Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town 3-1 Dronfield Town
Brad Walker celebrates his opening goal with Fraser Lancaster and George Eustance. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
There were three red cards, plenty of yellow cards and four goals as Knaresborough kept their slim play-offs hopes alive after a hell-for-leather clash with nine-man Dronfield Town.
The first punch was thrown by Knaresborough as star striker Brad Walker raced onto Fraser Lancaster’s header to fire the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Dronfield equalised straight after the interval through Blake Owen’s spot kick.
Knaresborough soon restored their lead as Walker won the 50/50 battle with Dronfield goalkeeper Steven Booth. The ball came loose and Walker placed it in the empty net.
With the card count up to six, it was inevitable that red cards would come and Dronfield’s Jamie Willis was the first to make an early exit.
Knaresborough then lost Dan McDaid for a second bookable offence after he kicked the ball away.
Fatlum Ibrahimi eventually sealed Knaresborough’s victory with a free kick in the 85th minute.
There was also time for a final sending-off as Dronfield’s Carlton Dickinson sent a straight red after an altercation with Ben Parkes.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Maulin, Lenehan, McDaid, Parkes, Ibrahimi, Bradley, Eustance, Walker, Lancaster. Subs: Atkinson, Joyce, Wilson.
Referee: Ricky Taylor
Attendance: 72