Brian Cusworth scored hat-trick in Maltby Main’s 4-1 win at Nostell
Nostell failed to deal with Brian Cusworth and ultimately paid the price as the experienced frontman hit a hat-trick in Maltby Main’s 4-1 win in Crofton.
Mick Norbury got the perfect response from the humiliating 11-0 defeat to Shaw Lane Aquaforce last week with a win that pushes Maltby further away from the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division relegation zone.
It still leaves Nostell at the foot of the table, but Paul Lines can at least take comfort from defeats for fellow strugglers Glasshoughton, Armthorpe and Retford.
Lines’ bid to revitalise Nostell’s fortunes have been hampered since his appointment in November.
The visit of Maltby was ridiculously only his third league game in charge because of a series of free weekends and a number of postponements.
Building a winning team without actually playing in a long period of time is difficult and that was evident in Nostell’s display.
Six changes were made from the side that lost narrowly at Barton Town Old Boys three weeks ago.
New signings Jack Fisher and Henry Owen were thrown straight in and there was also a return to playing action for club stalwart Wayne Ball.
Nostell new signing Henry Owen is chased by Brian Cusworth
Rob Bordman scored and also hit the post for Nostell
But with a new side still getting to know each other’s names, there was a lack in energy.
Maltby had a point to prove and the visitors had four new faces in their side – in particular highly-rated Matty Outram.
Outram, back at the club after a short time away, played a pivotal role in the victory.
His free kick in the seventh minute caught Nostell fast asleep in their penalty area.
Outram simply aimed for Cusworth’s head and the unmarked striker planted the ball in the net, beyond goalkeeper Adam Rhodes’ reach.
Rhodes was kept busy keeping Nostell in the game with two superb saves Regan Kelly in the space of two minutes.
Nostell relied on luck and a bit of magic to carve out their chances.
Owen’s header was parried by Ben Brunt and Simon Poole reacted first and hit the left-hand post from inside the penalty area.
Henry Owen’s header about to be saved by Ben Brunt
Brunt parried the header and Nostell’s Simon Poole (right) hit the post with the rebound attempt
Stalwart Wayne Ball was back in Nostell’s side
Rob Bordman also rattled the other post with a low drive, but Nostell were unable to hit back and conceded early in the second half.
The home side just did not get to grips with Cusworth and the striker was once again presented with a straightforward close range header for the second goal.
Heads drops and Maltby took advantage by scoring a third.
Outram pulled away from the Nostell defence and lobbed the on-rushing Rhodes.
Outram’s own attempt was heading into the net, but the strike was put down as an own goal because of Matthew Johnson’s failed effort to clear it.
To the players’ credit, they had to play in awful windy conditions. The rain started to pour with 20 minutes remaining and the elements pinned Maltby into their own half for a short spell.
Johnson and Poole produced wayward shots before Bordman conjured up his usual moment of genius with a spectacular blast from an audacious angle to pull a goal back.
There was even still time for a grandstand finish until Maltby quickly squashed Nostell’s glimmer of hope.
Cusworth was played through on goal and he finished with aplomb to complete his treble and restore Maltby back to winning ways after a bad week.
Nostell Miners Welfare manager Paul Lines:
“It was a game we definitely targeted three points from.
“With Glasshoughton playing Wandsworth and Armthorpe playing Worksop, I did target this as the start of the New Year and the start of trying to build something.
“We were never at the races today. With first and second balls, when we won the first, we didn’t win the second ball and the intensity wasn’t there today.
“We didn’t get hold of (Brian) Cusworth and they were warned about him before the game about him being dangerous from set-pieces and in the air.
“We switched off and he showed his class.”
Maltby Main manager Mick Norbury:
“After last week, you have to be pleased with a win and three points.
“It is hard whether you’re playing against the top or bottom of the league.
“Nostell are fighting for their lives and I thought we showed a lot of character today.”
On Cusworth: “Cussy is class and he’s 36-year-old and he thrives on balls into the box and that’s what we have been missing a bit.
“So we brought Matty Outram in today and he’s renowned for putting balls in the box and that’s what he did.
“With the first set-piece he put it on a ten-bob note and Cussy finished it because from six or eight yard out, Cussy is not going to miss.”
Nostell Miners Welfare: Rhodes, Thompson, Ball (Jackson HT), Fisher, Owen (captain), Kane, Moxon, Porter (Moyce 65), Poole, Bordman, Heselion (Odukomaya 75). Subs unused: Saynor, Varley.
Maltby Main: Brunt, Daniel Smith, Bagnall, Coker, Hibbert, Penty, Darker (captain), Cusworth, Dean Smith (Batte 60), Outram (Forster 75). Subs unused: Norbury, Payne, Spruce.
Referee: Jimmy Price (Bradford)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 64
Man of the match: Matty Outram (Maltby Main)
You can see the full album of photos on our Facebook page this afternoon.