Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 2-1 Retford United
Hero: Nostell Miners Welfare defender Dan Collins
In the beginning defender Dan Collins headed a late winner to give Nostell a priceless first home win of the season and hand their new joint managers a dream start.
If Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton get their way, that is how the first paragraph of the opening chapter of a long and magical story will read.
The pair have lifted the dark clouds and rejuvenated a club inside two weeks, and that’s without taking charge of a game until ten man and ill-disciplined Retford United visited.
There was an air of excitement at the magnificent Crofton Community Centre. One reason might have been because the main pitch somehow escaped the sharp frost which claimed every Non League match elsewhere in West Yorkshire – a stroke of luck on Nostell’s part because a bumper crowd ensued.
The other reason is because of the array of stellar signings brought to the club by Dodsworth and Houghton – notably Armthorpe Welfare striker Liam Radford, who was to play a starring role in the opening act of the Dodsworth-Houghton era.
A year ago, Nostell were the whipping boys. Now because of a new heavy-duty management team and star players, they went into six-pointer with fellow strugglers Retford as favourites and under pressure to succeed from an expectant crowd.
Nostell flew out of the blocks, putting Retford under the cosh from the off. New signing Jack Owen, the former Athersley and Glasshoughton striker and Billy Mole were the danger men early on. Both wasted great chances.
Predictably, Nostell did not have it their own way – they did it the hard way. As half-time approached, poor play from Dec Welford led to a corner and from that Reece Treasure headed home for Retford. It was far from deserved.
Nostell of old may have thrown the towel. But as ex-Pontefract Collieries boss Houghton said in his call to arms two weeks ago, his and Dodsworth’s Nostell never will. Their half-time talk could prove to be one of their most important.
Nostell’s response was excellent. One of the turning points was the dismissal of Retford goalkeeper James Gamble close to the hour mark. Gamble had to go as he had handled Radford’s goal-bound shot outside of his area – ironically he should have been sent off for the same reason at Glasshoughton three weeks ago – only poor refereeing spared him on that occasion.
Right-back Leon Larcombe-Loftus took Gamble’s place and it felt inevitable that Nostell would score against a Retford side who were poor even before the red card. The equaliser soon came – Radford’s fine delivery from corner was met by an unmarked Owen.
Retford looked devoid of ideas at this point. Only Treasure and Callum Littlejohn, with their pace, were capable of causing Nostell problems. Most of the action in the last 20 minutes was at the far end where Nostell were attacking.
Time was running out when the moment of glory finally arrived, but it was better late than never. Radford was involved again as he encouraged substitute Matty Thompson to take a short corner. Radford then whipped in a lovely cross and Collins rose like a salmon to become the hero.
Retford, whose discipline on-and-off-the-pitch at Glasshoughton should have earned them a couple of club charges, then lost the plot. Two players were booked for dissent over a row over whether the corner should have been given. Their manager Jordan Hall was then sent off and removed to the changing rooms (as per league rules regarding technical area dismissals). He could face an extra charge as at the final whistle, he walked out of the tunnel and back onto the pitch before walking 50 yards to confront referee Robert Woodburn again.
All the commotion played into Nostell’s hands and they were able to play out the final few minutes with relative ease.
The season and future starts now for Nostell. With a top management team in place in Dodsworth and Houghton, stay tuned because it could be an exciting tale. After several false dawns, surely Nostell are going to get it right this time? With the team now in place, with further exciting signings possibly arriving, Nostell are only going to get stronger.
What They Said
Nostell Miners Welfare joint manager Jason Dodsworth
The Teams
Nostell Miners Welfare: May, Heard, Pearson, Welford, Collins, Almond, Mole, Greenhough, Miller, Radford, Owen. Subs: Kelly, Towler, Fry, Marsh, Thompson.
Retford United: Gamble, Larcombe-Loftus, Betts, Atkin, Smith, Bennett, Hall, Parkin, Littlejohn, Scully, Treasure. Subs: Bartram, Birchill, Walters, Eagle.
Who Was In Charge
Robert Woodburn (10/10)
Mr Woodburn got the big decision – Gamble’s red card – completely right. The only negative from an assured display is that he could have sent off a couple of Retford players for dissent after Nostell’s winner.
How Many Were There
152
Man of the Match
Liam Radford (Nostell Miners Welfare)
Jack Owen was close, but Radford wins it because he had a key role in all three crucial moments. His valuable contribution was also summed towards the end when he ran back 30 yards to retrieve possession for his side.