The home side proved a difficult test for Parkgate, with only one goal separating the two teams.
Four of Andy Dawson’s new additions featured in the starting eleven today, with goalscorer Jonathan Fusco, Josh Davies and Ollie Yates playing the full 90 minutes and midfielder Matt Robinson getting 45 first-half minutes.
Armthorpe Welfare started the brighter of the two sides having two half chances in the opening 20 minutes but their front-man failed to provide any clinical finish as a result.
Matt Crookes had a great effort following a Josh Davies corner. However, the defender could only put his headed effort wide of the post meaning the score remained level.
With 26 minutes on the clock, new signing Jonathan Fusco opened his goal scoring account for the season, after latching onto the flick of Holden with Fusco firing a superb strike over the keeper from distance.
The home side were slow to pick themselves up after Parkgate’s goal, with their next chance coming from a delivery deep into the penalty area, seeing Welfare’s captain ‘Steve Garner heading inches wide of the Chris Butt’s post.
Parkgate’s Matt Crookes has another fantastic opportunity from Davies’ corner. This time heading the ball towards goal with a defender clearing Crookes’ effort off the line and away to safety.
HALF-TIME | Armthorpe Welfare 0-1 Parkgate
The half-time interval saw a change in shape for the visitors and a competitive return for winger ‘Zak Khalifa.
The second half saw the game open up a little bit more, which saw Brandon Bagley have a couple of great chances, but the Parkgate forward could only shoot at the opposition keeper.
The final 15 minutes saw Armthorpe put pressure the Parkgate back-line, who held their own seeing the Steelmen through to the final whistle, securing an opening victory for Parkgate.
FULL-TIME | Armthorpe Welfare 0-1 Parkgate
Parkgate: Butt, Yates, L.Whitaker, Crookes, Starosta(c), Collinson (E.Simpson), Robinson (Khalifa) (Valladolid-Collins), J.Davies, Holden, Bagley, Fusco.
Unused subs: G.Morris, A.Simpson.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
9. | Nostell Miners Welfare | 25 | 35 |
10. | Armthorpe Welfare | 28 | 34 |
11. | Parkgate | 22 | 34 |
12. | Hallam | 20 | 33 |
13. | Dronfield Town | 24 | 32 |
14. | Ollerton Town | 26 | 28 |
15. | Rossington Main | 24 | 28 |