Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town 2-1 Nostell Miners Welfare
Nostell striker Jamie Miller battles with Gregg Anderson, whose own goal lifted the mist for the visitors after a year of real of toil
Knaresborough may have secured the three points, but for Nostell Miners Welfare it must have felt like a win as they showed to the league that they won’t be pushovers this season.
First half goals from Blaine Hobson and Brad Walker gave Knaresborough their victory.
However, it was not all plain sailing because Nostell were a team reborn after the interval and a Gregg Anderson own goal handed real hope – a moment that saw the mist from a year of real toil suddenly lifted for Nostell.
Although chances were at a premium for Nostell, who definitely rode a lot of luck, the door to the dramatic comeback remained opened right to the death as the man of the match display from Liam Scott-Bell prevented the home side from scoring again.
Many expected Nostell to get trounced at the home of one of the fancied teams in the Division. The late notice of the reprieve has meant Welfare have been playing catch-up in the race to build a new competitive team – a project still ongoing.
That probably showed in the first half, although the first ten minutes were positive for them as returning striker Jamie Miller went close with a rasping effort.
Poor defending was their undoing. Knaresborough were able to breach their back-line too many times and that’s how the opener unfolded as Hobson sprinted away and rounded Scott-Bell to score.
The second was a comedy of errors as Scott-Bell’s clearance hit his own defender Daniel Collins, leading to Walker going through and scoring.
Luck then began to change for the visitors as another one-on-one opportunity for Hobson saw the the striker hit the post. It could have very easily turned into a cricket score, but Nostell refused to fold.
The wind certainly played a part in Nostell’s spirited second half performance. Nathan Smith must have put some belief into his team-mates when his wind-assisted long range shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
Scott-Bell even nearly scored as his long punt downfield nearly caught the giant Jack Rushworth out. The Knaresborough goalkeeper had to race backwards and he was only able to palm it over the crossbar at the last minute.
The period of pressure concluded with the experienced Anderson heading past his own goalkeeper.
Unfortunately for Nostell, Knaresborough regrouped and prevented further problems for themselves.
The introduction of Freestone helped the home side get back in control. The chances flowed again for them.
Scott-Bell threw his body on the line on at least four occasions – most notably when somehow pushing the ball off-the-line after the post had been hit.
More of that desire, passion and commitment and Nostell won’t go too far wrong.
Action from Knaresborough Town 2-1 Nostell Miners Welfare
Blaine Hobson gave Knaresborough the lead
Brad Walker added the second goal
Knaresborough’s Greg Kidd battles with Edward Busfield
Harry Brown on the prowl for Knaresborough
Brad Walker bears down on goal
Wayne Ball was back where he belongs – in the heat of the battle for Nostell
Knaresborough captain Will Lenehan battles with Nostell’s Nathan Smith, who rattled the crossbar with a long range effort
What They Said
Knaresborough Town assistant manager Paul Clayton
Nostell Miners Welfare manager Des Hazel
The Teams
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Donoghue, Lenehan (captain), Hesketh, Anderson, Donnelly, Walker (Wilson 80), B Parkes, Hobson (Freestone 67), Brown, Kidd (Atkinson 74).
Nostell Miners Welfare: Scott-Bell, Booth, Ball (captain), Greenhough (Redford 86), Collins, Harding, Busfield (Mbire 80), Appleton (Sammon 74), Miller, Smith, Mole. Subs unused: Davies, Woodhall.
Who Was In Charge
Peter Creagh (8/10)
Referee Peter Creagh
Man of the Match
Liam Scott-Bell (Nostell Miners Welfare)
Heroic Nostell Miners Welfare goalkeeper Liam Scott-Bell