Athersley Rec match report

Athersley Recreation 2 Nostell Miners Welfare 0
Saturday 26th December 2015
After last week’s victory Nostell missed the opportunity to give themselves a little breathing space in the relegation battle. Losing a six pointer to local rivals and fellow strugglers Athersley Recreation put the Welfare right back in the scrap for survival.
On a soft and muddy pitch seriously affected by the recent weather, Nostell made a bright start and were almost camped in their hosts’ half for the first ten minutes however, nothing came of this possession and Athersley took the lead against the run of play with their first venture into the Welfare half.
Athersley forced a corner which Welfare keeper Scott Bennett pushed away but only to Jack Briscoe who’s shot was blocked by the Nostell defence. The ball wasn’t cleared away safely and the visitors conceded an unnecessary free-kick. Slow to react to the set-piece Nostell allowed Danny Cawley to shoot from the right, the rebound falling to Macauley Shillito who converted to open the scoring.
Welfare responded and a good run down the right by James Douglas found Simon Poole, he crossed and Andrew Davis forced “Rec” keeper Neal May into making a save. May then denied Poole after good work by James Kitson.
The muddy conditions limited the ability to play nice football but it was exciting for the large Boxing Day crowd and although Nostell had more of the possession Athersley looked more dangerous when going forward. Scott Bennett got a hand to an effort from Cawley down the right which went across the face of goal and Briscoe fired over the bar. Bennett then made two excellent seats first denying Cawley and then Briscoe, both within a couple of minutes of each other.
Nostell’s Fidel Mhlolo ran at the heart of the home side’s defence going past three players in the penalty area but he failed to shoot when ideally placed and his continued run was eventually cleared.
Just before the break Nostell were awarded a free-kick just inside the Athersley half, but the kick was a poor effort allowing “Rec” to break quickly through Adam Podmore, who found Joe Thornton. Thornton completely miss-hit his shot but Bennett was committed and the ball bobbled farcically into the goal.
Half-time 2 : 0
Nostell introduced their three substitutes in an attempt to get back into the game and they all made a positive contribution. However, Athersley still looked the more dangerous and a long ball down field allowed Podmore to run clear of the Welfare defence and he lifted the ball over the advancing Bennett but his effort hit the post and was cleared to safety.
The Welfare continued to try and get back into the game but lacked the ability to score goals. James Kitson shot wide after good work by substitutes Steve Smith and Devonte Morton. Then a Douglas free-kick found Ryan Donoghue in the box but his shot on the turn was wide. Mhlolo had an effort from outside the penalty area saved by keeper May.
Despite competing admirably throughout the game and having a fair share of possession Nostell never really looked liked scoring. They must improve on this essential skill if they are to avoid relegation.
Full-time 2 : 0
Nostell:
Bennett, Donoghue, Tolley (Allsop 45mins), Davis, Wells, Beaston, Poole (Smith 65mins), Johnson (Morton 55mins), Kitson, Douglas, Mhlolo
Man of Match : Andrew Davis
Cautioned : Andrew Davis
Attendance 127