NORTHANTS COMBINATION: Orchard Park hit seven as revival continues

Orchard Park were struggling at the wrong end of the table for the majority of the season but are now heading towards the comfort of mid-table after an excellent winning run.Joe Watson hit a hat-trick in their latest success with Carl Cooper (2), George Andries and Dalitso Mandson doing the rest of the damage.At the sharp end of the table, Higham Town opened up a five-point lead at the summit as they edged out Bugbrooke B 1-0 while Finedon Volta maintained their push for honour with a 4-1 success at FC FotoGold.Corby Strip Mills are also in the hunt after goals from Corey McGovern and Daniel Ward sealed a 2-0 success over town rivals Pegasus Reserves.Elsewhere, there were impressive wins on the road for Corby White Hart Locos, who were 2-1 victors at Brixworth Reserves, and for Kettering Nomads Reserves who clinched a 1-0 success at Daventry Cummins.

JK Blisworth took a giant step towards retaining their Premier Division title as they claimed a 4-3 victory at second-placed Moulton to move 10 points clear at the top.There were mixed fortunes for the local clubs in action as goals from Dan Burston and Tom Ripley gave Wollaston Victoria a 2-0 win at Corby Pegasus but Daniel McGovern’s double wasn’t enough for Burton United as they went down 3-2 at home to Roade.

Desborough & Rothwell United moved to within two points of Division One leaders Wootton St George after a 3-2 win at AFC Houghton Magna.Desborough & Rothwell still have a game in hand on the table-toppers.Wellingborough Rising Sun moved into third place with a 5-2 success at AFC Woodford Wolves while Corby Kingswood recorded a 3-2 home win over Milton.The other game between Roade Reserves and Weldon United ended in a 1-1 draw.

Yelvertoft moved to the top of Division Three after they won the big game of the day, beating third-placed Earls Barton Reserves 2-0.Burton Band’s promotion hopes suffered a setback as they lost 2-1 at home to Woodford United Reserves and that allowed Harpole Reserves to move level on points with Burton after a 2-1 success over Corby Ravens.Desborough & Rothwell United Reserves inflicted more misery on bottom side Finedon Volta Reserves with a 6-0 win while the local derby between Corby Siam and Corby United ended all-square at 2-2.Irthlingborough Rangers also picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Delapre Dragons.

Moulton Reserves kept hold of top spot in Division Four with a 4-0 victory at Corby United Reserves.But Corby Siam Reserves maintained the pressure on the leaders thanks to a 3-2 win at West Haddon Reserves.Elsewhere, Higham Town Reserves won 4-3 at Corby White Hart Locos Reserves, Corby Strip Mills Reserves claimed a 4-1 success over Kettering Ise Lodge and Great Doddington edged out Wilby 1-0 to leave the hosts propping up the table.

Thrapston Venturas booked their place in the semi-finals of the Division Four Cup as they beat Corby Trades & Labour 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after they had battled out a 4-4 draw.Trades & Labour had Stuart Littlejohn, Daniel Norris, James Richardson and an own-goal to thank for their goals in normal time.