Duston Garage (Bosch Service) Star Award :
Whitefield Norpol who inflicted Weldon United’s first league defeat since 30th April 2009.

Northamptonshire FA Area Cup Semi Final:
Long Buckby Ravens and Corby Everards will contest the final of this competition after their respective wins over Kettering Park Rovers and Walgrave Amber. Goals from Steve O’Brien and Sean Conopo saw the Ravens return from their lengthy trip with a 2-0 win. Everards progress was assured when an own goal complemented Scott Davanna’s effort to give them a 2-1 win.

Russell Roofing Premier Division Cup Semi Final:
Rob Goldring provided Queen Eleanor the perfect tonic for their Junior Cup exit, scoring the only goal of the game to ensure that their place in the final.

Keystone Roofing Supplies Division 1 Cup Semi Final:
An ill-tempered affair between Ringstead and Blisworth, which saw four red cards, was settled by penalty kicks. Blisworth had taken the lead through Eddie Stewart, before the hosts equalised deep into second half-stoppage time. Blisworth’s Nick Bradshaw proved the hero however, saving one penalty and converting the winner himself. Scott Goodman meanwhile put in the performance of a lifetime, scoring all five of Welford’s goals as they thumped Kingfisher 5-1.

Rothenberger Group Division 2 Cup Semi Final:
Late goals in normal time and extra time for both Gretton and Orchard Park ensured that another shootout was required. Orchard Park had taken an early two goal lead before Matty Graham pulled one back on 75 minutes, and Stewart Chapman equalised with five minutes remaining. Alex Brown then put Gretton ahead, before Orchard Park themselves equalised at the death. Gretton however held out, scoring all five of their spot-kicks to go through 5-4.
Andrew Munday scored for Wollaston Victoria, but it was not enough as Steven Hendry and Mark Warman secured a final berth for Burton United with the 2-1 win. 

Division 3 Cup Semi Final:
Wellingborough WMC were edged out 3-2 by local rivals Wilby. Mark Gater and Carl Billing both netted for the hosts but strikes from Dan Nolan, Brian Morris and Mikey Davis set up a date with fellow Wellingborough side Saxons, 2-0 victors over Hillmorton. 

Division 4 Cup Semi Final:
Paul Hakin’s solo goal ensured that FC Higham claimed a place in the final in their maiden season, after a 1-0 win over fellow debutants Kingswood.

Duston Garage (Bosch Service) Reserve Premier Division Cup Semi Final:
Dean Humphrey (2) was the pick of the goal scorers as Harborough Town steamrollered Milton 7-1. Elsewhere ON Chenecks ‘A’ lost out to Bugbrooke ‘A’ in a seven goal thriller. Errol Sutherland, Kev Myers and Rob Chapman all scored for the hosts, but Tony Ferrier, George Belgrove and a Simon Steele brace settle the tie in Bugbrooke’s favour.

Reserve Division 1 Cup Semi Final:
Midfield dynamo Lee Bell went from hero to villain in the space of a few minutes for Weldon ‘A’ in their tie with Blisworth Reserves. After bossing the midfield in the early part of the game, Bell deservedly put Weldon ahead with a free header that went in off the post. However his red card five minutes later left Weldon rudderless and Blisworth took full advantage. From the resulting free kick Dale Lewis side-footed home to restore parity. Shortly after the restart, Blisworth took the lead when Lewis fired home from long-range. Weldon’s day was summed up when they blasted a penalty over the bar, and a quickly taken goal-kick allowed Chris Gale to get Blisworth’s third. Dale Lewis headed in his third of the match ten minutes from time.

Reserve Division 2 Cup Semi Final:
Matt Farrell and Josh Bellamy both netted to send Weedon into the final, 2-1 winners at the expense of Daventry Drayton Grange. Harpole ‘A’s hopes of making it a derby final were dashed as Old Grammarians swept them aside with ease.  Dave Mayhew netted twice as they romped home 6-0 victors.

Russell Roofing Premier Division:
The Weldon wobble continued with a surprise 2-1 reverse away to Whitefield Norpol. The defeat is Weldon’s first away defeat since losing 1-0 to Brixworth on April 9th 2009. Richard Slater and Connor Norman scored the goals that helped the hosts put their off-field woes to one side for the time being. The defeat is Weldon’s first in the league since they were beaten 5-3 by Stanion on 30th April 2009, and their first away from home in the league, since losing 1-0 to Brixworth on April 9th 2009. The result allowed Kislingbury to move level on points after a 2-1 home win over near-rivals Milton. Brixworth also closed the gap after a 3-0 win over Heyford. James Feasey grabbed a brace for All Saints, whose recent run of form could see them stealing a march on the leaders. Harborough stay in touch after a 4-0 win over Pegasus.
Despite goals from Tom Chapman and Warren Berry, Medbourne lost further ground as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Harpole. Roade moved level on points after a 3-0 win over Khalsa in the battle of the former giants.

Keystone Roofing Supplies Division 1:
With the top three in cup action both Drayton Grange and Kettering Nomads wasted their chance to close the gap at the top after score draws. Drayton could only draw 2-2 with Finedon Volta after goals from Chris Trill and Matt Russ. Ian Symington meanwhile scored for Nomads as they drew 1-1 with Spratton. Earls Barton moved ahead of Wootton St George after a 4-2 win over Cold Ashby. Lee Saving opened Barton’s account. Carlton Ellwood and Tony Simms scored the goals that gave Stanwick the win over Stanion, and saw them move into double figures for the first time.

Rothenberger Group Division 2:
Danesholme Vikings recovered their composure to open up a three point gap over second-placed Old Grammarians. Dave Martin bagged a hat-trick and Dan McShefferty rediscovered his goal scoring form, as the Norsemen resisted Islip’s spirited fight back to win 4-3. Janson Lee netted twice for Islip. Simon Andersen got the only goal of the game to settle the all-Wellingborough affair between Ranelagh and Old Grammarians in the home sides favour. Clipston moved to third, while opponents Weedon stay rooted to the bottom after their 5-3 defeat.
There was plenty of head-scratching going on at Woodford after Ristee Towers were defeated again, despite scoring five times! Simon Kent and Dean Hadaway both bagged braces for Ristee, but that feat was repeated by Brett Greenhalf, Shane Richardson and Gary Rose as Great Doddington pulled out a 7-5 victory. Bective Wanderers moved themselves towards a more respectable position after a 2-1 win over Strip Mills. Simon Andersen got the only goal of the game to settle the all-Wellingborough affair between Ranelagh and Old Grammarians in the home sides favour.

Division 3:
Luke Churchill and Luke McIllroy continued their impressive goal-scoring streaks, finding the target in Ise Lodge’s 2-1 away win over Corby Locomotives. The eight point gap over second-placed Corby Eagles, 5-1 victors over Crick, means that a second-successive league championship is all but assured. Ian Loake opened the scoring fro Wilbarston in the basement battle with Dainite. However slack defending allowed the Leicestershire side back into the game through Dom Page. Superb displays of goalkeeping threatened to end the match in a draw before Wilbarston’s Sean-Paul Devlin struck the winner.

Division 4:
Andy Wood and Darryl Gadsden both grabbed braces as Wymington ripped Higham Dragons apart 7-0. West Haddon sit third after their 5-3 win over CSV United. James Shiner scored twice in consolation for CSV. Talisman continue to show signs of improvement after Luke McCauley’s treble saw them home 3-0 over Kennedys. Jack Scarley also grabbed a treble as Yardley edged out Corby Hearth 3-2. Aran Stephen and Kenny Miles netted in reply for the bottom side, who inch ever-closer to the 100 goals conceded mark. 

Duston Garage (Bosch Service) Reserve Premier Division:
Whitefield Norpol remain top of the division despite dropping points away at Corby Khalsa. David Sheridan and Greg Taylor scored for the hosts in the 2-2 draw. Adrian Hobson and Daniel Lumb scored for Kettering Nomads and Kislingbury respectively, as the visitors failed to capitalise on Whitefield’s draw. Ryan Nobel opened the scoring for Harpole as they eased past Gretton 3-1.

Reserve Division 1:
Orchard Park stay nine points clear of Brixworth after thrashing Finedon Volta 7-0. However the lead could soon be cut as they have played three games more. Elliot Phillips opened the scoring for Brixworth as they defeated Corby Locomotives 3-1. Medbourne’s Phil Chapman netted a hat-trick as they survived an own goal and a Matt Brown strike to hold off Queen Eleanor and win 3-2. Ringstead won only their third game of the season, a surprise 2-1 win over Wootton St George. Elsewhere Stanion thumped Bugbrooke ‘B’ 7-2.

Reserve Division 2:
One more win is all that Earls Barton require to secure the league title, after a narrow 2-1 win away at Islip. Shane Bouher, Jordan Timson, Matt Pheely, and Matt McKinnerny scored for Spratton as they defeated Dainite 4-2. Crick meanwhile disposed of Stanwick 5-3.

Can you help?
The Northamptonshire Combination requires a Fixtures Secretary for the 2010-11 season. The role will include membership of the league’s Management Committee. Previous experience is preferable but not essential. A small honorarium is paid at the end of the season. Requests for further information and all applications should be directed to the League Secretary, David Jarrett. Email secretary@northantscombination.co.uk