Danny Critchlow scored a hat-trick, but must have wondered how he did not score more
Table-toppers Hemsworth Miners Welfare were far from at their best after making hard work of whipping boys Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the 6-3 win in Fitzwilliam.
The Toolstation NCEL Division One leaders put on a lethargic display against a side that only has four points and were beaten 11-1 at AFC Emley only last week.
Following the game yesterday, Hemsworth held their annual bonfire night. Wayne Benn might have been tempted to use the fireworks earlier in the home dressing room to display his frustrations.
Some fans arriving the MDC Stadium probably hoped that their team would break the record win for the NCEL – the 18-year standing record of Tadcaster’s 13-0 demolition of Bildworth.
The chances looked high especially after Hemsworth’s 8-1 battering of Worsbrough on Tuesday night. The Wells were 7-0 up after just 40 minutes in that, but failed to take countless chances in the second half.
History repeated itself yesterday as opportunity after opportunity went begging which meant Lincoln were heavily let-off in Hemsworth’s eight league win on the spin.
Hemsworth captain Jason Yates fired his side ahead from the penalty spot
Shane Kelsey ran rings around Lincoln
Adam Wilson on the attack for Hemsworth
Hemsworth winger Nash Connolly can’t bear to look after one of many missed chances
Sam Jones congratulates Danny Critchlow after his first goal
Signs of a total annihilation were there after seven minutes as Wells captain Jason Yates placed his side in front with a cool penalty. Unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint, a total demolition never happened.
Lincoln threw the form book out of the window by choosing not to completely collapse and instead equalised straightaway. All this came courtesy of Wells goalkeeper Chris Snaith’s mis-cued clearance. That kept the ball in dangerous territory and Adam Crossley scored from distance.
Two quick-fire goal then put back Hemsworth on course for a big score-line with Danny Critchlow and Shane Kelsey both scoring from close range.
The Wells then let themselves down again by letting Josh Schofield score to cut the deficit to one goal.
Lincoln gifted Hemsworth their fourth goal on 35 minutes as goalkeeper Richard Greenway collided with his own defender – enabling Kelsey to place the ball into the empty net.
Apart from Alex MacKinder making the score 4-3, it was all Hemsworth in the second half.
Chances went wide, over, came back off the woodwork or fell into Greenway’s hands so it made it a frustrating 45 minutes.
Critchlow, who has been in red hot form since arriving from Stocksbridge Park Steels, eventually sealed the points on the hour by converting Kelsey’s cross.
He completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds, but the striker wasn’t the story. His side’s inability to be clinical was.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn: “I’m not happy at all.
“I thought we were embarrassing today, if I’m completely honest. I’ll protect the players as much as the next manager, but that level of performance was not good enough.
“We have struggled against the bottom two sides in the last couple of weeks and it is the mindset.
“We’re not saying we expect to go out there and win six, seven, eight, nine-nil because you have to earn the right and give the opposition respect.
“Every aspect of our game – work rate, endeavour, commitment, quality, our passing was miles off and I’m sat here after a 6-3, sitting top of the league and I’m disappointed.
“It shouldn’t be like that and they need to have a hard long look at themselves.”
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson (Hayward 67), Clark (Tonks 67), Jones, Viggars, Steers, Connolly (Blair 67), Yates, Law, Critchlow, Kelsey.
Lincoln Moorlands Railway: Greenway, Parker (Clancey 55), Newbeary, Lockwood, Slclpper, Warman, Schofield, Andrews, Crossley, Mackinder, Driver.
Referee: Ashley Guest
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 113
Man of the match: Shane Kelsey (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)
A fair assessment of the match. If half the chances had been converted, the score would have gone to double figures. At the end of the day, its three points, in their quest for promotion.