Pressure on at top and bottom

With the Newark Alliance reaching its conclusion, in the words of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s getting to “squeaky bum time” as the games run out for the title-chasers and those looking to avoid relegation.

Last Tuesday night Coddington kept the pressure on at the top of the Senior Division with a comprehensive 13-0 victory over relegated Holy Trinity.

Four goals from set-piece specialist Scott Grierson, a hat-trick from Christopher Self, two goals from Joe Sharp and Alistair Cook and one apiece from Kristian Fardell and Robert Walker ensured they go into the final week looking for that vital win that could see them take the title on goal difference.

On the same night in Division Two Malt Shovel were beaten 9-2 at home by Barkestone Le Vale.

Three players bagged hat-tricks for the visitors with Cameron Corkett, Samuel Garner and Tom Coleman all helping themselves to a trio of strikes.

Ashley Dearlove and Sam Jordan netted for the home side.

On Thursday 3B FC fell to a 2-1 defeat to Newark Flowserve Reserves — Tom Munton scored for the home side and Adam Britten and Ben Boughtwood netted for the visitors.

Three goals from Fernwood’s Zak Ashmore ensured his side came out on top of a nine-goal thriller at AFC Vodafone.

James Cottier, Lewis Hind and Nicholas Widdowson all netted as the visitors bagged six, but Alex Abraham (2) and Gavin James made it a tense game with goals for Vodafone.

On Sunday Senior Division strugglers The Villa and Castle Barge battled it out, with the visitors snatching a narrow 3-2 win.

Mark Sauve and Nathan Webb scored for the hosts while Adam Foster bagged a brace and James Stafford rounded off the scoring.

Division One basement boys Wheatsheaf United Reserves secured a battling point at Claypole thanks to a Mike Brown strike. James Dobb scored the only goal for the home side.

Five players got their names on the scoresheet as third-placed Watermill battered Castle Barge Reserves 5-1.

Jordan Allen, Aaron Pride, Craig Jackson, Gareth Shatwell and Patrick Ryan scored for the home side in reply the Barge’s only goal of the game, which was an own goal.

In Division One Sutton-on-Trent also had five different scorers as they beat Farndon United Reserves 5-3.

James Proctor, Max Gray, Dale Kniveton, Adam Tatt and Nick Johnson scored for Sutton with Rory Lewis, Joe Hurst and Sam Bennett scoring for the away side.

In the shock of the day in Division Two top-of-the-table The Fox (Kirton) were beaten by mid-table Fernwood 2-0 at home — Fernwood’s goalscorers were Darryl Leonard and Zak Ashmore.

RHP Social A and 3B FC played out a 3-3 draw as 3B finished their season off with a point.

Lewis Tinsley, Ronnie Kennedy and Ben Hawker scored for Social with Luke Boddy, Ricki O’Connell and Damian Meanwell scoring for the visitors.

Collingham Reserves and Hobgoblin Bedlams drew 2-2.

David Taylor and Mark Hulse scored for the away side with Elliott Walters and Daniel Smith netting for the home side.

AFC Vodafone climbed to fifth with a 2-1 victory over ninth-placed Malt Shovel.

Oliver Gee and Alex Bosworth scored for AFC. Tomas Jordan replied for the visitors.