Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 2-1 East Yorkshire Carnegie
Jack Owen sparked scenes of sheer jubilation after scoring the late winner for leaders Nostell Miners Welfare
Jack Owen scored the late winner as leaders Nostell Miners Welfare maintained their best ever start to an NCEL campaign.
Nostell, who beat Carnegie 5-0 on Saturday, were given a major fright as the visitors were head for 50 minutes until Danny Critchlow equalised close to the half-hour mark.
Owen, one half of Barnsley’s second best Non League footballing brothers, struck with a spectacular long range screamer with five minutes left on the clock.
It cued scenes of pandemonium. Simon Houghton, uncharacteristically, sprinted 20 yards onto the pitch in his new trainers to hug Owen. Jason Dodsworth ran the same distance and leaped to his knees in a similar manner to how his hero Jose Mourhino, the manager of his favourite team Manchester United, used to do during his trophy-winning days at Chelsea. Their assistant, the Showman Ryan Poskitt, remained as cool as a cucumber in the technical area, with a finger to his head urging his troops ‘to think’ and concentrate on seeing the final few minutes.
The referee, Chris Rose, did have a lot to answer for when it came to Nostell’s plight.
Ambitious Nostell had started where they left off on Saturday by beginning with an all-conquering attacking display. Billy Mole’s superb cavalier run down the left in the first 30 seconds almost opened the door for the opener. His pinpoint cross was met perfectly by one of their main men and star players Joe Thornton. However, goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes flung himself at it and saved the goal-bound effort.
The referee then ridiculously disallowed Brad Kilburn’s perfectly legitimate goal. Kilburn leapt like a salmon to head home a corner. He celebrated before seeing the referee signalling for a non-existence push.
The knives were certainly out for the referee a few minutes later when he awarded the visitors a penalty after an alleged foul by Billy Mole. Ryan Williams inevitably slotted it home with ease.
Nostell failed to test Carnegie’s brilliant young goalkeeper for the rest of the half and they could have easily been out of the game after starting the second half poorly. Carnegie twice hit the crossbar with spectacular long range efforts.
Out of nothing, Nostell equalised. The prodigal son, Critchlow – a relic from the Alan Colquhoun who has come back to help Nostell return to the Premier Division – superbly curled a free kick home from 35 yards.
Nostell were then forced to change goalkeepers as Gary Stevens went off injured after a lengthy delay. Matt Brooke came on in his place.
He did a fine job, but at the most important end, Nostell threatened without an real penetration. Owen ripped Carnegie’s right back to shreds, but he had no end product with the final throes when he made himself the hero. In some respects, it was fortunate for Nostell and desperately unlucky for Carnegie who arguably deserved a point.
Man of the Match
Joe Thornton (Nostell Miners Welfare)
Inspirational utility man Joe Thornton was a key man for Nostell