Positives for both clubs after bore draw

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

Nostell Miners Welfare 0-0 Garforth Town

• Interim manager Kev Allsop took charge of Nostell after the resignation of Paul Lines on Thursday afternoon.
• A draw was a fair result after few chances were created by both sides. Garforth striker Curtly Martin-Wyatt did hit the crossbar.

Curtly Martin-Wyatt hit the crossbar in the second half of Garforth’s 0-0 draw at Nostell

A draw was probably right and both managers would have taken a draw privately prior to kick-off. Garforth desperately needed some kind of result after several heavy defeats, while Nostell were still recovering from the shock resignation of Paul Lines 24 hours earlier.

Lines’ departure could have brought further turmoil if players had chosen to leave. Instead, every player that took part put in a shift for interim boss Kev Allsop, who was an assistant to Lines and is now in charge for the foreseeable future. The draw is the start of his mission to guide Nostell away from relegation danger and onto safer shores.

Garforth, seeking a change in luck which has deserted them since November, probably hoped that the exit of Lines would help their cause, even more so if you look at their record at Crofton. Two years ago, Graham Nicholas and his team were booed off after Nostell, led then by Darren Holmes, won for the first time in four months. Last season the boos were even louder after Rob Bordman scored four of Nostell’s six goals in the embarrassing 6-1 demolition.

The heavy wind made it a struggle for both sides in the first half. Garforth had spurts of pressure, but Nostell looked the more dangerous. Miners goalkeeper Tom Osborne was most tested close to half-time from Matthew Johnson’s rasping long range effort.

Garforth were more of a threat going forward in the second half. Garforth striker Curtly Martin-Wyatt hit the crossbar with a header midway through the second half, by far the best chance of the 90 minutes.

Nostell themselves had little sparks in winger Luke Gordon and substitute Simon Poole. Their pace did rattle Garforth on a couple of occasions. Apart from conceding three free kicks in silly areas, Garforth were ten times better defensively, compared with the last few weeks.

The introduction late-on of returning striker Mark Simpson to Garforth’s frontline gave their supporters and players fresh belief that the winner could be found. Simpson unlocked his old club Nostell at least twice with his ability to move past defenders with ease. He gave a spark that the match was missing, just not the goal that the crowd were craving.

Nostell almost stole the points right at the death. Poole, using his speed, burst into the Garforth box and passed to debutant Liam Radford. The former Pontefract Collieries striker, in a good position, dragged his shot wide.

Nostell Miners Welfare interim manager Kev Allsop:

Garforth Town manager Adrian Costello:

Nostell Miners Welfare: Hall, Beaston, Allsop (Tolley 80), Davis, Zalo, Donoghue (Waldron 68), Smith, (Poole 68), Gordon, Radford, Johnson, Mhlolo. Subs unused: Farnhill, Bennett.
Garforth Town: Osborne, J Alali, K Alali, Jones, McCrum (Robertson 85), Kidd, Outerbridge, McMillan (Simpson 770, Martin-Wyatt, Lund, Harris. Subs unused: Simpkins, Benjamin, Bartley.
Referee: Chris Akers
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 106
Man of the match: Frank Zalo (Nostell Miners Welfare)