Nash Connolly gave Hemsworth the lead in the 1-1 draw with Hull United
Hull United and Hemsworth Miners Welfare both maintained their unbeaten Toolstation NCEL Division One records in the 1-1 draw.
After Nash Connolly had given the hosts the lead midway through the first half the Citizens responded superbly when Jamie Richardson’s bullet header six minutes later capped off a Hull move.
It was a match which could of gone either way and in hindsight a point was a fair reflection in a United came out the blocks quicker as Louis Nagi flashed an effort wide, before debutant Atkinson had to make a clearing header to thwart a threatening attack.
With seven minutes played the first real chance was created by the visitors. A robust full bloodied challenge by Nagi deep into the Hemsworth half saw the ball land at the feet of Jamie Richardson on the left and after a nicely executed one-two with Nagi saw the former Hedon man’s low effort from close range saved by the left hand of Hemsworth keeper Chris Snaith.
On 18 minutes Hemsworth began to settle into the game as United had to defend a deadly looking ball by Connolly from the right. It was three minutes later that the hosts grabbed the lead.
A dangerous free-kick was whipped in again by Connolly towards Phil Dobson’s goal and as the commanding keeper punched clear his lines Connolly drove the ball back towards goal, beating Jamie Taylor on the line and rippling the net.
Unlike at Teversal two weeks ago, United showed real guts and character and after Nicky McNamara couldn’t convert Jack Walters corner, it was within six minutes they were level.
McNamara pulled the strings in the centre of the park and after knocking the ball to the right flank, Martin Foster’s pin-point precision cross was met at the back post by Jamie Richardson who’s bullet header from eight yards left Snaith with no chance to level matters.
The match then got a little scrappy with both sides not wanting to make an all important, potentially game-changing mistake.
Jack Walters blasted an effort over after a surging run down the left channel whilst host right back Adam Wilson struck straight at Dobson in similar circumstances from the right.
If Hull United edged the first half, bragging rights probably went to the hosts as they shaded the second period.
Dobson had to be alert two minutes after the restart to thwart Bill Law’s long range effort, as Dobson held the striker’s effort.
A minute past the hour mark, Hemsworth were unfortunate to not regain the lead. Another pin-point free kick by Connolly landed perfectly on the head of captain Jason Yates but his glancing header brushed the outside of the post
William Kemp later made his entrance as a substitute and immediately floated a cross-field pass from left to right and Connolly’s drilled effort hit the side netting via the finger-tips of Dobson.
Connolly again went close from a free kick with seven minutes remaining, curling just wide of the left hand post from a central position.
Hull did finish the last five minutes the stronger side.
A powerful effort by Nagi was spilled by Snaith before Nagi turned provider two minutes later for Tennant, however the former Weymouth striker’s effort rolled straight into the keeper.
In added time United had two further chances when a neat knock down by Tennant saw Richardson blast over.
And finally as Brett Agnew was body checked chasing a ball over the top Jack Walters had a great chance from a free kick however his effort although on target was weak in power and Snaith was able to easily gather.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson, Clark, Swift, Viggars, Steers, Connolly, Yates, Blair, Law, Dixon. Subs: Kemp, Pleasants, Hayward, Kelsey, Leese.
Hull United: Dobson, Taylor, Walters, McNamara, Atkinson, Henderson, Start, Foster, Agnew, Nagi, Richardson. Subs: Trammer, Harvey (GK), Hill, Harrison, Tennant.
Referee: Ashley Royston
Attendance: 107
Thanks to Neil Winsor from Hull United for this report.