Mark Simpson rescued a point for Nostell Miners Welfare with a last gasp header in the 2-2 draw with Parkgate
Man of the moment Mark Simpson rescued a point for rejuvenated Nostell Miners Welfare by scoring the late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Parkgate at Crofton.
Simpson popped up with a close range header with five minutes remaining to ensure that Ross Shelton’s penalty did not snatch all three points for the visitors.
Simpson, who only signed for Nostell eight days ago, has scored four goals in a week for the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division basement outfit – including two in their first win of the season on Tuesday night against fellow strugglers Glasshoughton.
His arrival has helped spark Nostell back to life and move them within touching distance of escaping the drop zone.
Only a week ago, the future looked bleak for Welfare. Darren Holmes’ men sat at the foot of the table with just two points on the back of three heavy defeats.
The doom and gloom has now gone and Nostell were confident of beating a Parkgate, who themselves were looking to respond to four straight defeats.
Nostell began extremely brightly and Matt Semley capitalised on plenty of space down the left wing to score the opener with a low finish with just six minutes gone on the clock.
The lead lasted for the same length of time. Nostell gave Parkgate captain Daniel Abdula too much room and the midfielder was able to score with powerful effort which flew down the middle of the goal.
Parkgate captain Daniel Abdula levels the scores at 1-1
Mark Simpson battles with Parkgate captain Daniel Abdula
Action from Nostell Miners Welfare 1-1 Parkgate
Action from Nostell Miners Welfare 1-1 Parkgate
Action from Nostell Miners Welfare 1-1 Parkgate
Ben Saynor is sent the wrong for Parkgate’s Ross Shelton’s penalty
From a quality point of view, the game was lacking it.
Nostell, who were without Evo Stik experienced players Simon Poole and Adam Hayton, were more of a threat than they were at St Helens Town in the poor performance in the FA Vase three weeks ago.
Simpson adds something that was missing. His quick feet and ability to take on defenders is a massive asset to Nostell in their fight to avoid relegation.
The striker carved out an opportunity from nothing at the start of the frantic last 15 minutes.
The former Pontefract Collieries players got beyond the Parkgate defence and fired high over the crossbar from a scoring position as the away goalkeeper Daniel Morton rushed out.
It initially appeared that Nostell would rue the miss when Parkgate were awarded a harsh penalty.
Referee Jason Tyas deemed that whilst Richard Dawley’s strong challenge had won the ball, the former Athersley Rec defender had fouled Scott Whittington in the process.
Shelton sent Nostell goalkeeper Ben Saynor the wrong way with the penalty and the Rotherham-based side looked on course for a much-needed victory.
Nostell refused to fold and secured their deserved point with an equaliser that some might say was justice for the penalty decision.
Parkgate’s defence collapsed like a pack of cards as the ball was sprayed out to the right wing to find the former Ossett Albion striker Dale Kelly.
Kelly looked up and sent a superb cross into the six-yard-box for Simpson to nod home past a helpless Morton.
Nostell Miners Welfare manager Darren Holmes said: “When they got the penalty I was a bit deflated.
“I thought we limited them to two or three chances and had some clear-cut chances at the other end.
“I’m reasonably pleased with today’s result even though we didn’t take all three points.
“When you’re at the foot of the table and struggling and you concede in the last ten minutes, you feel that luck has deserted us again.
“The lads have shown character.”
Parkgate manager Steve Adams said: “We were in a winning position and we’ve contributed to our own downfall by not picking up in the box when it was an easy situation to defend.
“I’m disappointed, but we have got something out of the game.
“It was important not to lose. When you come to places like Nostell, even they are well down the table, they are never going to make it easy.
“We knew it was going to be a battle, but we got our noses in front and we should have closed the game.
“It was probably a fair result. It wasn’t the greatest of games, but it never is when teams are scrapping for points.”
Nostell Miners Welfare: Saynor (captain), Dawley, Allsop, Moxon (T Semley 84), Walton, Varley, Moyce, Winslow, Kelly, Simpson, M Semley. Subs unused: Severn, Cuncliffe, Bayang.
Parkgate: Morton, Shaw, Lowe, Reay, McFadyen, Jones (Johnson 90), Shelton, Foulds, Whittington (Steer 82), Stapleford-Jones (Morley 77), Abdula (captain). Sub unused: Wright.
Referee: Jason Tyas (Holmfirth)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 48
Man of the match: Michael Jones (Parkgate)
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