Pitchero Non League

....on Easter Monday, but it was a nail-biting finale at the opposite end.

FC Halifax Town had already been crowned champions and earn promotion to the Blue Square Bet North, finishing off with a rather damp squib of a goalless draw at relegated Ossett Town in front of a bumper Ingfield crowd of 890.

FC United of Manchester, Colwyn Bay and Bradford Park Avenue were already assured of a top five finish, leaving the final place to be battled out between North Ferriby United and Buxton, with Ferriby holding the ace of a far superior goal difference.

They did their bit by winning 1-0 at Frickley Athletic, courtesy of a 24th minute Paul Harsley effort, leaving the hosts awaiting the outcome of the games involving Hucknall Town and Burcsough nervously as they held a slender one-point advantage over them in the battle to avoid the drop.

In the end, Ferriby were handed the gift of a 3-1 win by Matlock Town at Silverlands against Buxton, with Ross Hannah notching three more to take his tally to an incredible fifty-two goals.

However, it didn`t look good for the Gladiators when, after Josh Wilde had cancelled out Hannah`s opener in the 23rd minute, Kris Bowler was sent-off shortly after halt-time.

But the ten-men went on to win with two more from the league`s top marksman in the final 3 minutes. Frickley`s wait was finally over and it was joy for the Yorkshire side as news of defeats for both Burscough and Hucknall came through.

Neighbours Marine did the Linnets no favours, winning 2-1 with goals from Aaron Rey in the 56th and 77th minutes, with Will Jones netting a consolation 3 minutes from time, while Worksop Town also did their former landlords Hucknall no favours by winning 2-0 at Cannon Park, thanks to Jamie Jackson on 54 minutes and a last-gasp Ben Tomlinson effort.

So Hucknall and Burscough join Retford United and Ossett in the First Division next season.

Colwyn Bay kept in form for the play-offs with a 2-0 Llanellian Road win over Nantwich Town with Rob Hopley and Karl Noone on target in the second half, while Bradford Park Avenue did likewise, winning 3-1 at Mickleover Sports, courtesy of Matty Plummer on 33 minutes and then an Aidan Savory brace in the final 12 minutes.

FC United, however, disappointed another 2000-plus crowd by losing 2-1 at home to Kendal Town, whose Mark Jackson gave them an 8th minute lead that Mike Norton cancelled out, only for Danny Williams to notch a stoppage time winner for the Cumbrians.

Chasetown hit relegated Retford for six at The Scholars with six different scorers – Ben Jevons, Mark Branch, Gary Birch, Richard Davies, Richard Teesdale and Dean Perrow, but Northwich Victoria needed only one - an Andy Fowler penalty 17 minutes from time – to win at the Victoria Stadium against Ashton United.

Stocksbridge Park Steels won the remaining game, 2-1 at Bracken Moor against Whitby Town, whose Jimmy Beadle equalised Richard Stirrup`s 2nd minute opener from the spot right on half-time, but Colin Marrison won it for Steels 8 minutes after the break.

Tags: Roundups | Evo-Stik League Premier Division

• Evo-Stik League
• Premier Division
  • + Stammers Set to Unveil `Big` Signing
  • + Young Receives First Youth Graduate
  • + Four New Boys for Kendal
  • + Street Deal Done
  • + Clowes Targets Four More
  • + Two More Commit to Frickley
  • + Blackhurst Decision Was Easy in the End
• First Division North
  • + Two Sign for Mossley - One Goes
  • + Parsley Set to Trim Numbers
• First Division South
  • + Roms Become Cup Scholars
  • + Stevens Finally Gets His Man
  • + Rainworth Keeper Calls it a Day
  • + Taylor Blow for Baker
  • + Daniels Swoop for Duo
  • + Hucknall Go `Amateur`
  • + Wilson Pleased - Despite Result
  • + Glarvey Steps Up
  • + Roms Add to Management Team
  • + World`s Oldest Football Rulebook Sold
  • + And Higginson Makes Five