Defeat for the Welfare in season opener

Nostell entertained the Steelmen with the opening fixture of the 2013/2014 season.
Parkgate had the honour of kicking the season into play.

The first 15 minutes saw both teams play open football. Jimmy Jagger headed directly at the Parkgate keeper after just 3 minutes, with Parkgate’s Oliver Graham responding after just 2 more minutes with a header over the Nostell crossbar.
After 9 minutes Nostell earned their first corner which was cleared by Scott Ellis of Parkgate. Play continued to move freely up and down the pitch.
Nostell saw a period of pressure on the Parkgate goal that was defended well by Parkgate. On the quarter of the hour Parkgate’s Scott Ellis fired a good shot at the Nostell goal saved by Lee McGrath for Nostell.
Within 2 minutes McGrath was called into action again, saving a fine shot from Scott Whittington. Nostell’s Wayne Ball played a fine ball in, but Daz Rushton fired over the Parkgate crossbar.
Parkgate gained the advantage in play that saw Nostell defending several attacks, most of the pressure coming down the left hand side with the Nostell keeper unsure, forcing O’Gara and Patterson to clear on several occasions.
The goal for Parkgate came at 30 minutes. A clearance by Lee, down the middle saw the ball returned by Parkgate, whilst the Nostell defenders and midfield were still clearing out.
The ball fell to Parkgate’s Graham on the edge of the box and he fired past McGrath scoring the opening goal of Parkgate’s season. The goal gave Parkgate confidence to take charge for the last 15 minutes of the first half, Nostell working hard to stay in the game.

Nostell re-started the game with purpose. Tom Hope fired wide after 2 minutes. Nostell continued the pressure and on 52 minutes looked to have a call for a penalty, as Scott Lowe of Parkgate seemed to push Brad Thompson off the ball. The referee Mr Grundy was having none of it. The Parkgate back four looked unsteady under pressure, but playing on the break found Whittington on the left cutting in, forcing a save from McGrath.
On 65 minutes Whittington burst into the box and looked to be free on the goal, but O’Gara covering, forced Whittington to turn. Down he went. Parkgate called for a penalty. The referee waved play on. The ball was passed out of play to afford Whittington treatment. He was carried off and substituted immediately. Morley came on to replace him.
Nostell had a period of good pressure on the Parkgate goal. At 70 minutes Nostell substituted Hope for D’Olivera. Parkgate seemed to sit back to defend their 1-0 lead and started to play on the break.
Mitchell played a good ball forward to Ellis who shot straight at the Nostell keeper. Nostell’s continuing pressure at the other end saw Ball go down in the area, from what looked to be a shove from Mitchell. The referee again waved play on.
Critchlow had a fine opportunity at 77 minutes as he danced around the Parkgate defenders, but fired wide. In the closing 10 minutes Thompson from Nostell tangled with the Parkgate keeper Howard, but the keeper held on to the ball.
Both sides substituted players, with Pearson and Brook coming on for Nostell and Simpson and Langford for Parkgate.
Nostell pressurised the Parkgate goal, looking for the equaliser but failed to unlock the Parkgate defence.

No bookings reflects the spirit of the game played and the officials deserve credit for their contribution to the game.