Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 0-1 Hallam
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
Ryan Mottley-Henry strikes for goal
Hallam manager Ryan Hindley watches on
Nostell captain Franck Zalo battling
Franck Zalo in one of his many battles with Hallam captain James Reed
Nostell defender Blaine Kellett plays a pass
Hallam attacker Jed Phillips strikes for goal
Nostell clear their lines after the ball shoots across the box
Fidel Mhlolo attempts to clear his lines
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
Terry Bates, the other part of Nostell’s caretaker management trio
James Reed tackles Mottley-Henry
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
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
Hallam attacker Jed Phillips tangles with Nostell’s Tom Booth
The pair end up on the deck
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
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
James Reed (Hallam)
Stand-in Hallam captain James Reed