Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town 2-1 Armthorpe Welfare
Selby celebrate Liam Neal’s late winner in the 2-1 victory over Armthorpe. Picture: Dave Haddock
Debutant Liam Neal leapt like a salmon to score the late winner for fortunate Selby Town, who ended their run of three straight defeats.
Neal’s header broke the stalemate that had been in place after Josh Buckham had cancelled out Carl Stewart’s early strike for Selby.
The win was certainly one of the most ugliest of Christian Fox’s swash-buckling reign. Armthorpe were extremely unlucky not to take a point having more than matched their hosts.
Former Tadcaster Albion talisman Stewart fired Selby into an early lead with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area from a corner.
Armthorpe responded well as home goalkeeper Peter Lawrie was kept on his toes. Lawrie also made the save of the day when tipping Darren Mansaram’s spectacular long range – which was destined for the top corner – over the crossbar.
As the second half progressed, an Armthorpe equaliser was inevitable. Lawrie had denied Luke Williams at point blank range prior to the leveller.
Ex-Pontefract favourite Liam Radford, who recently returned to Armthorpe from Nostell Miners Welfare, crossed from the right and Buckham applied the finishing touches from close range.
Armthorpe looked hungry for more and in turn Fox made two changes to freshen his side. New signing Gary Driscoll and their talisman Liam Flanagan came on and they did make a difference. Within a few minutes of arriving on the field, Flanagan sent a shot heading for the bottom corner until goalkeeper Adam Stevens produced an excellent save.
Selby continued to press Armthorpe high up the pitch and eventually the winner came, thanks to a free kick on the right-hand side. Left-back Zac Lawrence’s took it and the ball in was perfect and for Neal to rise and make himself the hero.