EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Dodworth Miners Welfare 0-1 Wombwell Town
Jordan Cooper’s first half goal earned newly-promoted Wombwell Town a fantastic opening day victory at lacklustre Dodworth Miners Welfare.
Cooper, whose last visit to Dodworth ended with a red card, pounced on the half-hour mark to hand oncoming storm Wombwell a marquee result against the perennial title challengers who failed to take advantage of their second half domination.
Wombwell caused the hosts a heap of problems in the first half.
Cooper and captain Eddie Agnew were a nuisance for Dodworth who struggled to contain them.
Cooper wasted a one-on-one opportunity early on, a major let-off for Dodworth.
The winning goal was fairly fortunate as home goalkeeper George Bason tried to take on Cooper after receiving a back-pass.
The forward won the ball in the tackle and then placed it into the open goal.
Cooper was a contender for man of the match along goalkeeper Jono Davis.
Davis only had a few shots to save but his presence, handling and command of his box was outstanding.
He denied Jack Owen twice as the game headed to half-time.
Defensively Wombwell were superb in the second half.
Dodworth dominated the ball but could not break through the organised lines and turn all their possession into a stream of chances.
The last ten minutes were certainly dramatic.
Dodworth were awarded a free kick inside the penalty area after a back-pass.
This was their best chance of the game and Davis stood up to the test magnificently by throwing himself at Owen’s effort.
Wombwell then wasted the chance to seal the win as Cooper fired wide after Dodworth had been caught out by the counter attack.
As the curtain began to come down, Davis saved unmarked Simon Rogers’ diving header.
What They Said
Dodworth Miners Welfare manager Darren Young
“It was a fair result, we didn’t deserve it.
“We got out-battled, we were a yard off and it was a reality check to see teams come here and out-work us.
“That’s not what we’re about.
“If we had played until next week we wouldn’t have scored.
“We weren’t good enough upfront, not enough in midfield and not good enough at the back.”
Wombwell Town manager Karl Rose
“I think we created the best chances on the day and created three very good chances.
“I’m disappointed we haven’t scored more goals.
“I think we played very well in the first half.
“They are a very good side and they came into it in the second half. They went more direct and chucked everything at us.
“Credit to the boys they absolutely dug in and defended for their lives and put their bodies on-the-line.
“I think we faced a lot of pressure territory-wise and they had a lot of possession.
“We were then hitting them on the break so we were camped in a little bit and Jono (Davis) had one-or-two saves you’d expect him to make.”
The Teams
Dodworth Miners Welfare: Bason, Connor Rollinson (Allen), Parlett (Horbury), Byford, Rogers, Batty, Calan Rollinson (Cowsell), S Severn, Brotherton (captain), Barlow (Jacobs), Owen. Sub unused: Weatherall.
Wombwell Town: Davis, Cockling, McDermott, Harling, Copley, Thompson, Micklethwaite (Cresswell), B Cooper, Agnew (captain) (Griggs), J Cooper, Haslam. Subs unused: Everard, Fisher, Galloway.
Who Was In Charge
Duncan Ward (6/10)
How Many Were There
Man of the Match
Jono Davis (Wombwell Town)
