Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1-2 AFC Mansfield
Ollie Fearon (right)scored the winner for Mansfield after Jack Steers (left) had equalised for Hemsworth earlier
Former Penistone Church striker Ollie Fearon scrambled the winner home for AFC Mansfield in the dying minutes at the MDC Community Stadium.
Hemsworth were heading for a point after centre-back Jack Steers had cancelled Gavin Allott’s first half opener.
The clash between the two sides who were automatically promoted from Division One last season was a tight affair.
The Wells did the early running and Nick Guest was inches from scoring in the first few minutes.
The opener came towards half-time when the Wells failed to deal with the height of Allott from a free kick. The former Ossett Town defender was effectively unmarked which enabled him to head home from close range.
Hemsworth rode a bit of luck at the start of the second half as Fearon was one of a couple of Mansfield players guilty of failing to hit the target from a good position.
Rudy Funk’s men paid the price as Steers then turned Dom Blair’s corner in – with the help of the crossbar.
Chances were few and far between with the game fizzling out, but Mansfield their golden one in the last four minutes. Fearon the goal-scorer with a tap-in after Allott’s effort was saved by Wells goalkeeper Sam Leigh.
Nick Guest on the attack for Hemsworth
Mansfield goalkeeper Jason White clears his lines
Hemsworth winger Richard Collier on the attack
Hemsworth defender Harry Viggars in battle with Ollie Fearon
Action from Hemsworth 1-2 Mansfield
What They Said
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
The Teams
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Leigh, Wilson, Clark, Swift, Viggars, Steers, Blair (Wilkinson 82), Tiani, Law (captain), Guest, Collier (Jones 74). Subs unused: Tonks, Snaith, Atkinson.
AFC Mansfield: White, Plummer, Dudley, Allott, Austin, D’Laryea, Williams (Karkach 63), Patterson (captain), Fearon, Bradshaw (Timons 86), Paling. Sub unused: Madin, Wilson, Wright.
Who Was In Charge
Lee Freeman (7/10)
Referee Lee Freeman had a decent game
A better display from Mr Freeman, who recently drew criticism for spraying yellow cards around like confetti in the draw between Garforth and Harrogate Railway – a game which saw Railway’s Jordan Hendrie sent off in ludicrous circumstances. In his latest performance, Mr Freeman made a few mistakes, but won plaudits for letting the players play and for being largely anonymous.
How Many Were There
129