The NCEL's participation in the 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup season has come to an end after our two remaining representatives were knocked out in Second Round Qualifying at the weekend.

Bottesford Town and Hallam battled hard against higher-ranked opposition but neither could find a giantkilling win that would have put them in Monday's draw for the next stage.

Bottesford were beaten 2-0 at Bromsgrove Sporting to conclude their best ever run in the competition whilst Daniel Pudil netted for Hallam in their 3-1 loss against Farsley Celtic after the Countrymen had reached this round for the first time in eighteen years.

Elsewhere, it was a busy Saturday afternoon in the NCEL with eight games taking place in the Premier Division and a full programme in Division One.

Penistone Church's lead at the summit in the top flight has grown slightly after their 5-2 home victory over Pickering Town, Nathan Keightley's hat-trick along with a brace from Samuel Scrivens giving them the win whilst Harry Jessop and Ronnie Kelly netted to drag the Pikes back from 3-0 down to 3-2 behind.

Thackley, Golcar United and Silsden AFC all won to climb over Hallam into the top four with Thackley in second, six points behind Penistone, as Ben Grech-Brooksbank's first half half-trick secured them a 3-1 win at home to Knaresborough Town, the away side's consolation coming from Adam Priestley.

Golcar and Silsden are a further point behind in third and fourth, respectively, with Callum Petch's 82nd minute decider securing the former a 2-1 home win over Barton Town after Ryan Hall's opener had been cancelled out by Ali Aydemir.

Ellis Hudon's penalty with a quarter of the game remaining was enough for Silsden as they won by a single goal at Handsworth.

Albion Sports climb to sixth after they came from 2-1 down at the interval to win 6-2 at Goole AFC, Kieran Suddards, Sumaili Cisse, Eisa Faulding, Tabish Hussain and Fernando Moke Tumba all finding the net for the Lions as they completely dominated the second period.

Tadcaster Albion returned to winning ways as Albert Ibrahimi's early double was added to in stoppage time by Elliott Andrew for a 3-0 victory over visitors Winterton Rangers that lifts the Brewers up into eighth.

Rossington Main began life after the shock departure of long-term boss Ben Hunter in midweek in perfect fashion as Manasse Kianga struck twice and there was one each for Lewis Graham and Ashley Worsfold as they defeated Parkgate 4-1 at the Welfare Ground in a great start for interim boss Greg Young.

And, six goals were shared as Jacob Hill pounced for a dramatic injury-time equaliser for Beverley Town in a 3-3 draw at Frickley Athletic, the third time the visitors had hauled themselves back level in the game.

The top two sides in Division One both drew on their travels with Wombwell Town remaining at the summit after Gavin Allott and Edward Agnew had twice put them ahead before hosts Louth Town pegged them back through Bailey Wright and Adam Millson in their game that finished 2-2.

Dearne & District led courtesy of a Jake Phillis penalty but Jordan Buckham levelled with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining in a 1-1 draw at Club Thorne Colliery.

Wombwell are one point clear of Horbury Town who jump above Dearne into second after Gibril Bojang, Abdou Bojang and James Cusworth netted in their 3-0 victory at Appleby Frodingham.

Athersley Recreation and Brigg Town remain in the top five after home wins with Carter Tingle, Nathan Perks and Bailey Wright the scorers for the Rec as they beat Glasshoughton Welfare 3-1.

And, there were two goals each for Dayle Hutson and Joshua Batty as the Zebras swept aside Dronfield Town 4-0.

Mackenzie Warne's 79th minute winner ensured a rise to sixth for Maltby Main as they defeated Wakefield AFC 2-1, leapfrogging Ilkley Town who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with visitors Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, Tom Smith's equaliser coming ten minutes from time.

Selby Town and Shelley climb into the top half of the table following home victories, Selby producing a late comeback to win 3-2 against South Leeds after trailing 2-1 by the 87th minute, Jack Bull's equaliser followed up by a winner in injury time from Troy Greening.

Shelley's win was more straightforward, Harry Glover and Akram Lasalire scoring in the first half as they beat basement side Yorkshire Amateur 2-0.

Swallownest drew 0-0 at Nostell Miners Welfare and an 87th minute leveller from Mahamadou Ceesay for hosts Armthorpe Welfare meant the spoils were shared in a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Photo: Brotherly love at the Brewers as Fatlum Ibrahimi congratulates his sibling Albert on scoring his second goal of the day in Tadcaster Albion's 3-0 home victory against Winterton Rangers in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday. (Picture: Craig Dinsdale)