Jack Fisher was outstanding for Nostell in their 2-1 semi-final win at Maltby Main
Nostell Miners Welfare players, supporters and officials will be practicing their best Frank Sinatra impression after James Kitson dramatically booked their trip to the New York Stadium.
Kitson’s 90th minute strike trickled over the line in slow motion to earn his side a 2-1 victory at Maltby Main in the extremely tense Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup semi-final tie.
Nostell will visit Rotherham United’s New York Stadium on Friday May 1st to face either Frickley Athletic or Handsworth Parramore.
A place in the prestigious final acts as a huge reward for Paul Lines and his team, who have led an amazing turnaround in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club’s fortunes since November.
They had to work hard for the win and also survive a lot of pressure in the second half in a tight game.
But, the visitors deserved a bit of luck after the diabolical refereeing display which heavily contributed towards the 4-2 defeat to Worksop on Saturday.
Initially luck was against them as influential captain Dave Bordman limped off and then an atrocious decision by one of the assistant referee saw Maltby awarded a penalty close to half-time.
Despite his height, Brian Cusworth won a penalty as the woeful assistant referee believed that the striker had been barged in the back. Justice was done when Gary Hibbert blasted the spot kick over the crossbar and into the housing estate behind the ground.
Nostell caught Maltby out straight after the interval. Matthew Thompson’s superb pass across the field sent Dale Kelly away down the right-wing and the versatile player showed great composure with a low finish past Maltby goalkeeper Ben Brunt.
Backed by a large and vocal support, Maltby turned the game into the battle of the Alamo. Their main weapon was Nicky Darker’s cruise missile of a long throw.
Nostell had to deal with over half a dozen of them with each one causing danger. Goalkeeper Ben Saynor did extremely well with most. He also made a great save from Darker, whose shot appeared goal-bound from 12 yards out.
Nostell were very worried about Cusworth as he had scored a hat-trick against them in January. Jack Fisher and Max Elliott kept him quiet, but they had to contend with a lot of problems thrown at them.
Eventually the pressure told and Maltby deservedly equalised with 18 minutes remaining, but the same assistant referee involved in the penalty decision played a starring role in the build-up. He incorrectly awarded Maltby a throw in a dangerous area of the pitch. That allowed Darker to launch the ball into the penalty area and substitute Martin Jones was able to poke home the leveller.
Maltby continued on the front-foot as the prospect of extra-time loomed. Nostell were struggling as Wayne Ball and Kelly had to go off injured as they prepared to face a Maltby corner. However, history will tell that their replacements made the difference.
Simon Poole added athleticism and experience, while 16-year-old Billy Mole brought youthful enthusiasm and it was the latter who provided the assist for the winner.
Mole’s trickery on the left-wing opened the door for a pass to Kitson, who fired low and hard from the edge of the area. Maltby stopper Brunt appeared to save the effort. However, the ball came loose and rolled over the line at a slow speed to spark the celebrations.
The goal continues Kitson’s brilliant start to his time at Nostell having being signed as an unknown quantity from West Yorkshire League outfit Rothwell Juniors.
Maltby had little time to respond and a bad foul on Poole wound the clock even further down before referee Chris Ward eventually called time.
Maltby Main: Brunt, Dan Smith, Hibbert, Wesley, Fearon, Penty, Forster, Darker, Cusworth, Dean Smith (Jones 58), Dockerty (Kelly 67). Subs unused:Bate, Dacre, Coker.
Nostell Miners Welfare: Saynor, Johnson, Ball, Thompson, Fisher, Elliott, Kitson, D Bordman (Davies 18), Kelly, R Bordman, Wales. Subs unused: Varley, Booth.
Referee: Chris Ward
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Jack Fisher (Nostell Miners Welfare)
Read the thoughts of Nostell Miners Welfare manager Paul Lines tomorrow.