Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Armthorpe Welfare 1-1 Staveley Miners Welfare
Adam Stevens saved a penalty for Armthorpe
Brad Johnston’s equaliser mid-way through the second half earned Welfare a vital point as they came from behind to draw with Staveley Miners Welfare and end a run of four successive defeats.
Welfare were also indebted to goalkeeper Adam Stevens who saved a penalty with 15 minutes to play.
After a fairly even first 20 minutes of the game Staveley started to take control and former Welfare striker Adam Lee put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes, finding the back of the net after a long throw had been flicked on to him.
Although Staveley enjoyed the majority of the rest of the half the Welfare defence restricted them to half chances which failed to trouble Stevens.
Welfare manager Mike Carmody introduced substitute Johnston after 57 minutes and within nine minutes Johnston had brought the Welfare level. A long clearance from Stevens found the returning Craig Aspinall and he in turn picked out Johnston to fire into the far corner.
Staveley were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes which saw Stevens superbly deny Lee whilst on 83 minutes Stevens again thwarted Lee when the striker was through on goal.
A hard earned point in the end for Welfare which was important given wins elsewhere for Barton Town Old Boys and Parkgate.
Thanks to Steve Pennock for this report.