Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Nicky McNamara scored the last minute equaliser for Bridlington Town
Nicky McNamara scrambled home an injury-time equaliser for Bridlington Town in the 1-1 draw with local rivals Pickering Town.
Just like the Boxing Day clash, Bridlington were reduced to ten man. Tim Taylor saw red after showing dissent to the referee, a minute before Robert Chipps put Pickering ahead.
Pickering would have a player sent off towards the end, before McNamara’s timely intervention for Brid.
Goals from Darren Mansaram and Mick Jones gave Armthorpe Welfare a crucial 2-0 victory over Retford United which moves them three points clear of the relegation zone.
The Welfare started the game positively and had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Kieron Salmons in the 6th minute when Mansaram won possession just outside the box and appeared to be pulled back as he burst into the box.
A minute later Stuart Preston seized on a cross from the right but his shot flew inches wide of the far post from 12 yards but the Welfare’s pressure paid off on 15 minutes. Liam Radford ran at the Retford defence before playing in Mansaram who slotted the ball pas the advancing Adam Valente from 15 yards to give Welfare the lead.
Two minutes later, Radford again ran at the Retford defence but this time fired in a low shot which Valente smothered.
Mansaram then saw his speculative 30 yard shot pushed around the post by Valente whilst Valente had to do likewise to keep out a header from Jack Waldron from the resulting corner.
Just two minutes after half time the Welfare doubled their lead. Chris Gowen’s free-kick from the right was knocked down to Mick Jones who lashed a strong shot into the top right hand corner from 12 yards.
The visitors forced Adam Stevens into his first real save of the game on 52 minutes when he pulled off a great one-handed save to push away a close range angled shot from Cameron Wear following a quick break.
Retford had another chance on 68 minutes but Oliver Perry fired wide of the near post and Stevens was then called on to push over a back post header from Wear.
Referee Salmons waved away another shout for a Welfare penalty on 79 minutes when Radford appeared to be pushed over on the right of the box but Retford threatened again minutes later, Wear again forcing Stevens into a smart save from 18 yards.
Retford were reduced to ten men when defender Craig Laight was sent off on 85 minutes following a tussle with Mansaram who received a caution for his trouble.
Welfare did have a late chance to increase their winning margin when substitute Jason Kearsley sent over a 90th minute free-kick from the left that Mansaram just failed to connect with in front of goal.