KIMBERLEY MW 4

STAPENHILL 0

A WEEK after beating title favourites Bardon Hill, Stapenhill's roller coaster of a season continued at the Stag Ground as they were demolished by Kimberley Miners Welfare.

The Swans were sunk by a brace from Liam Honeywell and further goals from Elliot King and Cashell Walters.

To complete their misery, defender Harry Austin was given a straight red card late on for a two-footed tackle on Roberto Labbate.

Defeat keeps a strangely lacklustre Stapenhill down in 14th place in the East Midlands Counties League, four points off 10th spot and a place in next season's FA Cup.

The Swans held their own in the opening minutes, though, with Alex Rowland firing just wide and Karl Wayte heading wide from a Jamie Disney cross.

Then Richard Perry put Wayte clear but Miners keeper Andrew Dell saved with his feet.

The hosts responded well, with a wicked corner whipped in from the left by Walters met by Jacob Webster, who saw his fierce shot beaten out by Ben Gough to King, whose overhead attempt flew wide. Then Josh Stevenson blazed wildly over.

At the other end, Paul Furniss volleyed just wide and Alex Britton – back at the club after a spell in the Northern Premier League with Loughborough Dynamo – combined with Rowland to give Disney a chance but he too volleyed wide.

Slowly the Miners turned the screw. King set up Mark Smith but his shot was tipped over by Gough.

Then Walters went on a typical darting run down the left before crossing to Honeywell, who set up Smith. When his shot was blocked, Walters put the rebound over.

On 26 minutes, Walters pumped an optimistic high ball into the box.

Gough came out to claim it as it ran along the ground, only to let the ball slip through his legs and Honeyman, following up, ran the ball over the line.

A succession of fouls followed with three bookings in five minutes – Richard Dean for the Miners and Perry and Wayte for the Swans.

Lee Stevenson traded passes with King, only to be denied by Austin, who got across to clear.

A mix-up in the Miners defence let Wayte in but Dell reacted well to save his first-time volley.

Then an Austin free kick just eluded Steve Dennahy as he closed in at the far post.

However, the Miners could well have doubled their lead at the end of the first half when Smith fired wide from a tight angle.

The hosts flew out of the blocks in the second half with Gough soon punching out a King header.

Then King teed up Smith to drive inches over.

On 54 minutes, the Miners doubled their lead.

A poor clearance from Dennahy fell to King and although Gough did well to beat out his fierce shot he had no chance with Honeywell's follow-up.

Stapenhill kept going with Danny Gilligan whipping an inviting ball in to Wayte, who blazed over.

On 65 minutes, Gough pulled off a magnificent save to turn Walters' shot, which looked destined for the top corner, over the bar. Walters shook his head in disbelief.

Dennahy then denied substitute Reece Strode with a crucial tackle.

On 75 minutes, the Miners put the game beyond the Swans with a third goal.

Smith took a short corner to Walters, who played the ball back to him and the midfielder got to the byline before his low driven cross was converted by King.

It could have been worse a moment later when Gough's attempted clearance hit Honeyman and flew just past the post. Then Gough saved a shot from King with his feet.

Walters was a constant threat down the left and another surging run saw him cut the ball back to King, who drove over.

On 85 minutes, Austin picked up a straight red card for his two-footed lunge on substitute Labbate and Stapenhill's misery was complete in the final minute when they conceded a fourth.

King glided past two defenders and although Gough beat out his initial strike, he had no chance with the follow-up from Walters.

GOALS: Honeyman 26, 54, King 75, Walters 90 (Miners).

KIMBERLEY MW: Dell, Zizaruk-Gibson, Legitt, L Stevenson, J Webster, J Stevenson (Chapman 70), Dean (Strode 62), Smith (R Labbatte 78), Honeyman, King, Walters. Sub not used: Daykin.

SWANS: Gough, Gilligan, Rowland, Upton, Dennahy, Austin, Disney, Furniss, Perry (Dent 62), Wayte (Campbell 78), Britton. Sub not used: Sanders.

SWANS' STAR MAN: Alex Britton – worked hard and used the ball well on his return.

YELLOW CARDS: Dean (Kimberley); Perry, Wayte (Swans).

RED CARD: Austin (Swans).

REFEREE: W Gray (Mansfield).

ATTENDANCE: 42

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