Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Hemsworth Miners Welfare 2-4 Maltby Main
Hemsworth Miners Welfare’s survival hopes hang in the balance after they wasted numerous first half chances to finish off Maltby Main who went home with three points after scoring two late goals.
All was rosier for Hemsworth after just three minutes.
The Wells had broken forward down the right in a swash-buckling manner and returning legend Nash Connolly had fired in from close range.
The chances kept coming for them.
Sion Ripley put one wide, a header narrowly flashed past the post and there was a goal-mouth scramble as well.
No wonder Shane Kelsey was kicking the spare match-balls in his dugout.
Inevitably their failure to increase their lead came back to haunt them as Rieves Boocock netted the rebound from Damian Reeves’ saved shot.
Despite a poor first half display, Maltby went into the interval ahead as Johnathan Williams’ free kick from out-wide on the left flew straight in.
Hemsworth began the second half strongly and deservedly levelled quite quickly.
Jay Davis’ free kick from the exact same position was finished off by a majestic header from Boocock who headed past his own goalkeeper Hugo Warhurst.
The entertainment tailed off a long period and a draw seemed likely until the final ten minutes.
Maltby forced their way into Hemsworth’s box and Boocock sent a low cross into the six-yard box.
The Wells were unable to clear and the ball bounced up kindly for former Farsley Celtic striker Reeves to head home.
Boocock then ‘completed his hat-trick’ by putting the game out of reach for the Wells with a tidy finish inside the penalty area.
What They Said
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Shane Kelsey
“We had enough chances there to win five games.
“You have to be clinical.
“For the first 40 minutes we were on the front-foot and we played some lovely stuff.
“The goal was excellent, one-touch football, simple stuff and we cut them to pieces.
“But with a couple of lapses in concentration and missed opportunities, you’re always going to get bitten in the bottom.
“That’s what has happened.
“Unless you take your chances and be ruthless, you leave yourself wide open and today is a prime example.
“Second half we didn’t turn up and we allowed Maltby to dictate the tempo.”
Maltby Main manager John Stancliffe
“I wouldn’t say it was smash and grab and I wouldn’t say it was a deserved win either.
“I think it is a lucky win.
“We have not played to our standards over the 90 minutes, we have played ten, 15 minute spells where we have been lucky enough to score.
“Especially in the first half, I turned around to the subs and said we would be lucky to go in at half-time at 1-0 down.
“The way the game went, we actually went in at 2-1 up.
“Second half, Hemsworth probably got the deserved equaliser.
“If anything, we were more ruthless in front of goal and took our chances.”
The Teams
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Davison-Hale, Dawson, Clark, Hogg, Barks, Higgins, Viggars, Davis (Jeff 66), Ripley (Haigh 78), Tingle (captain), Connolly. Subs unused: Wilson, Kilmartin, Shepherd.
Maltby Main: Warhurst, McGowan, Algar, James, Austin (captain), Hough, Boocock, Williams, Swaine (Jordan 73) (Whitfield 78), Reeves, Hardwick (Cutts 65). Subs unused: Hill, Thwaites.
Who Was In Charge
Thomas Day (8/10)
How Many Were There
155
Man of the Match
Jed McGowan (Maltby Main)
