Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 3-0 Eccleshill United
Connor Presley was Nostell’s hat-trick hero
American wonder-kid Connor Presley’s hat-trick provided lift-off for basement side Nostell Miners Welfare, whose 14 game winless in the league ended.
Smiles were back on the faces of the club’s volunteers, who have had to endure a disastrous start to the season.
Nostell deserved their victory, their first league success under Chris Ellerby.
Presley was the hero with his treble, which takes his tally to four goals in two games. The 18-year-old American attacker is a temporary recruit from Aspire Pro Sports while he sorts his visa out. He has previously played for FC Dallas and has had trials with professional clubs in the UK.
Presley enjoyed a tremendous opening 25 minutes which saw him put Nostell into a commanding position.
The home side did ride a bit of luck as the usually lethal Marcus Edwards missed three clearcut chances.
Understandably there was tension as the second half wore-on, but Nostell, who defended very well, fully deserved their victory.
Presley had threatened to complete his hat-trick on two occasions before finally doing do in the last minute after racing through on goal.
Has the corner been turned? Let’s see in a few weeks, but more of the same then it will have been.
The Teams
Nostell Miners Welfare: Stead, Wadsworth, Connelly, Zalo, Wallace, Kellett, Presley, Thompson, Grogan, Irving (captain), Hurles-Brook. Subs: Busfield, Judson, Pearson, Hillhouse.
Eccleshill United: Blyth, Storr, Shah, Flaherty, Bradley (captain), Hudson, Harrop, Singh, Mathers, Cooper, Edwards. Subs: Springer, Gascoyne, Beck.
Who Was In Charge
Lee Freeman (7/10)
A few too many unnecessary yellow cards were the only dent in Mr Cooper’s performance in a straight-forward game.
How Many Were There
68