Hemsworth winger Adam Wilson tackles Louth’s Jamie Coulson
Hemsworth Miners Welfare’s glorious 19-game unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt after a poor performance in the 4-0 home defeat to Louth Town.
Wayne Benn’s young side drop to sixth in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table as a consequence.
It was an off-day for Hemsworth, whose terrific form has seen them emerge as surprise promotion candidates.
Welfare remain in the thick of the hunt for a place in the top two, but it is a setback because all their rivals won.
The game started badly for the Wells and it never got any better. The first goal was converted after just five minutes after home goalkeeper Jack Bentley spilled Jordan Smith’s cross. This led to a scramble and Carl Martin stuck a leg out to score by latching onto Jack Wightwick’s ball which across the face of the goal.
Hemsworth did not panic. Memories of the magnificent late win at Clipstone last week will have been in many’s thoughts and they did respond initially.
Their main man Nick Guest was unable to connect with Nash Connolly’s cross and the striker then hit the crossbar with an audacious strike.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Nick Guest and co
Greg Andrews got Louth’s fourth goal with a strike from the halfway line
Hemsworth midfielder Robbie Crapper tries to stop a Louth attack
Hemsworth conceded the second goal at the worst possible time – on the stroke of half-time – after allowing Jamie Coulson space and time to drill a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Throughout the season, Louth have beaten some top sides including leaders Pontefract Collieries.
They were 2-0 up at half-time against Clipstone before losing 4-2 so that will have been on Paul Walden’s side’s mind as they came out for the second half.
Hemsworth had the majority of possession, but every time they ventured forward, Welfare were met by a wall of orange.
Louth goalkeeper Scott Drury was rarely troubled and Hemsworth really did need a miracle when the away side got their third goal on 65 minutes.
A poor back-pass by Sam Colbear was intercepted by Coulson and he teed-up Smith, who lashed the ball into the top corner.
A bad day at the office was soon summed by Greg Andrews’ ‘icing on the cake’ goal for Louth.
The midfielder went for goal from the halfway line and Bentley was unable to stop the ball from flying over his head and into the net.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn:
“I thought we got exactly what we deserved.
“Louth wanted it more than the first whistle to the last whistle.
“They have done a number on us and we weren’t at the races from the start to the finish.
“Why? I don’t know. When we have got so much to play for, I can’t explain a performance as flat and as poor as that.
“Having said that, we have been 19 games unbeaten and that is a fantastic effort by everyone concerned from management, players, fans.
“We don’t mind losing, but there is a right way to lose and today we lost that unbeaten record with a bit of whimper which is disappointing.
“We can’t have too many complaints. We have to dust ourselves down and go again next Saturday.”
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Bentley, Tonks, Clark, Crapper (Viggars 58), Colbear, Steers, Connolly, Guest (captain) (Kemp 73), Blair (Pugh 73). Subs unused: Hayward, Haywood.
Louth Town: Drury, Lowe, Lill, Stevens, Martin, Hyland, Smith (M’Spadden 68), Andrews, Coulson (Armstrong 78), Wightwick (Coulam 73), Rainer-Mistry.
Referee: Matthew Tyers
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 85
Man of the match: Jamie Coulson (Louth Town)