Didcot and Bourne reach FA Trophy second round for first time

The weather set the terms for the week at Step 4. Storm Boelo was cited in reports from Ashington, Barwell and Whitstable Town, and fixtures fell by the wayside. Blyth Spartans were due at Hallam on Tuesday, but the match was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, and Newmarket Town were told their Velocity Cup tie at Grays Athletic was off for the same reason.

In the Isthmian League South Central, Jersey Bulls beat AFC Portchester 3-1 to go top of the table. Portchester's own report said the game was closer than the scoreline, with two penalty claims turned down before they were awarded one in stoppage time, converted by Jason Prior. The visitors had won 2-0 against Bedfont Sports on the opening day of their new 3G pitch, when 609 watched in the rain. Moneyfields lost 1-0 in Jersey that same week, and in the Russell Cotes Cup they beat Liss Athletic 11-1 after manager Callum Glen left for a Step 3 club. Assistant Neil Tomlinson is interim manager. Whitstable Town made it seven league wins in a row in the South East division, Dean Grant scoring the 84th-minute winner against Peacehaven & Telscombe.

The FA Trophy produced the week's landmark results. Didcot Town came from behind to beat Poole Town 2-1, Jenson Wright and Kai Bartolo scoring in the final five minutes, to reach the second round for the first time. They then returned to the top of Southern League Division One Central through a late Owen James goal against Barton Rovers. Bourne Town also reached round two for the first time, beating Banbury United 1-0 despite a disallowed goal at each end and an opposition red card.

In the Northern Premier League Midlands, Sutton Coldfield Town won 4-0 at Shepshed Dynamo in a game billed as second against third. Wellingborough Town remain 10 points clear, according to Long Eaton United, whose new joint-managers have brought in several players. Barwell beat Corby Town 4-0 with a hat-trick on debut from Luke Benbow.

Management changes continued. Kingstonian appointed Alan Dowson, who led the club to promotion in 2008-09, after Tom Williams left. Heaton Stannington promoted assistant Andy McBride after Dean Nicholson's departure by mutual consent, and Runcorn Linnets made Jacques Welsh player-manager until the end of the season.

At Consett, Calvin Smith made a 600th appearance in a 4-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels, only the second player to reach that mark in the club's history.