Shane Kelsey scored twice for Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the 2-0 win over Hallam
Match Photos are HERE
Shane Kelsey’s two goals fired Shaw Lane Aquaforce back into the Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion places, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Shaw Lane comfortably beat local neighbours Hallam 2-0 at home last night and once again ensured their destiny remains in their own hands.
It wasn’t quite like their last game which saw Aquaforce destroy Grimsby Borough 13-0, but Craig Elliott’s men dominated the proceedings against Hallam.
Kelsey struck in the opening exchanges and then scored again in the closing stages and Elliott agreed with the view that his side were in control in a game watched by former England International Chris Waddle.
“I just said to them that we played some really good football at times,” he told Sports Performer.
“We hit the crossbar a couple of times and their ‘keeper made some good saves and we’re at that stage of the season where you just want that second goal to get the game won.
“On reflection, yes we could have won more convincingly than the score-line suggests.
“It was nervy at times. They didn’t create too much, but you always worry about one little mistake.
“We were totally worthy winners and it was a good performance. We started well with a good tempo and I was more than happy with it.”
James Burgess accidently strikes the ball against his own team-mate Shane Kelsey
The signs that Hallam faced a mammoth task were clear from the offset. Inside the opening three minutes, Shaw Lane’s Danny Frost had a goal ruled out for offside and another palmed for a corner by Hallam goalkeeper Josh Branch.
It was obvious that the deadlock was going to be broken early on and Kelsey forced with the breakthrough with a powerful strike from distance. Hallam appealed for handball, but the goal was given.
Hallam’s Mark West gave the home side a brief scare with a close range attempt, but Shaw Lane looked assured as the half wore on.
Kelsey, who could have easily scored five or six times, hit the post with another seemingly goal-bound shot before seeing his rebound attempt come back off the crossbar.
Shaw Lane continued with the same momentum at the start of the second half. Former Garforth Town and Frickley Athletic striker James Burgess was denied by Branch, while Frost looked set to score from close range until some last ditch defending from Hallam.
Shaw Lane striker Danny Frost shoots in the 2-0 win over Hallam
The lack of a decisive second goal created some tension inside Shaw Lane. Whilst Hallam failed to put Shaw Lane under any real pressure, there was always the danger that they would conjure up a dramatic equaliser.
Fortunately Elliott’s men, who are flying the flag for Yorkshire in the promotion race, kept their nerve and focus and they got the match-winner with ten minutes remaining.
From a Shaw Lane free kick, stand-in captain John Cyrus was able to play a pass to Kelsey, who was standing close to the edge of the penalty area. The ex-Ossett Albion forward struck the ball beautifully and sent it straight into Branch’s right-hand-bottom corner to seal the win.
The job was done and there are three games left for Aquaforce in their bid to win promotion – starting at Rossington Main on Saturday.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Green, Stohrer, St Juste, Swift, Fawcus, Cyrus (captain), Reece (Outram 80), Haigh, Burgess, Kelsey (Flynn 83), Frost (Whitehouse 61). Subs unused: Grace, Souter.
Hallam: Branch, Charlesworth (Dooley 74), O’Kane, Lavender, Adgie (captain), West, Lammy (Brooker 82), Eckhardt, Morris, Highfield (Mulgrew 86), Waddle.
Referee: W Cooper
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 105
Man of the match: Shane Kelsey (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)