FOOTBALL: Horncastle Town Reserves go top of the league

Just three league games took place this week with only one of the top four sides in action, namely Horncastle Town Reserves, who were sat third on goal difference behind second placed Cherry Willingham.

Their opponents on the day were bottom side Saxilby Athletic who had lost their five previous away games.

Horncastle had just found some form again after a poor run during January and had beaten title contenders Cherry Willingham 2-0 in their last game.

Again keeping a clean sheet, Horncastle ran in eight goals against the bottom side for the second biggest win in this league this season.

Leading the way for Horncastle was Mike Harness as he became the first player this season to score five goals in a match. Their other goals came from Ash Bullivant, Dan Bodily and Ryan Beaumont.

Victory took Horncastle to the head of the table by two points from Fulbeck United, although they have played a game more.

Further down the table, there was a local derby at Ruston Sports where fifth placed AFC Crown and Arrows were the visitors.

Crown and Arrows had won at Retford last week after three defeats in a row, while Rustons were looking for a rare league double and a first win in four games.

On the day, there was not to be a winner as the two sides shared a 2-2 draw. Brandon Wilkes scored both Rustons goals.

The final game saw another side seeking a league double as Retford Town visited second to bottom side Railway Inn.

A statistic that both sides were also seeking was back to back wins for the first occasion this season.

In a seven goal thriller, it was Railway who registered this record with a 4-3 victory.

James Smith (2), Karl Smith and Tom Holmes scored for Railway, with Dan Law getting two to take him to double figures for the season along with one from Joel Turner.

While victory did not lift Railway up the table it took them four points clear of bottom side Saxilby. Rustons’ point took them above Retford to sixth, with an identical record to AFC Crown and Arrows but a slightly worse goal difference.