Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hall Road Rangers 0-3 Hemsworth Miners Welfare
All roads lead to Dronfield: Hemsworth captain Jason Yates scored the penalty which set them on their way at Hall Road.
Promotion is not officially confirmed yet, but the huge army of Hemsworth Miners Welfare fans who sung “the Wells are going up” throughout the afternoon at Haworth Park are not wrong. The chanting started as soon as their leader Jason Yates squeezed a penalty into the bottom corner in the 17th minute.
Mathematically the job is not done yet as two more points are needed to secure promotion, a matter that can be resolved at Dronfield Town on Tuesday night. Add a further victory on top and by next Saturday night, the champions-elect will have deservedly won the title.
The Wells turned out in their droves for the latest instalment of a magnificent and what will be a historic season. Literally every seat was filled on the coach (no word of a lie) and many more followed in cars. Those travelling were hoping AFC Emley would fail to win at Dronfield, allowing the Wells to get part one of their two aims done and dusted. That didn’t come off as Emley steamrolled Dronfield.
Not that Emley were a distraction because Hemsworth just concentrated on their own business, showing huge professionalism to guide themselves to a fairly comfortable victory. As Wayne Benn summed up in his interview, “who cares” how the victory was achieved.
The pitch, bobbly and difficult to play on, made the first half a tricky affair than the Wells probably expected. Hall Road, without troubling Wells goalkeeper Chris Snaith, caused the odd problem after winning a succession of corners. Hemsworth’s back four also deserve massive credit for their displays as once again it was young line-up. Seventeen-year-old Josh Bucknall was given 90 minutes. He and his three young cohorts Cameron Clark, Harry Viggars and Adam Wilson were outstanding.
Hemsworth right-back Adam Wilson is fouled
Hemsworth captain Jason Yates successfully scores his penalty
Nash Connolly joins Yates to celebrate
Connolly and Yates are joined by Lee Swift, Billy Law and Harry Viggars
Billy Law heads home Hemsworth’s second goal
Law celebrates with Shane Kelsey
17-year-old Josh Bucknall was again at the heart of Hemsworth’s defence
Hemsworth left-back Cameron Clark in action
Sam Jones adds Hemsworth’s third
The home side were orchestrators of their own downfall after a needless challenge on one of Hemsworth’s key men Shane Kelsey earned the visitors a penalty. Yates successfully converted it.
The second half saw Hemsworth completely dominate and turn it into attack against defence for long periods. The pressure was building on Hall Road and there was no-surprise when Kelsey headed the ball back across goal for Billy Law to nod it into the empty net.
Snaith earned his corn with a goal-preventing save from a Ben Kinsley free kick. There were a few other minor as the seconds faded away. Hemsworth deserved a third goal to under-line their dominance and that with four minutes left as Sam Jones was given time and room shoot past Jordan Douglas from close range.
Chants of “the Wells are going up” were audible again, just like they will be at Dronfield…
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn:
Hall Road Rangers: Douglas, Garth (Dean 69), Thompson, Harrison, Blount, Walsh, Kinsley, Foster, Walker, P Harrison (McKay 81), J Harrison (Hawksworth 60). Subs unused: Wilson.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson Hayward 69), Clark, Swift, Viggars, Bucknall, Connolly, Yates (captain), Law, Jones (Pickering 87), Kelsey (Pugh 69). Subs unused: Burns.
Referee: Colin Unwin
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 93
Man of the match: Harry Viggars (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)