Nostell Miners Welfare 1-2 Winterton Rangers
Nostell Miners Welfare were victims of daylight robbery for the second week running as Winterton Rangers went top of the Toolstation NCEL Division One table after Callum Foster’s 88th minute winner.
Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton were full value for their point, maybe all three, but having fought back from Luke Anderson’s fourth minute opener through Calum Ward’s early second half goal, Winterton won it in a smash and grab raid.
With title-favourites Skegness Town not playing, Winterton had the chance to shoot for the moon and they reached their destination.
Just like seven days earlier at Campion, Nostell were hit by a sucker-punch in the few remaining minutes. Both Winterton’s goals were avoidable and the home side were left to rue the defensive mistakes in the build-ups.
Welfare are now ninth, seven points behind fourth-placed Selby Town, their opponents next week.
The new league leaders conjured up the deadlock breaker out of nothing. Anderson got the better of captain Rhys Meynell in a seemingly safe left-wining position. But with goalkeeper Danny Rusling off-the-line, the chance opened up for the striker and he lobbed the Nostell stopper from distance.
Nostell enjoyed the majority of the ball throughout the first half. There were flurries of danger from corners, free kicks, plus a penalty shout after Jack Waldron appeared to be clattered. Winterton’s goalkeeper Nathan Popple was never really tested though, but neither was Rusling after the goal. Rangers seemed content to sit back with their lead and soak up the pressure – with only the odd long ball causing problems for Nostell’s defence.
Crucially, despite going a goal behind, it was still a positive first half from Nostell and they flew out of the blocks in the second stanza. An in-swinging corner from the left was met by Meynell and helped home by Ward.
Nostell were level and pushing for more glory. Kane Reece was a threat, as was under 21s starlet Amir Berchil. As in the first half, the intent was there, but no end product was on show.
Winterton had the rare break forward, and Scott Matthews’ counter down the left almost produced a quality goal until Rusling made a save to match the effort.
Nostell threw on Jack Owen and he opened up the visiting defence and as the home crowd prepared to celebrate, he shot straight at Popple.
Within the next 60 seconds, Rangers had won it. North Ferriby legend Peat launched a free kick into a fairly nondescript area inside the 18-yard-box, but because Rusling rushed out, Foster leapt and hit the jackpot. His celebrations told everything you needed to know as to how important it was to Winterton.
What They Said
Nostell Miners Welfare joint manager Jason Dodsworth
“It was gut-wrenching and a bit of deja-vu because it was the same as last week.
“I thought we were good again today, but being good and dominating the game doesn’t get you points. I can’t be too harsh on the lads.
“We have given Winterton the goals. We gave them the first one after five minutes from a simple long ball. Rhys has got out-muscled and the kid has lobbed it over the goalkeeper.
“We should be dealing with it. The free kick goal was out of nowhere. Dan has had a rush of blood and come for something he was never going to get. It wasn’t even dangerous. He’s a great lad and we need to pick him up from this.
“I thought we controlled large periods of the game. Winterton are a big strong side and they have some really good players and yeah today they were probably second best, but they have won the game.”
The Teams
Nostell Miners Welfare: Rusling, Cowgill, Mole, Waldron, Meynell (captain), Wilson, Owen, Reece (Almond), Ward (Owen), Mundy, Berchil. Subs unused: Penny Larter, McCrum, Hughes Miller.
Winterton Rangers: Popple, Nelthorpe, Matthews, Peat, Foster, Fisher, Ture, Varley, Anderson, Chapman, Buttle. Subs: Allison, Grimes, Barlow, Wright, Ainsley.
Who Was In Charge
Daniel Tracey (7/10)
How Many Were There
97
Man of the Match
Jack Wilson (Nostell Miners Welfare)
A high octane performance from the versatile key man.