Miners through to the last 64 of the Vase

Christmas came early for Nostell when they overturned Ryton in the FA Vase replay at the Welfare Ground on Tuesday night.

Goals from Graham Marchant, Darren Rushton, Craig Stephens and Paul Bedford saw off the visitors who replied just once through Mark Walton.

But while the 4-1 scoreline may have flattered the hosts, there was no doubting that they deserved the victory.

And they now face the prospect of a third round tie with Stone Dominoes at the Springbank Stadium on 6th December.

Miners should have secured their passage through to the next round on Saturday after twice being in front.

But they let slip on both occasions.

This time around however, it was a different story.

They quickly came out of the blocks and imposed themselves on the game early on.

Skipper Dave Watts could quite easily have put the home side in front when he met Scott Hartley’s deep cross.

But strangely, Stephens, who had hoped to help the ball home, volley it off the line.

It wasn’t long though before the first goal eventually came.

Stephens was involved again, when he crossed for loanee Marchant to stab home from close-range.

Rushton then grabbed a second to put Nostell two up at the break.

But then someone must have served up a less than favourable brew during the interval because Nostell started the second half in disarray.

They were at sixes and sevens as Ryton pressed forward, building from the back and moving the ball through midfield.

And it wasn’t long before they pulled a goal back through Walton.

The visitors also struck the bar, much to the frustration of the home fans, who made up the majority of the 106 supporters.

But Miners eventually settled and showed glimpses of cultured football as they played Ryton at their own game and began to pass the ball along the turf.

And once they found their feet, the pressure began to tell.

Stephens struck the bar minutes before combining with Marchant to slot the ball past keeper Ben Starford for number three.

And Paul Bedford wrapped up proceedings when he latched on to substitute Fran Johnson’s shot which had ricocheted off the bar to head home his 6th of the season.