Clipstone's unbeaten run sets the pace in United Counties Division One
Clipstone remain the pace-setters in Division One. They collected the August team of the month award for an unbeaten run, presented by United Counties League representative Roger Walker, and this week they beat Dronfield Town 4-0 under the lights at Stonelow, with Luke Bacon named man of the match. Sleaford Town's own preview of their trip to Sandiacre Town describes Clipstone as league leaders and notes that Sandiacre's only defeat in their last five league games came against them.
Dronfield's two recent reports tell a more mixed story. One was headlined "Meltdown costs Town in Southwell loss", the other "Comprehensive defeat for Town but promising signs". Their next fixture is at Selston, who are hosting a Chairman's Weekend at The Parish, with junior football, a bar and a free-entry first-team game at 3pm on the Saturday. A legends game on the Sunday is a testimonial for Ben and Sean, marking their 500 games.
Behind the leaders, Sleaford Town also have plenty of momentum. They beat Gedling Miners Welfare 3-0 at the BPH Stadium, with Lewis Smith scoring twice and Riley Wilkinson once, which made it ten league games unbeaten at home. Manager Jamie McGhee said the team were "always in a game" in their recent defeats, which came by the odd goal. Sam Greenwood has also returned to the club. McGhee said he had wanted to work with him for a while and described him as bringing "energy, experience and leadership qualities". Sandiacre, meanwhile, have scored only seven goals in eleven games, the joint-lowest tally in the league, yet sit fourteenth, according to Sleaford's preview.
Gedling, who lost that game, have had four straight away matches and now return to Plains Road for a derby with Radford. Radford called their previous performance their best of the season.
There was cup business too. Clifton All Whites beat Stapleford Town Wade 1-0 to reach the next round of the League Cup. Dunkirk went out of the UCL Cup after conceding in added time to Belper United, the Premier Division North leaders, and said they had given a good account of themselves. Louth Town travelled to AFC Mansfield in the first round, and Pinchbeck United hosted Sileby Rangers.
