Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Hemsworth Miners Welfare continue to grow and grow. Supporter numbers are constantly rising, sponsorship figures are increasing and the team gets better and better each season. So there’s plenty of reasons for optimism in Fitzwilliam.
Who’s the Boss
Wayne Benn
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
Long-serving Benn continues to raise the bar at Hemsworth. The former Bradford (Park Avenue) captain has overseen an improvement year-on-year since returning to the club in 2013. He is assisted by Andy Hayward and Andy Hart.
Opening Five Fixtures
Runcorn Linnets (A) – Emirates FA Cup, Clipstone (A), Barton Town (H), Pontefract Collieries (A), Garforth Town (A).
Player Movement
New Hemsworth attacker Chris Ovington had the last word for Harrogate Railway against Campion in pre-season last year. Picture: Caught Light Photography
In: Liam Schofield (AFC Emley), Adam Hayton (Glasshoughton Welfare), Nathan Perks (Hall Road Rangers), Lloyd Henderson, Danny Rusling (Frickley Athletic, dual-registration), Chris Ovington (Harrogate Railway), Tafadzwa Mumbanya (Ossett Albion, dual-registration).
Out: Brice Tiani (Yorkshire Amateur), Nick Guest (AFC Mansfield), Sam Leigh (Goole AFC).
One to Watch
Richard Collier
Hemsworth wing wizard Richard Collier burst on the NCEL scene from nowhere last season
Wing wizard Collier is the showman of the Hemsworth team. It is hardly surprising that Hemsworth put him on contract after his performances for them last season.
Interview
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
Wayne Benn expects his Hemsworth Miners Welfare side to be very competitive this season.
Benn admits the league will be as tough as it always is, but he is confident his side will be fighting at the right end.
“We want to improve as always and we want to improve on last season’s finish of ninth,” Benn told Non League Yorkshire.
“Our other aim is to try keep the young lads we have improving their own games individually and collectively.
“The league does not get any easier. There seems to be a lot of money flying around. You lose one team, but you hear stories of clubs chucking x, y and z around.
“I don’t see any team running away with it like Cleethorpes did this season. I think it will be quite tight and compact. There’ll be a lot of teams who have thought in pre-season that we have a chance.
“That’s great for the Division. I expect us to in-and-around it and in the thick of it.”
Before the league campaign begins, Hemsworth have a navigate their way past Runcorn Linnets – the team they beat in the Extra Preliminary Round last year.
“It is uncanny how we have drawn for the third time in only a few years,” Benn added.
“We beat them on penalties a last few years ago and then we beat them at home last year when there were a couple of incidents.
“It will make for an interesting tie. It is one of the tougher games we could have got. They finished third last year in their league and they have a great fanbase.
“We’ll be ready and we’ll give a good account of ourselves. While it will be difficult, we think it is a winnable.”
Prediction
Top Ten