FA Vase weekend sorts contenders from the rest in NCEL

The FA Vase provided the week's clearest storyline in the Northern Counties East League, with several clubs discovering whether their season would continue in the competition or refocus on the league table. Brigg Town beat Dearne & District to reach the FA Vase First Round Proper, Charlie Flemming scoring twice and Josh Batty adding another. The club thanked supporters, saying their backing from first whistle to last made them the 12th man. The result continues a strong run for the Zebras, who sit top of the Northern Counties East League Division One. This season’s home kit takes inspiration from the strip worn in their 2003 FA Vase final.

Selby Town also progressed, Harry Clapham scoring a hat-trick and Brown adding what the club described as a 40-yard lob in victory over Swallownest. Winterton Rangers had already booked their place in the next stage earlier in the week, beating Macclesfield FC 3-2 with goals from Jaime Ture, Josh Walker and Matthew Allison, a result the club called an incredible day to look back on.

Not every NCEL side survived the weekend. Athersley Recreation went out on penalties, 5-4, after an added-time equaliser at Ashville had taken the tie that far, Nat Dyer among those involved. Route One Rovers also exited on penalties, losing 4-3 after a 1-1 draw with Horden Community Welfare in which Umar Ali Zahoor scored. Club Thorne Colliery lost 3-1 to Maghull, for whom the club wished good luck in the rest of the season, while Wakefield had already fallen at Worsbrough Bridge, 1-0, in their second round qualifying tie.

Away from the Vase, Goole maintained their cup form in the NCEL League Cup, beating Immingham Town 7-2 as Ross Duggan scored five against a rotated side to send them out of the competition. Duggan had also been named August's player of the month after scoring nine goals in six matches. The club noted attendances up 86 per cent year on year, highlighting progress both on and off the field.

Wombwell Town won 3-0 away at Harrogate Railway Athletic, with goals from Ollie Fearon, Nash Connolly and Al Keita, Elsewhere in the league, milestones were also marked at Athersley Recreation, where Kane Reece made his 50th appearance, and at Wakefield, where Adam Lockwood has taken charge of first-team affairs following Jason Blunt's resignation as manager earlier in the month.