Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Parkgate 1-0 Rainworth Miners Welfare
The win was a personal highpoint for Graham Nicholas who has endured torrid spells in charge of Ossett Town and Nostell Miners Welfare during 2016
Ben Thornton was the hero as basement side Parkgate finally ended their long wait for their first league win of the campaign.
The victory brings Parkgate back to civilisation and gives Graham Nicholas’ new look side a good chance of getting out of trouble.
It was a personal high point for Nicholas who has endured a torrid five months worth of management during 2016, having only won one league game out of disappointing spells at Ossett Town and Nostell Miners Welfare – prior to yesterday’s victory.
Parkgate deserved to be in front after playing some excellent football. Thornton’s strike came on the half-hour mark and the home side deservedly held on.
Thornton also nearly added a second goal after the interval.
Parkgate now have a great chance of overhauling Armthorpe Welfare, Retford United and Barton Town Old Boys and pulling out of trouble, especially when Nicholas has recruited a band of proven Premier Division players – Danny Harris, Josh Dacre, Tawanda Rupere and Jassim Alali to name four.
The Team
Parkgate: Lill, McGowan (Hall 87), Harris, Dacre, Beever, Alali (captain), Rupere, Emmett, Moore (Johnson 61), Thornton, Hirst (Cuckson 58). Subs unused: Lannaman and Thornton.