Bootle's eight-win start sets the pace across Step 4

No club in the Northern Premier League has made a stronger start than Bootle, whose 2-0 win over Nantwich Town made it eight wins from eight league games in Division One West. The Bucks have built their run on defensive solidity, with four consecutive clean sheets before the Nantwich victory, and women's team manager Alex Garbe said after a 9-1 win over St Helens Rovers that "everything that were doing is slowly clicking together." Bootle have also prospered in the FA Trophy, thrashing Emley 5-0 to reach the First Round Proper, a tie built on goals from Ben Hodkinson, Sam Hughes, Matty Fenton and substitute Saul Fox Akande, and will travel to Leek Town in the next round.

Hanley Town beat Chasetown 4-2 in Division One West, while Congleton Town fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Shifnal Town despite an Owen Morris equaliser. Congleton had also lost 3-1 to Witton Albion the previous week, Kirby's penalty proving mere consolation. Atherton Collieries endured a difficult week, losing 1-2 to Vauxhall Motors having already been beaten 6-1 by Lower Breck, though the club had better news off the pitch as Mo Ali featured for Somalia against the Ivory Coast in the AFCON, becoming only the second player to win senior international caps while at the club.

In the Midlands Division, Sutton Coldfield Town stayed top after a dramatic late header saw off Carlton Town 2-1, a result Carlton described as leaving them with "plenty to be positive about" despite the defeat. Nuneaton Town's revival continued with a third straight league win, an 87th-minute Eesa Sawyers penalty settling a tense trip to St Ives Town after their 5-0 demolition of Grantham Town the previous week. Grantham's FA Youth Cup side produced late drama to beat Harborough Town 8-7 on penalties following a 91st-minute equaliser, with goalkeeper Harri saving in the shootout before converting the winning spot kick.

Corby Town confirmed the return of Graham Drury as First Team Manager, with Paul Holden as his assistant, the pair reunited after previous spells together at Corby, Stamford and Boston United. Drury said: "I am delighted to be home back with the Steelmen... let's bring the good times back to Steel Park." Belper Town brought in striker Tyrell Waite from Rugby Borough and welcomed back Jerome Greaves on dual registration with Goole, though missed chances cost them in a 1-1 draw at Coleshill Town.

Blyth Spartans moved into the top half of the East Division with a 2-1 victory at Croft Park before a crowd of 613, captain Jack Vaulks marking his 50th appearance with a goal. Dunston UTS beat Guisborough Town 1-0 in league action having already exited the FA Trophy to Avro FC, while Hallam issued a statement distancing the club from comments attributed to supporter Scott Loveluck, with secretary Ashley Carson stressing he "does not have any official standing within the Hallam FC Committee."