Evo Stik Division One South
Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-2 Goole AFC
Aaron Moxam scored twice for Goole AFC
The 12 game winless run ended as Aaron Moxam secured Lee Morris his first win as Goole AFC manager with both goals in the hard-fought victory at Bracken Moor.
Moxam scored twice in the second half to earn his side all three points and damage Stocksbridge’s play-offs hopes.
Goole now have five points breathing space on second-bottom Loughborough Dynamo along with four games in hand. But 14 more performances like that then Goole will not have to worry about the dreaded ‘r’ word.
There were a few lucky escapes, notably in the first eight minutes. Rory Coleman was unfortunate not to find the net after watching his effort at the back-post get deflected onto the crossbar. The pace of Steels forward Joe Lumsden did cause Goole problems and they were left exposed when he passed to Scott Ruthven. The chance went begging as Ruthven fired aimlessly wide.
Manager Morris, a former Frickley team-mate of Steels boss Chris Hilton and in his second game at the helm, could be heard to shout ‘you’ve had your let-off’ and his team heeded the message. From then on Goole were much tighter at the back and although some of Stocksbridge’s movement and passing upfront was superb, the final pass was never there.
Goole broke the deadlock on the hour. Goalkeeper Danny Waring’s long free kick reached the feet of former Pontefract striker Moxam. He turned and brilliantly applied a hard and low finish from outside the penalty area to raise the hopes of the big travelling support.
Stocksbridge hit back with several chances. Lumsden spurned the first one with a header from close range from Adam Hincliffe’s perfectly-weighted cross. Defender Matt Reay also headed against the crossbar.
The decisive moment came two minutes from time. Former Steels striker Nathan Joynes, signed at the last minute yesterday afternoon from Handsworth Parramore, crossed from the left to give Moxam an easy goal from inside the six-yard box.
Stocksbridge gave themselves extremely late hope deep into injury-time as Ruthven scored the rebound after Coleman’s long range attempt was batted away by Waring.
It was far too late and a dramatic equaliser would have been harsh on Goole.
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton:
Goole AFC manager Lee Morris:
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D Reay, Meade, Tootle, Gregory, McFadyen, M Reay, Maw (Hinchliffe 63), Biggins, Ruthven, Lumsden, Coleman. Subs unused: Palling, Poulton, Thompson, Laight.
Goole AFC: Waring, Greasley, Taylor, Foster (Stannard 66), Colbear (captain), Darley, Robson, Booth, Joynes, Guest, Moxam. Subs unused: Mackie, Kay, Morris.
Referee: Jamie Rhodes
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 127
Man of the match: Ben Greasley (Goole AFC)