Rossington Main beat NCEL Premier leaders Dearne & District 4-0

The week in the Northern Counties East Premier Division turned on Saturday afternoon at Oxford Street, where Rossington Main beat league leaders Dearne & District 4-0. The club had set a target of 300 through the gate and got 311. Dearne arrived with 28 points from a possible 36; they left having conceded four, and their own verdict was brief: "An afternoon to forget."

Oli Nowak scored twice, the first after two minutes, when he went past two defenders and passed beyond Ellis Pickard. His second, a reverse half-volley from the edge of the area, is the one the club are already calling a goal-of-the-season contender. Rob Guilfoyle scored on his home debut and Myron Gibbons added a fourth in the 88th minute. Kian Johnson saved a seventh-minute penalty, and Jack Birks was sent off for Dearne after a second yellow card. The result lifted Rossington to 11th, two points off the play-offs, with Harry Mitchell named man of the match.

Dearne's following days did not improve. A much-changed side lost 3-1 at Pickering Town in the League Cup second round on Tuesday. The club pointed to performances from young players stepping up from their development sides, and signed Jack Boyle on dual registration from North Ferriby before the tie.

Below Rossington's win, results were tight. Penistone Church lost 2-1 to Knaresborough Town, Matty Lee scoring his first goal since re-signing, and then 1-0 at Horbury Town in a game their own report described as one of few chances. Tadcaster Albion ended a wait for a league win that stretched back to Parkgate on 28 July, beating Albion Sports 2-0 through Elliott Andrew and a late Curtis Senior free kick. That came after a 2-0 defeat at Horbury the previous Tuesday.

Retford United beat Thackley Association 5-0 at Cannon Park, having signed George Giwa on loan from Boston United the day before. Thackley had lost 2-0 to Bottesford Town in midweek. Worsbrough Bridge Athletic beat Parkgate 4-0, with Sam Awty scoring twice, then drew 1-1 at Horbury on Tuesday.

In the cups, Retford won 2-0 at Harrogate Railway Athletic in the League Cup, and Knaresborough Town won 3-1 at Golcar United in the West Riding County Cup. Rossington turn to the FA Vase next, hosting Durham United in the first round proper on Saturday.