Dean Smith’s thunderbolt strike earned Maltby Main all three points at Athersley
Maltby Main deservedly recorded their third victory in four games with a 2-1 win at Athersley Recreation.
The victory almost ensures Maltby’s status in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division for next season.
Gary Hibbert hit the crossbar in an early Maltby attack before a Bradley Dockerty scored a superb goal.
His long run took him past several Athersley defenders and after exchanging a pass with Luke Norbury, the midfielder buried the ball in the bottom corner.
The tide turned in the second half as Athersley gained the front foot. In the 50th minute, Ryan Smith levelled the scores.
A substitution brought Maltby back to life and Dockerty provided the assist for Dean Smith to score from 30 yard with a thunderbolt.
Maltby did have to ride a nervy finish as their captain Nicky Darker was dismissed after using his elbow in a challenge.
Athersley Recreation: May, Siddall, Cook, Alcock, Briscoe, White (captain), Scargill, Hyales, Joynes, Smith, Ripley. Subs: Shillito, Mackie, Frosticle, Bentley, Tyas.
Maltby Main: Herriott, Daniel Smith, Hibbert, Darker (captain), Fearon, Penty, Kelly, Dean Smith, Norbury, Forster, Dockerty. Subs: Coker, Dacre, Jones.
Referee: Simon Mather
Attendance: 81
Thanks to Ben Storey of Maltby Main for this report. If you want your club’s reports to be featured on Non League Yorkshire each week, send descriptions of key incidents and team line-ups to info@nonleagueyorkshire.com