Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town 2-1 Worsbrough Bridge
Worsbrough Bridge gave everything, but conceded two late goals. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Ten man Worsbrough were unbelievably two minutes away from ending their 23 match winless run until Brad Walker pounced twice to steal the points for Knaresborough Town.
Bridge only took ten over to North Yorkshire after a late withdrawal, but that inspired them to
an excellent display that deserved at least a draw, arguably the win. Youngster Brad Kerr put Bridge on the brink of an unlikely victory with his first half goal.
Led by inspirational captain Mark Wilson, Worsbrough appeared to have enough gas to hold out, despite it being their third game four days. But, as Bridge can testify, football is extremely cruel sometimes, especially when Walker snatched a dramatic victory for the hosts.
Knaresborough will say it was a poetic end as the Division One clash should have been played two weeks ago. The game had to be re-arranged as Worsbrough were unable to raise a side on that day, leading to its postponement at 1.30pm.
Some Knaresborough fans will have been very confident of turning their visitors over when the delayed fixture did kick off. That was far from the case though.
Bridge set up with every man behind the ball with Kerr as the useful attacking outlet. His speed and pace caused huge problems for Knaresborough. The highly-rated striker had five yards on the Knaresborough defence every-time the ball got played forward. Goalkeeper Jack Rushworth rescued his team with a fine save during Kerr’s first break, but the second saw the striker finish neatly.
Brad Kerr (right) scored for Worsbrough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Mark Wilson (left) was a clear man of the match. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Action from Knaresborough 2-1 Worsbrough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Worsbrough Bridge interim manager Ian Shirt looks on. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Action from Knaresborough 2-1 Worsbrough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Knaresborough celebrate Brad Walker’s late winner. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Despite carrying tired and injured players, Worsbrough’s second half display deserves huge credit. Wilson was the talisman who put his body on the line in tackles and with several blocks.
Knaresborough created little until the final ten minutes. The pressure was slowly mounting on Worsbrough and Colin Heath’s header against the post gave Knaresborough hope of a late rally.
Their fans got it too as Walker lashed home a low drive from distance. It did come with a slight degree of fortunate as there appeared to be a foul in the build-up.
With Worsbrough running on empty, Knaresborough applied the fatal blow – Walker scoring with a header from Paul Atkinson’s cross.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Radcliffe, Pascal (Parkes 11), Cook (Joyce 28), Bradley (captain) (Heath 58), Ibrahimi, Maulin, Walker, Lancaster, Atkinson.
Worsbrough Bridge: Davies, K Shirt, Goodyear, Wilson (captain), Lycett, Parcetts, D Shirt, Whitehead, Kerr, Portman, Neale.
Referee: Jamie Waters
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 77
Man of the match: Mark Wilson (Worsbrough Bridge)