Nostell Miners Welfare 4-1 Campion
Two goals from rising star Danny Edwards set Nostell Miners Welfare on their way to a relatively easy victory over injury-ravaged Campion at Crofton Community Centre.
The youngster hit two in the first half – one early on and another on the half-hour mark to put Nostell back in front after Omar Habeeb had equalised for Campion.
Brad Kilburn placed the match out of Campion’s reach on the hour with his fortuitous 42-yard strike which definitely looked more like a cross.
Campion became sitting ducks when talismanic captain Graham Hall – their main centre-half – was carried off and Jack Owen took advantage by adding the fourth.
The victory against last season’s runners-up continues Nostell’s positive start to the new Toolstation NCEL Division One season.
Consecutive league victories have opened the campaign, but it is the form of Edwards that is grabbing attention.
Edwards has now scored five goals in four games and it is fantastic for the club as it shows that Ian Walker’s hard work with the under 21s and 19s is paying off.
Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton said in pre-season that they wanted a ruthless striker and it looks like one has been found from within.
The forward’s composure for the opener – a strike from the edge of the penalty area – made him appear to be a player with years of NCEL experience rather just weeks.
The goal took advantage of their hosts’ fast start.
Campion forced a way back towards the half-hour mark. Former Albion Sports star Alex Cusack’s long range effort was spectacularly saved by Danny Rusling. From the corner Nostell defended poorly and Habeeb, the hero in the midweek draw with Brigg Town, nodded home from inches out.
The Bradford-based side then threw away their hard work in getting back into it by gifting Nostell their second goal literally a minute later. Campion goalkeeper Declan Lambton spilled Richard Collier’s tame cross and Edwards pounced to score.
The game was ultimately decided during eight second half minutes around the hour mark. Out of absolutely nothing, right-back Kilburn’s ‘effort’ flew into the right-hand top corner after he had made a foray forward. Lambton reacted late, which suggested he had either been unsighted or Kilburn’s strike had indeed been a cross.
The contest was well and truly over when Hall departed and as joint manager Lee Ashforth said in his post-match interview, it was “damage-limitation” for Campion.
To the visitors’ credit, they kept battling and created the odd chance. But they were always susceptible to conceding again and duly they did when Owen spotted Lambton off-his-line and planted the ball over him from 30-yards.
The Teams
Nostell Miners Welfare: Rusling, Kilburn, Mole, Cowgill, Meynell (captain) (Akeister 57), Hayton (Jones 73), Teasdale, Reece, Edwards (Ward 76), Owen, Collier. Subs unused: Almond, Scargill.
Campion: Lambton, Carney, Riley, Fitzpatrick, Hall (captain) (Baldwin 64), Graham, Cusack, Habeeb (Hamilton 73), Shaw, McCreadie (Quasim 55), Hurles-Brook. Subs unused: Ponter, Day.
Who Is In Charge
Duncan Carratt (8/10)
Although an easy game to officiate on, Mr Carratt still did a decent job.
How Many Were There
62
Man of the Match
Kane Reece (Nostell Miners Welfare)
