Nostell deservedly win at Worsbrough

Toolstation NCEL Division One 

Worsbrough Bridge 0-3 Nostell Miners Welfare

Two first half goals set second place Nostell Miners Welfare on their way to victory in the top of the table clash at local rivals Worsbrough Bridge.

Kai Hancock and Jack Owen scored in the more than deserved victory before superb debutant Joe Wood wrapped up the three points late on.

Wood, a midweek signing from West Yorkshire giants Beeston St Anthonys’, arrived at Park Road as a complete unknown quantity, but left as a superstar in the making.

It was a great spectacle for the NCEL and a fine marker for the progress both clubs have made in under 12 months. A year ago the same fixture was played out in front of just 32 people with Nostell and Worsbrough sitting in the bottom four.

Now with the respective managers leading their own revolutions, more than double that figure turned out for the battle between second and third.

Nostell were dominant and Worsbrough probably served up their poorest performance of a so far fantastic start to the campaign. Bridge’s persistence in playing out from the back only played into the visitors’ hands and caused their goalkeeper Chris Shaw, helping out because Aiden Tyas was unavailable, numerous problems in the first half. Nostell forced error after error on Worsbrough’s left-side, but failed to take advantage of their dominance until late in the first half. A lack of ruthlessness was the only criticism that could be levelled at Jason Dodsworth and Simon Houghton’s men.

Worsbrough did not really test new Nostell goalkeeper Jordan Greaves. Worsbrough’s main threat came from Scott Batty’s missile of a long throw, but Greaves dealt with all of them apart from one when Joe Thornton was needed to clear the ball off-the-line.

Eventually Nostell broke the deadlock. Class act Adam Hayton slipped in a fine through ball to Hancock, who fired a powerful low drive into the bottom corner from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

One soon became two. Aaron Parlett lost a battle with Owen, one half of Barnsley’s second best Non League footballing brothers, and the striker crossed. The ball was cleared, but it soon found its way back into the penalty area. Centre-back Jack Wilson missed it, clearing the way for Hancock to nip in. With Shaw and two defenders bearing down on him, Hancock squared the ball across goal for Owen to fire into the empty net.

Bridge had brief forays forward in the second half. Right-back Connor Rollinson did brilliantly to create lots of space for himself before crossing perfectly for Jack Mawson, who was unable to take advantage. 

Nostell managed the game well. One month ago, they found themselves in the same position against Worsbrough and ended up on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat. 

There was a little tension in the air and the previous meeting must have been on the minds of some. Crucially, their midfield three of Liam Owen, Hayton and Ben Teasdale were solid and effective, breaking up play and creating attacks.

The final word was left to Wood. The winger had caused the home side lots of problems throughout the afternoon and he deserved his goal after breaking clear.

The Teams 

Worsbrough Bridge: Shaw, Co Rollinson, Parlett (Vinten), Taylor, J Wilson, Waldron, Buffon (Ca Rollinson), Batty (captain), Hirst, Green (Mhlolo), Mawson. Subs unused: M Wilson, Rhodes.

Nostell Miners Welfare: Greaves, Akeister, Thornton, Kilburn, Meynell (captain), L Owen, Teasdale (Almond), Hayton (Welford), Hancock (Critchlow), J Owen, Wood. Subs unused: Ball, Ward.

Who Was In Charge 

Adam Warner (7/10)

How Many Were There

69

Man of the match

Adam Hayton (Nostell Miners Welfare)