Blackstones secure vital victory as Deeping Rangers are dragged into the relegation dogfight, controversial defeat for Stamford AFC
Blackstones ended an 11-game run without a win at Ashby Ivanhoe on Tuesday night to give themselves hope of avoiding relegation in the United Counties Premier Division North.
The Stamford-based Stones fell behind seven minutes before the break at their fellow strugglers, but quickfire goals from Callum Davies and Nathan Rudman had them in front by the break and it stayed 2-1 until the final whistle.
Blackstones remain next-to-bottom – two teams go down – and a point behind Ivanhoe who sit just outside the drop zone and have two games in hand on Jon Harrison’s side.
Other are also within reach though including Deeping Rangers who conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes to Luke Harris and Sam Bennett as Wisbech Town left the Haydon Whitham Stadium with a 2-1 win. A Spencer Tinkler goal had given Deeping a half-time lead to a team now just five points above Stones.
Stamford AFC’s quest to leave the Southern Premier Division Central drop zone turned on a controversial penalty and red card decision at Stratford Town last night.
Goals from Leon Lobjoit and Kai Sanchez-Tonge had fired ‘The Daniels’ into a 2-1 lead early in the second-half when centre-back Charlie Marzano was adjudged to have conceded a penalty. He picked up a yellow card for the challenge and another one for contesting the decision and the hosts converted the spot-kick before going on to win 4-2.
Stamford are a point from safety after relegation rivals St Ives picked up a 1-1 draw at Alvechurch.
At the other end of the table Harborough Town moved six points clear of Spalding United at the top after a 2-2 draw at third-placed Real Bedford. Both teams now have six matches to play.
There were minor boosts for Peterborough Sports last night as other National League North relegation candidates Alfreton Town, Hereford United and Leamington all lost. The relegation of bottom club Leamington, who host Sports on Saturday, was confirmed by a 5-2 home defeat by King’s Lynn Town.
Sports actually moved up a place on goal difference without playing, but are still five points from safety with just six games to go, and have played more games than most of the teams around them.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
National League North: Leamington v Peterborough Sports.
Southern Premier Division Central: Spalding United v Bromsgrove Sporting; Stamford AFC v Bishop’s Stortford.
Northern Premier Midlands Division: Wellingborough Town v Bourne Town.
Thurlow Nunn Division One North: Diss Town v Holbeach Utd; FC Parson Drove v King’s Park Rangers; FC Peterborough v Haverhill Borough; Stanway Pegasus v Whittlesey Athletic.
United Counties Premier Division North: Deeping Rangers v Melton Town; Gresley Rovers v Wisbech Town; Kimberley Miners Welfare v Blackstones.
United Counties Premier Division South: Daventry Town v Yaxley; Sileby Rangers v March Town.