Eccleshill United captain Andy Cooper scored a late consolation for his side
Quality finishing was the difference as Bottesford Town eased to a 3-1 victory at Eccleshill United.
A goal before half-time gave Bottesford a foothold and two wonder strikes wrapped the points up in the Toolstation NCEL Division One encounter.
Eccleshill were hoping to record a third consecutive league victory after resounding wins over Dronfield and Grimsby Borough.
It was a cagey affair that had few chances. Poor defending from the home side was a contributory to Bottesford’s opener as Martin Pembleton had loads of room to volley home a corner from close range.
Bottesford, one of the favourites to win promotion, were hoping to add a seventh straight league win to their record. That was looking more likely when the goal of the game was scored six minutes into the second half.
The ball dropped sweetly for former Scarborough defender Steve Ridley and he watched as his thunderous strike flew into the top corner from 25 yards.
Jermaine Springer did nearly give Eccleshill a brief glimmer of hope as he missed a sitter at the back-post.
Bottesford heeded the warning and the vastly-experienced Terry Barwick added his goal of the season contender to the list with another long range strike to kill the home side off.
Eccleshill’s captain Andy Cooper, the ex Farsley midfielder, scored a late consolation with a brave header.
Eccleshill United: Stead, Catley, Bartle, Cooper (captain), Springer, Kitson (Slater 84), Hardy, Trueman (Peltier 62), Turner, Harrop, Firth (Charles 62). Subs unused: Beck, Rothera.
Bottesford Town: Herrick, Gibbons, Martin, L Ridley (captain), Hellewell (Johnson 78), Barwick, Wilby (Short 78), S Ridley, Pembleton (Wilson 71), Nichol, Graves. Sub unused: Beedle.
Referee: Lee Hible
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Steve Ridley (Bottesford Town)
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