Anthony Ryan sets Armthorpe on their way to a 2-1 victory at Nostell
Armthorpe Welfare put a bad week behind them and secured a potentially important 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Nostell Miners Welfare.
The victory denied Paul Lines his first point as Nostell’s new manager and opened a five point cushion between third-bottom Armthorpe and the second-bottom hosts in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division table.
Goals at the start and finish of the match earned Armthorpe their win and totally erased memories of the 10-0 defeat to Tadcaster Albion in midweek.
Nostell were hoping to move above them in the proverbial six-pointer and out of the relegation zone by securing three points in Lines’ first league game in charge.
Lines, who has brought fresh optimism to Crofton, has been tasked with keeping the club up and then steering them in an unprecedented direction, but his new-look side were unable to get off to a winning start.
Three new players – Greg Porter, James Burgess and Stefan Connor – made the starting line-up with Rob Bordman, who made his debut against Handsworth Parramore.
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Nostell fail to deal with the free kick that enabled Armthorpe to take the lead
Nostell allow Armthorpe Welfare captain Andrew Walkden to shoot
Armthorpe Welfare defender Anthony Wright put his side ahead after just two minutes
One of those missed chances: Nostell’s Dale Kelly is unable to connect with the ball
But the script did not go according to plan for Nostell as a bad start after just two minutes put them on the back foot.
Nostell defended poorly from a free kick from the left. The free kick was not dealt with and Armthorpe captain Andrew Walkden was able to get a shot away.
Ben Saynor made the save, but was unable to hold onto the ball which allowed Anthony Ryan to smash it home from inches out.
Armthorpe could have even got a second goal. Joe Lumsden managed to get past Nostell centre half and captain Tom Brook and the home side were saved when the striker fired poorly wide as Saynor approached.
In patches, Nostell played well and were much more of a threat going forward than in recent games.
Bordman, who is destined to score lots of goals, smashed the post and Burgress forced an excellent save out of William Biggs.
Armthorpe sat back in the second half and soaked up most of what Nostell threw at them. Goalkeeper Biggs had little to do, although Burgess did rattle the crossbar.
The away side had their moments and with three minutes go, the points were seemingly wrapped up.
A long ball down the left-wing was initially head for offside Jay Rollins and assistant referee David Holbrook flagged.
However, Rollins did not touch the ball and substitute Kieron Benson sprinted away with the ball.
Referee Garreth Rhodes correctly waved his assistant’s flag down and Benson made his way in the box and passed towards Lumsden, who easily scored from close range.
Armthorpe weren’t sailing into the sunset just yet as there was still time for a twist in the story.
Poor defending allowed Nostell to pull a goal back. Substitute Dene Dewing was given far too much room and the striker scored from a difficult angle.
An equaliser, which would have been harsh on Armthorpe, was not forthcoming.
Lines can now start putting his wide-ranging changes into place during the 17-day break before the visit of Pickering to Crofton in early December.
Nostell Miners Welfare manager Paul Lines:
“It was disappointing in the grand scheme of things that if we had got a point or three we would have been up and running.
“But the season won’t be won or lost today. I have been in the job six days so we have done well to put a decent side together.
“There are some areas that need sorting in regards of the team. The ones that came in today put a shift in and did alright.
“There is something to build on. I thought we had the lion’s share percentage of the ball and we created a lot of chances.
“We hit the bar twice and hit the post twice. It was going to be one of the those days.”
Armthorpe Welfare manager Brian Johnston:
“It was very important to get three points and have a response from Tuesday night.
“The three points were more important than anything.
“It could have gone either way. I thought we had a few chances in the first half to put it to bed.
“The game was competitive. The players stuck at it and maybe we just deserved it.
“You think, is it the right time to play a team with a new manager and a load of new signings?
“He’s signed some decent players such a number nine (Rob Bordman). You need a couple of players like him.”
Nostell Miners Welfare: Saynor, Moxon, W Hayton, A Hayton (Allsop 65), Brook (captain), Kelly, Simpson (Dewing 65), Porter, Bordman, Burgess, Connor (Semley HT). Sub unused: Kendall.
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Bunn, Walkden (captain), Ryan, Gibbons, Johnston, Rollins, Aspinall, Lumsden, Preston (Benson 65), McLaughlin. Subs unused: J Hardman, S Hardman, Sarr, Copley.
Referee: G Rhodes (Barkston Ash)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 50
Man of the match: Anthony Ryan (Armthorpe Welfare)
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