Shaw Lane Aquaforce effectively promoted after 2-2 draw with Knaresborough

Danny Frost celebrates equalising for Shaw Lane Aquaforce in their decisive 2-2 draw with Knaresborough Town. Photo courtesy of Arthur Haigh (whiterosephotos.co.uk)

Match Photos are HERE
Desmond the Duck might have celebrated, but promotion is not totally confirmed just yet for Shaw Lane Aquaforce after their final game of the season.
Aquaforce are “more-or-less” promoted according to Craig Elliott after a controversial Knaresborough Town equaliser in the ninth minute of stoppage time denied Shaw Lane the chance of properly toasting their place in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division next season.
The celebrations were halted and the anti-climax also handed the Division One title to Cleethorpes Town.
A point was good enough for Aquaforce because of their far superior goal difference over Bottesford Town. Bottesford would need to beat Grimsby Borough 20-0 tomorrow afternoon to steal second spot.
The late goal was a sucker punch and the Shaw Lane players refused to rejoice so all the celebrating was left to club mascot Desmond after a second night of drama in three days.
Twists and turns were always inevitable and it was tense at times. Knaresborough even went ahead early on in the second half before Shaw Lane responded like a team worthy of winning promotion.
Danny Frost, a talismanic figure for Shaw Lane this season, scored twice within four minutes and glory was assured until Fraser Lancaster cancelled the official confirmation.
Shaw Lane boss Elliott said: “I’m a bit deflated in terms of the match because I thought we played really well against a good Knaresborough team.
“I thought we were worthy of the win tonight. We went 1-0 down from another mistake from Greeny, but we responded brilliantly and it is a pity we couldn’t see it out.
“The referee has played nine minutes of injury time which I can’t believe. I’ve never known nine minutes. But, to concede right at the death is just disappointing.
“Don’t forget that a win would have kept it alive to win the league as well. Obviously that has gone now. We’re more or less there.
“I’m not going to disrespect any team or Bottesford because at the end of the day there is still a game to be played. It would have been nice for the lads to say we have done it for definite though.”
The first half was in sharp contrast to recent Shaw Lane matches. Gone was the exciting swashbuckling style of recent times under Elliott. The former Ossett Town manager chose a solid 4-4-2 system with Mark Whitehouse being recalled to the side on the left-wing.
Caution was the buzz word, but Aquaforce were still on top. Frost hit the post and then forced an excellent save from Weston Murau later in the half.
But, the second half began in a manner that was not on the script. Centre-half Will Lenehan was allowed to run with the ball and he sent a seemingly harmless shot towards goal from 30 yards. It was an easy save to make, but goalkeeper Jamie Green made his second horrendous mistake of the week by letting the ball go through his hands and into the net.
Suddenly the unthinkable was about to happen. If Knaresborough were going to hold on though, Brian Davey’s men would have to face the battle of Somme for the final 40 minutes. Ultimately they succumbed from the first few missiles.
Shaw Lane were throwing everything at Knaresborough and Kane Reece brought an unbelievable save out of Murau as the pressure mounted.
From the corner, club captain Luke Danville saw his header come back off the crossbar before Frost scored from the inside the six-yard-box.

Danny Frost kisses the Shaw Lane badge after putting them ahead against Knaresborough Town. Photo courtesy of Arthur Haigh (whiterosephotos.co.uk)

The dream was back on and by the hour, Shaw Lane were ahead. David Thomas took the legs of Shane Kelsey and a penalty was correctly awarded. Frost was the chosen one and he kept his nerve to send Murau the wrong way and score his 30th goal of the campaign.
Shaw Lane defended well for the remaining half an hour, without creating too much. There was a bit of time-wasting with the main culprit being Green, but nothing that constituted an extra nine minutes.
Knaresborough deserve credit for keeping going and for refusing to throw the towel in. Whilst they created little, the North Yorkshire based sidebalways looked dangerous on the break and they got rewarded for their efforts.
The referee Andrew Beckett was screamed at from the side-lines to blow for full-time, but Knaresborough were allowed one last attack and from a scramble in the box, Lancaster scored.
It was a sour end to a night that was meant to finish in style and the muted reaction at the final whistle told its own story.
But, a point is enough and Elliott and his team can pat themselves on the back for achieving what was required – the club’s third promotion in as many years.

No players, but we got the Duck: Shaw Lane director of football Doug O’Connor, club secretary Dave Exley, matchday secretary Kev Wright and mascot Desmond the Duck celebrate promotion

Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Green, Stohrer, Fawcus, Patterson, Danville (captain), Cyrus, Reece, Haigh, Kelsey (St Juste 88), Frost (Burgess 76), Whitehouse (Kerr 90). Subs unused: Grace, Swift.
Knaresborough Town: Murau, Thomas, Radcliffe, Duerden (captain), Lenehan, Bradley, Eustance, Wilson (Lancaster 73), Heath, Hobson, Littlefair. Subs unused: Osborne, Stansfield.
Referee: A Beckett
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 184
Man of the match: Danny Frost (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)