Clay Cross crash in duel of early frontrunners with Bolsover

NOT THIS TIME -- Clay Crosss goalscorer Tomas Poole is denied on this occasion by FC Bolsover goalkeeper Ryan Hopkins.

But the reality was very different because Bolsover romped to a 5-1 victory to go three points clear at the top of the table.

Two days earlier, Clay Cross had cruised past Tideswell United 7-1 to make it three wins out of three, while Bolsover had battered Bilsthorpe 6-1 to make it four wins from five.

There was the promise of more goals to come as a big crowd gathered at Mill Lane -- and the home side created several chances in the opening exchanges.

However, they failed to convert any, and Bolsover took full advantage when Josh Scully capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give them a lead, which was doubled on 38 minutes by Danny Russell.

A clumsy clearance enabled Josh Parfitt to make it 3-0 and although a well-taken penalty by Tomas Poole reduced the deficit, any hopes of a Millers comeback were shortlived as Danny Fullwood and Jake Balinger pounced to complete Bolsover’s victory.

This Saturday, Clay Cross travel to Thorne Colliery, who have not won any of their first three league games.