbie-Ferris, the Vultures could even have been celebrating only their second win of the season.

Had Denon Starkey's late drive not carried on rising and shaved the wrong side of the crossbar it would have been three points instead of one according to Vultures assistant boss Derek McNally.

He said: "We had to work so hard for that point and it would have been great if Denon's shot had gone in as it deserved to but I think a draw was a fair result overall.

"It just goes to show how competitive this league is that we had such a close scrap with a team second in the league. On the day any team can beat anybody else.

"The boys played some nice football and if we can keep that up I am sure we can start picking up the odd win. We are also still in the PFA Cup and the League Cup, where we face Peterborough Boys in both, and we definitely fancy our chances of getting through there."

Lewis Archer (2), Kane Gilbert and Kieran Holmes-Darby were the Werrington goal scorers.



THERE were comfortable wins for the top two sides in Division Two.

Leaders Northborough beat Thorney 6-1 thanks to a hat-trick by Evan Ladley and goals for Jordan Graham, Alex Mantaleris and Adam Edwards while second-placed Langtoft made short work of Park Farm.

Five goals for Scott Richardson and one apiece for Ed Nation and Ben Cowles tied up a 7-2 success for Paul Showler's side.



GLINTON Black exacted a piece of derby day revenge with a 1-0 win against Glinton Orange in Division Three.

Having been walloped 7-0 at the start of the season, Ken Bandy's side were keen to set the record straight and thanks to Matt Rostron's superb first-half goal they did.

The win puts the Blacks up to fourth, just four points behind their stablemates and Bandy hopes his boys can overhaul them before too long.

He said: "It was a cracking game of football but I think in the end we just wanted it a bit more than they did after the result last time.

"We did not do ourselves justice that day but on Sunday I thought we were excellent and Matt's goal was certainly worthy of winning any game.

"He tricked his way past three defenders and fired in an excellent drive which the keeper had no chance with.

"It is really starting to come together for us now and I am convinced we can go past Orange in the league if we can keep putting performances together like the one on Sunday."