Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 0-5 Hall Road Rangers
Josh Batty scored twice for Hall Road. Picture: Lee Myers
Two goals apiece from the impressive and lively pair of Josh Batty and Chris Spinks, were followed by an added time goal by substitute Jamie Reeson who made the ideal impact following his late introduction.
The result was never in doubt for Hall Road who looked comfortable all afternoon, but after creating a glut of chances early on in the game, it looked as though their profligacy in front of goal may return to haunt them.
Chris Spinks twice, as well as Tom Bennett and Josh Batty were all denied early on, whilst Danny Norton’s mazy run on the half hour mark ended in the full back testing Welfare keeper Harry Stead.
Rangers did take the lead though nine minutes before the interval when Spinks sublime finish off the inside of the post capped a fine team move.
Hall Road doubled their lead on the brink of half time as Chris Spinks pin-point angled free kick from the right saw Batty nip ahead of his marker and glance the ball into the bottom left corner after a darting diagonal run.
The second period followed the same pattern as most of the first as Rangers switched through the gears to finish off their opponents.
A further save by Stead, denied Spinks whilst Scott Phillips missed a glorious chance after excellent link up play between Joe Cooper and Norton on the right.
Any doubt as to the destination of the three points was vanquished on 65 minutes, when Batty scored his second and Rangers third, a neat back-heel by Spinks completed the perfect one-two on the edge of the penalty area as Batty latched onto Spinks excellent improvisation to cooly slide home past Stead when through on goal.
Hall Road were flying and Nostell continued to wilt in the final quarter, as Spinks latched onto Tom Bennett’s slide rule pass to expertly round the keeper and tap into the empty net with 23 minutes still remaining.
Rangers keeper Phil Dobson was largely a spectator throughout but showed great concentration to tip round the post and keep hopes alive of just a third clean sheet for Hall Road this season.
The stellar performance was given the perfect finish when Cooper’s free kick was only palmed into the path of Jamie Reeson who made no mistake in clipping the ball over Stead and into the net for Rangers fifth.
What They Said
Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo
“It’s been coming, and in terms of results we’ve played about 20 games and only lost four.
“If we can go on a run like that, as we are doing better at this stage of the season then we have done in recent years it is pleasing to be winning the vast majority.
“Its important we just keep it going and if we do the club will be buzzing.
“Its such high standards we all set at the club, from us as a management team, through to each of the players.
“It’s about keeping them levels and hitting them consistently.”