Netherton United stay top after a bonkers 10-goal game at the Grange, Yaxley lose their 10-goal thriller, but Stamford stay on course for promotion

The city side, who were 4-1 down at the break, were still 5-3 behind with 40 seconds of playing time remaining, but incredibly poached a point thanks to two Robbie Ellis strikes in front of a crowd swollen by the lack of activity elsewhere in the area.

“It was a weird game to be a part of,” Netherton manager Jon Harrison said. “I don’t think my lads will ever gift a team so many goals again, but when the ref says 40 secs left and you’re 5-3 down you have to be well happy to get a point and stay top.

“I genuinely felt we were the better side so at least deserved the point we got. We missed 3/4 sitters and hit the bar 3 times, but when that equaliser went in it felt like a win.

“Seeing some of the sad faces after the game just made things even better.”

A strong wind made life tough for defenders. Moulton overturned an early Netherton goal to take a big half-time lead and when Louis Steadman made it 5-3 midway through the second-half the reigning champions looked set to return to the top.

Marcus Parry and Ian Bradbury both scored twice for Harrox with Tom Randall, Chris Down and Antonio Del Russo joining Ellis on Netherton’s scoresheet.

Most of the local action was postponed because of waterlogged pitches including Peterborough Sports’ Southern League Premier Division Central game at Hitchin.

Yaxley hosted their Division One Central game on the artificial surface at the Decker Bus Stadium, but suffered a blow to their play-off chances in the second 10-goal thriller of the day.

Unfortunately visitors Barton Rovers scored six of them, four of them in the first-half and a late Yaxley rally proved too little too late.

But nothing can seemingly blow Stamford AFC off course in their promotion bid from the South East Division of the Northern Premier League.

A late penalty from Harry Vince sealed a 2-1 win over Worksop Town in front of over 400 fans at the Zeeco Stadium. Second-placed Stamford are now just five points behind long-time leaders Leek Town.

RESULTS

Saturday, February 29

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Division One Central: Yaxley 4 (Jarvis 2, Waumsley, Cotton), Barton Rovers 6.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

South East Division: Stamford AFC 2 (Vince, Chitiza), Worksop Town 1.

PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE

Premier Division: Netherton United 5 (Ellis 2, Randall, Down, Del Russo), Moulton Harrox 5 (Parry 2, Bradbury 2, Steadman); FC Parson rove 2, Ketton 0.