Deeping Rangers and Blackstones have secured survival, Stamford AFC are almost there, but it looks bleak for Bourne Town
Deeping Rangers secured safety in the United Counties Premier Division North in their final match of a tough campaign.
Brett Whaley’s boys beat play-off bound Newark Town 1-0 at the Haydon Whitham Stadium on Saturday to move clear of the relegation zone. Spencer Tinkler scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute.
And neighbours Blackstones joined them in confirming Premier Division North status after rivans Heanor Town were beaten 4-0 at home by AFC Mansfield on Sunday.
Stones had done their bit 24 hours earlier by forcing an excellent 2-2 home draw with second-placed Sherwood Colliery. Stones trailed at the break before Josh Sennett equalised 10 minutes into the second-half. The visitors re-took the lead only for Callum Davies to make it 2-2 three minutes from time.
Yaxley must look over their shoulders in the Premier Division South for another week after losing 1-0 at home to GNG Oadby today. ‘The Cuckoos’ are three points above the bottom two with one game to play at home to mid-table Eynesbury Rovers next Saturday, while rivals Bugbrooke St Michaels have matches against two of the top three on Wednesday and then next weekend.
Stamford AFC need four points from their final three games to complete their ‘great escape’ in the Southern Premier Division Central after a 0-0 Saturday draw at Bury Town. ‘The Daniels’ are at home to mid-table Banbury United on Tuesday (April 14, 7.4pm kick off).
Spalding United require two points from two games to secure home advantage in the play-offs, but they are in stuttering form. ‘The Tulips’ went down 3-1 at home to Stratford Town on the day Harborough Town clinched the title. Ben Fowkes scored for Spalding.
FC Peterborough warmed up for their upcoming play-off semi-final in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League with a 7-0 romp at AFC Sudbury Reserves. Vitor Vaz scored twice with Derrick Dadzie, Modou Gaye, Michael Goncalves, Adiz Aziz abd David Yisah also on target.
Whittlesey Athletic were thumped 6-1 at home by leaders King’s Park Rangers. Scott Waumsley claimed the consolation goal.
Peterborough Sports lost their final home game of the National League North season, 3-2 to AFC Telford United.
Bourne Town went down 2-1 at home to second-placed Carlton Town in the Northern Premier Midlands Division. The winning goal arrived in added time after Zak Allen had equalised from the penalty spot. ‘The Wakes’ are five points from safety with two matches to go so they need to win them both and hope for favours elsewhere.
SATURDAY RESULTS
National League North: Peterborough Sports 2 (Felix, Booth), AFC Telford United 3.
Southern Premier Division Central: Bury Town 0, Stamford AFC 0; Spalding United 1 (Fowkes), Stratford Town 3.
Northern Premier Midlands Division: Bourne Town 1 (Allen), Carlton Town 2.
United Counties Premier Division North: Blackstones 2 (Sennett, Davies), Sherwood Colliery 2; Deeping Rangers 1 (Tinkler), Newark Town 0 Belper United 2, Wisbech Town 0.
United Counties Premier Division South: Lutterworth Town 0, March Town 0; Yaxley 0, GNG Oadby Town 1.
Thurlow Nunn Division One: AFC Sudbury Res 0, FC Peterborough 7 (Vaz 2, Dadzie, Yisah, Gaye, Goncalves, Azi); Holbeach United 0, Framlingham Town 6; Whittlesey Athletic 1 (Waumsley), King’s Park Rangers 6; Wivenhoe 3, FC Parson Drove 2.