Sunday 22nd September

The first set of fixtures took place in the NAPIT LEAGUE on Sunday since the shock announcement regarding the sudden death of league stalwart Ken Searson earlier in the week. Ken, who was the referees secretary for the league, had been involved with the league for almost thirty years in various capacities and was highly regarded by everyone connected with it, particularly by fellow referees, who knew he was always there to offer advice and encouragement when they needed it. He was also well respected by the players and officials of the clubs in the league, so much so that a minutes silence was held at every game and every team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

On the playing field itself FC Britannia took over at the top of NAPIT ONE following a highly competitive game at Eckington, whom they beat 4-3 thanks to strikes from Chambers, Gallagher, Bartram and Adams. Former incumbents Killamarsh Juniors Athletic travelled to Clune Street to take on Clowne Wanderers and went home empty handed as a Sam Richardson goal plus one from Josh Clayton led Wanderers to a 2-1 success. AFC Whitecotes enjoyed a much better away day as they put six goals past hosts Bolsover Town SC, three of them scored by C Lytham, two by L Wright, one by D Mason. Creswell eased past Hepthorne Lane 5-1 whilst Renishaw MW crushed Brampton Rovers 8-0, Fletcher and Blakemore both scoring twice in the rout.

In NAPIT TWO New Whitt made the headlines as they inflicted a first defeat of the season upon Barrow Hill MC. Gary Morton was the main thorn in the side of the leaders, hitting a superb hat trick with Gary Hanaby grabbing himself two goals as well in the 5-3 score line. Woodside are in second place following a 2-2 draw with Tibshelf Town, Adam Fordham scoring twice for Woodside, Armstrong twice for Town. Grassmoor Sports are third after beating Hollingwood 5-2, with the goals being shared by Pedley, Weaver, Naughton, Morton and Mitchell. Elsewhere Ashover Vale beat Wingerworth Barley Mow 4-1, Joe Lawson, George Whittaker, Matt Jowcey and Richard Marshall scoring and Brampton Rovers JMA beat Silver Birches 2-1, Shaun Brandon scoring both goals.

Double Top had lost the first four of their NAPIT THREE games prior to their trip to Newton George and Dragon but it was fifth time lucky as they came out on top to win 2-1. Matlock Town Wanderers in stark contrast have been going along very nicely and on Sunday they beat Beechers Brook 5-3 Brown and Thornley scoring twice, Halksworth once. AFC Bolsover were also winners, goals from Parfitt 2, Henry, Seredynski and Capuano securing a victory over Brickmakers. A tense game at Spinkhill saw West Killamarsh and Dronfield Woodhouse share six goals, claiming a point each in a 3-3 draw, Edge two Jessop one for Wests, Crossland, Austin and an own goal for Woodhouse.

New Whitt B top FOUR, despite drawing 2-2 with Dronfield Miners, the first time this season they have not claimed maximum points, both their goals coming from D Locke, Ollie Wood and Paul Moorwood scoring for Miners. Woodthorpe Inn’s emphatic 7-0 win at Spartans sees them second, Ben Goodwin and Ben Meadley starring with two goals apiece, ably supported by Craig Hamshaw, Matt Walsh and Chris Whitford. AFC North Wingfield’s Andy Smith and Andy Woolvern both scored doubles as they beat Chesterfield Arms 6-3, Steelmelters beat Lowgates Sports 2-0 [ L Nunn, S James ] and Harleys Scarlets went down 3-0 to Newbold whilst Pilsley beat Brimington Park Colts 3-0, Cave, Dillingham and Hough on target.

Clowne Wanderers Reserves superb start to the season in FIVE continued with a 3-1 at Newbold Sports, Sports first reverse to date. Wanderers have only conceded twice whilst at the other end the goals have flowed, eighteen to date. Strangely the other four games in the division ended in draws, the highest scoring one being at Dunstan Rovers where the hosts drew 4-4 with Brampton Brewery. Grocutt was the main contributor for Rovers scoring two with Ryan Hardman scoring one more for the Brewers. Hasland Community and North Wingfield MW managed a goal each, Moore for Hasland Walters for Wingfield. It was 2-2 at Old Whittington MW where Spital visited and the game at Palterton Sporting who hosted Holmehall 1ST ended likewise.

Hady Villa continue to dominate SIX their 8-1 win at Bulls Head Old Whit being their fifth in as many starts. Six different players got on the score sheet for them in this game, Laming and McMahon both scoring twice, Booker, Smedley, Wynn and Inns once each. Boythorpe picked up their first point of the season in a 3-3 draw at Crown Killamarsh, Linacre scoring twice for them. Furnace Hill Hurricanes blew away Fidlers Rest, three goals from Steve Jones, one from Tom Boyden and an own goal securing them a 5-1 victory. Hasland WMC were beaten 3-1 by Grassmoor Sports Reserves and Holmehall 2ND slipped to a 4-2 defeat to Dronfield Wanderers, McCatty scoring two of Wanderers four goals, whilst Renishaw MW Reserves won 2-0 at Markham Arms thanks to a goal each from Deane and Fletcher-Pullia.

Two of the league’s new clubs met in NAPIT SEVEN, Dronfield Town and Glapwell Gladiators and the goals flowed with the former hitting four the latter six. Gladiator’s six came from Canning 2, Bond, Simpson, Harrison and Hope, Oxley’s hat trick for Town being scored in vain. Brampton Rovers Reserves thumped Britannia Tupton 5-0, Morris scoring twice, Oxcroft United returned to winning ways, Grayson, Kidger and Macdonald on target against Squadron Medical and there were also wins for Grassmoor Sports Reserves who won 3-1 at Clay Cross Miners and Diners and Boot and Shoe who won 5-2 at Brimington Club, Adlington scoring twice, Oakes, Porter and Nadin once.