Joe Walton was outstanding for Nostell and scored the decisive second goal in the 2-0 win at Albion Sports
What a difference a week makes.
Nostell Miners Welfare climbed off the bottom of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division table for the first time since mid-September with a sensational 2-0 win at ninth-placed Albion Sports.
The win capped a remarkable week which has seen Nostell collect seven points out of a possible nine and be propelled to unfamiliar heights of fourth-bottom.
Two first half goals from Jermaine Moyce and Joe Walton laid the platform for the victory at Throstle Nest.
But the real story was Nostell’s heroic display. The second half was like the Defence of the Alamo from Nostell’s perspective, but legs, chests, were thrown in Albion’s way to ensure the points headed back to Crofton.
Nostell manager Darren Holmes said that his men were capable of continuing their good form and building on the win over Glasshoughton and the draw with Parkgate.
The game couldn’t have started any better for the visitors. Experienced striker Dale Kelly created space and laid a pass onto Moyce, just inside the penalty box on the right-hand-side.
Moyce chose to go with an ambitious powerful strike and superbly sent the ball into the top corner after just four minutes.
The dream start was almost made even better when Kelly’s smart pass put Mark Simpson through. Only a last ditch save from the on-rushing Albion goalkeeper Aaron Brain denied the young striker.
Nostell continued to produce sustained attacked on Albion’s goal. Matt Semley went close before the crucial second goal.
A headed flick-on by Moyce opened the door for Walton, who couldn’t miss with his volley from six-yards-out.
Nostell were too good for Albion in the first half. Missing injured key striker Danny Facey was a huge loss.
Experienced former Farsley AFC playmaker Matty James cut a frustrated figure – especially after his farcical yellow card on the half-hour after an argument with referee Michael Brownsett.
Brownsett, who never asked for a player’s number during a caution, also insisted after the game he had yellow carded Nostell’s Jamie Moxon in the 77th minute, despite the midfielder going off in the first half injured.
Albion came strong in the second half and Nostell really had to hold their nerve.
The siege began straightaway. Brice Tiani, Karl Hall and Aron Basi all had chances as the intense pressure mounted.
Centre-half Joe Walton, who has been instrumental in Nostell’s turnaround in form since making his debut at St Helens, helped build a brick wall for Nostell to keep Albion out.
Even when danger man Lee Elam went off, Albion were able to throw on the equally dangerous Alex Cusack.
James, Cusack and Tiani were the main cogs as Albion turned the screw. Nostell did ride their luck on a couple of occasions.
Cusack had their best chance when goalkeeper Ben Saynor was committed on the penalty spot and the winger seemingly goal-bound attempt was belted off-the-line by the two covering Nostell defenders.
The travelling Nostell supporters were biting their fingernails as the end approached. Ultimately Albion did not do enough and Nostell were able to celebrate a deserved victory.
Albion Sports: Brain, Bradley, Morgan, Elam (Cusack 63), Hussain (captain), Firth, Annor, Tiani, Hall, Basi (Maturine 80), James. Sub unused: Facey.
Nostell Miners Welfare: Saynor, Varley, Allsop, Moxon Wimslow 37), Brook, Walton, Moyce, Kane, Kelly, Simpson (T Semley 87), M Semley (Slater 87).
Referee: Michael Brownsett (Bradford)
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 64
Man of the match: Joe Walton (Nostell Miners Welfare)
Read Nostell manager Darren Holmes’ thoughts tomorrow.