Doughboys march on after nine-goal thriller, Diamonds on the up, Steelmen thumped
On-song Wellingborough Town stretched their unbeaten start to the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division to 14 games with a thrilling 5-4 win over Coleshill Town on Saturday.
Those who turned out at the Dog & Duck on a wet and miserable day were treated to a nine-goal thriller, with Jake Stone's side having to fight back from 3-1 down to secure a 13th win of the campaign and maintain their 10-point lead at the top.
Struggling Coleshill got off to a flyer as they took a first-minute lead through Benjamin Usher-Shipway, but the Doughboys were level six minutes later thanks to George Barnell.
Goals in the 12th and 28th minutes, from William Marshall and Charlie Manners respectively, then saw the visitors leading 3-1.
George Ball got on back just before the break, and then 10 minutes into the second half, substitute Ethan Johnston netted to make it 3-3.
Stone's side were now flying, and Charlie Green scored to put them 4-3 in front, but Coleshill would not lie down and 10 minutes from time they made it 4-4 thanks to a Manners penalty.
The Doughboys continued to press for the winner though, and they got it on 84 minutes, with Zayn Hakeem heading home from a Sam Warburton cross.
The win sees the Doughboys maintain their 10-point advantage over second-placed Sutton Coldfield Town ahead of their home clash with Boldmere St Michaels on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).
AFC Rushden & Diamonds are up to ninth after they also maintained their unbeaten start to the league season.
Elliot Sandy's side faced a tricky trip to Belper Town, and got off to a dream start as they led 2-0 inside 19 minutes.
Jack Daldy netted the first on 13 minutes, before Matty Warburton doubled their advantage six minutes later.
That was how it stayed until 13 minutes from time when Jacob Grattan got one back for the hosts, but that was to prove no more than a consolation as Diamonds held on.
The win was a fifth of the campaign for Rushden and sees them rise to ninth, and just three points off the play-offs.
They also have the small matter of four games in hand on seventh-placed Nuneaton Town.
Sandy's side are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Loughborough Students.
A win in that one will see them rise to sixth.
Struggling Corby Town endured a miserable afternoon as they were thumped 4-0 at relegation rivals Barwell on Saturday.
The home side were 3-0 up inside 54 minutes thanks to a hat-trick from Luke Benbow, before Timothy Oyanda adding a fourth in the last minute.
The loss means the Steelmen remain second bottom in the Midlands Division, and they are now a worrying eight points from safety.
Corby will have the chance to close that gap to five points when they entertain Mickleover at Steel Park on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).