Pitchero Non League

At least one of them was the top-of-the-table clash between fourth-placed North Ferriby United and runway leaders FC Halifax Town at Church Road.

And the Shaymen showed exactly why they are so far in front of the rest.

They had a great start when Jamie Vardy scored in the opening minute and rattled in a second right on the stroke of half time through Lee Gregory.

Vardy made it game over with his second and Halifax`s third after 56 minutes, and North Ferriby`s miserable afternoon was compounded in the dying minutes when Ben Morley was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after bringing down the two-goal man.

The only other game to get the nod was at Cannon Park where Worksop Town were looking to move into the play-off places against second-bottom Ossett Town.

However, the Tigers were shocked as new-look Ossett raced into a 3-0 lead before the break with goals from Daniel Facey with two and Nathan Kemp.

Chris Bettney pulled one back 4 minutes after the restart, but any hopes of a comeback were distinguished when Kemp grabbed his second and Ossett`s fourth just past the hour-mark.

The Evo-Stik League First Division South fared a little better than its two other divisions, with six games receiving the referee`s nod on Saturday.

The tightness of this division means wins are vital, with only four points separating second-placed Carlton Town and tenth-placed Romulus.

Kidsgrove Athletic moved into third after a 65th minute Aidan Matranga goal proved enough at Christchurch Meadow against Belper Town.

Rushall Olympic are fourth after becoming the latest side to hammer bottom-markers Spalding United.

Chris Morris started the six-goal rout in the 20th minute, with recent signing Chris Sterling going on to complete a hat trick with goals in the 36th, 50th and 80th minutes – Danny Lennon and Grant Beckett adding the others in the 44th and 90th minutes.

Goole AFC are level on points with Kidsgrove and Rushall after beating Quorn 2-1 at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.

Vill Powell bagged a brace for the Vikings in the 36th and 48th minutes, with Anthony Marriott replying for the Leicestershire side in the 67th minute.

Newcastle Town could have gone second with victory at mid-table Loughborough Dynamo, but instead were overtaken by several others after losing 3-1.

Will Grocutt gave the home side a 24th minute lead, but it wasn`t until the 79th that they could relax slightly when Karl Noble netted from the spot.

Karl Espley reduced the deficit 4 minutes from time, but Jay Hodgson ensured there was to be no late comeback for `Castle with a third in stoppage time.

Sutton Coldfield Town kept themselves in that top group after a 4-1 Coles Lane win over Lincoln United.

Prolific marksman Mark Bellingham was on target in less than a minute for the Royals and then doubled their advantage on 40 minutes, although Brendan McDaid replied less than a minute later.

But second half goals from Craig Marshall on 59 minutes and Matt Dodd 7 minutes from time sealed a good afternoon`s work for Chris Keogh`s side.

In the other game played on Saturday, Market Drayton Town pulled themselves six points clear of second-bottom Shepshed Dynamo after beating them 2-0 at the Dovecote with goals from Martyn Davies after 61 minutes and Tom Rogers with 17 minutes remaining.

Like in its Premier Division on Saturday, the Evo-Stik League First Division North saw only two games beat the frozen weather.

And, also similarly to the higher division, there were surprises, especially at AFC Fylde, who could have gone second, but instead lost three home points to a 3-1 defeat by Salford City.

However, the `Ammies are pushing hard now for a top five place themselves, taking the lead 5 minutes before half time, thanks to a Steve Foster penalty.

Matt Walwyn equalised a minute before the cuppas, but there was still time for Foster to put Salford back in front.

And the home side must have wished that Foster, who is dual registered with Blue Square Bet Premier side Altrincham, had been playing elsewhere as he went on to complete his hat trick in stoppage time.

And there was also a bit of a surprise at Dimple Wells where second-bottom Ossett Albion made it a decent day for a change for the Yorkshire town when they held second-placed Chorley to a 2-2 draw.

It could have been even better, as Albion led 2-0 with goals from Lee Bennett, who broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, and the Josh Moore.

But Garry Flitcroft`s men pulled back to earn what could prove to be a crucial point, courtesy of Dale Whitham on 77 minutes and Andy Russell in injury-time.

Tags: Roundups | Evo-Stik League

• Evo-Stik League
• Premier Division
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