Nostell unlucky in defeat to Hallam

Toolstation NCEL Division One

Nostell Miners Welfare 0-1 Hallam

Hallam celebrate Joel Purkiss' late goal

Hallam celebrate Joel Purkiss’ late goal

Joel Purkiss sent Hallam top of the table and broke the hearts of gutsy Nostell Miners Welfare after scoring the late winner.

Manager-less Nostell pushed the league heavyweights all the way with a performance that their chairman Kev Allsop described as miles better than recent displays.

First Team Coach Terry Bates and second team duo Scott Atkinson and Mark Booth led Nostell, in the wake of the resignation of Graham Nicholas, and the trio will have been proud of their patched-up side’s efforts.

At least three players have walked out of the club since Nicholas quit so they had to scramble around on Friday to get a full squad together.

No-one looked out of place and it was the home side that did the early pace setting. Hallam, without deadly strikers Michael Blythen and Jake Currie, along with captain Tim Whittaker, took time to get going.

Action from Nostell 0-1 Hallam

Action from Nostell 0-1 Hallam

Ryan Mottley-Henry strikes for goal

Ryan Mottley-Henry strikes for goal

Hallam manager Ryan Hindley watches on

Hallam manager Ryan Hindley watches on

Nostell captain Franck Zalo battling

Nostell captain Franck Zalo battling

Franck Zalo in one of his many battles with Hallam captain James Reed

Franck Zalo in one of his many battles with Hallam captain James Reed

Nostell defender Blaine Kellett plays a pass

Nostell defender Blaine Kellett plays a pass

Hallam attacker Jed Phillips strikes for goal

Hallam attacker Jed Phillips strikes for goal

Nostell clear their lines after the ball shoots across the box

Nostell clear their lines after the ball shoots across the box

Fidel Mhlolo attempts to clear his lines

Fidel Mhlolo attempts to clear his lines

Nostell winger Ryan Mottley-Henry attempts to get away from Jed Phillips

Nostell winger Ryan Mottley-Henry attempts to get away from Jed Phillips

Scott Atkinson (left) and Mark Booth (right), two of Nostell's caretaker management trio discuss the game

Scott Atkinson (left) and Mark Booth (right), two of Nostell’s caretaker management trio discuss the game

Terry Bates, the other part of Nostell's caretaker management trio

Terry Bates, the other part of Nostell’s caretaker management trio

James Reed tackles Mottley-Henry

James Reed tackles Mottley-Henry

Mottley-Henry gets away from Reed, but Hallam left-back Micah Bishop comes steaming in

Mottley-Henry gets away from Reed, but Hallam left-back Micah Bishop comes steaming in

The ball runs loose and Zalo flies in on Reed

The ball runs loose and Zalo flies in on Reed

Chances were limited, but no-one could question the commitment of the players. There were a string of meaty, but fair tackles. Opposing captain Franck Zalo (Nostell) and James Reed (Hallam) had a long running battle in the middle of the park, without anyone crossing the line.

Notably Stefan Connor and Steve Smith shared some great touches, with the latter scaring Hallam’s backline on a couple of occasions with his pace. All what was missing from Nostell’s performance was their end product.

Nostell tired as the second half wore which allowed Hallam to exert pressure. Home goalkeeper Richard Watson denied Purkiss early on, but the striker came back for more with 20 minutes – scoring with a low 20-yard strike.

The defeat, their fourth on the spin, dropped Nostell to third-bottom, but with that kind of display they should start looking up the table.

Bishop attempts to catch up with Mottley-Henry

Bishop attempts to catch up with Mottley-Henry

Hallam attacker Jed Phillips tangles with Nostell's Tom Booth

Hallam attacker Jed Phillips tangles with Nostell’s Tom Booth

The pair end up on the deck

The pair end up on the deck

Steve Smith holds off Hallam pair Reed and Bishop

Steve Smith holds off Hallam pair Reed and Bishop

What They Said

Nostell Miners Welfare chairman Kev Allsop

Hallam manager Ryan Hindley

The Teams

Nostell Miners Welfare: Watson, Booth, Mhlolo (Middleton 82), Zalo (captain), Donoghue, Kellett, Mottley-Henry, Scott Smith, Connor (Redford 76), Steve Smith, Tonkinson (Beaumont 66). Subs unused: Bartley, Pell.

Hallam: Darwent, Greaves, Bishop, Chapell, Roebuck, Pemberton, Ord (Flynn 76), Reed (captain), Purkiss, Bates (Williamson 82), Phillips. Subs unused: Simpson, Hill, Hindley.

Who Was In Charge

Jamie Waters (10/10)

Referee Jamie Waters talks to the captains Franck Zalo and James Reed after a couple of tasty challenges

Referee Jamie Waters talks to the captains Franck Zalo and James Reed after a couple of tasty challenges

Waters handled the game very well. There were some feisty tackles, but he kept on top of the game.

How Many Were There

TBC

Men of the Match

Franck Zalo (Nostell Miners Welfare)

Nostell captain Franck Zalo in action

Nostell captain Franck Zalo in action

James Reed (Hallam)

Stand-in Hallam captain James Reed

Stand-in Hallam captain James Reed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *