NCEL Match Review #57
12th March, 2009
Pontefract Collieries and Staveley Miners Welfare will face each other to see who lifts the Wilkinson Sword Trophy this season.
They both won comfortably at home in the last four to move into the two-legged final.
Pontefract went through with a 3-0 victory over Rainworth Miners Welfare.
Craig Rouse scored twice in the opening 23 minutes, once from the penalty spot, before Michael Long made sure of the win just before the half-hour mark.
An eleven minute hat-trick at the start of the match from Lee Gregory helped Staveley claim a 5-0 win against Bottesford Town.
The hosts had to wait until the 65th minute for their fourth from Carl Smith and Callum Flannigan concluded the scoring as the game went into injury time.
In the Premier Division, three sides with slim hopes of a title challenge saw their chances all but evaporate with defeats.
Fifth-placed Pickering Town lost 4-2 at Dinnington Town with the hosts going three-up thanks to a second-half brace from Gavin Allott and a goal from Liam Cartledge.
Chris Johnson pulled one back for the Pikes to give them hope on 68 minutes but Michael Blythen made it 4-1 before there was a late consolation from Chris Batchelor.
Pickering stay ahead of Arnold Town, who lost 2-0 at Parkgate thanks to goals from Daniel Payne and Ryan Johnson, and Thackley, who were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Maltby Main.
Neil Longhurst scored in the opening seconds and Dave Shepherd struck in the final minute for the visitors.
Winterton Rangers climb to ninth after Bill Law's 42nd minute goal earned them a 1-0 home win over Hall Road Rangers.
Division One leaders Scarborough Athletic dropped their first points since October as they drew 2-2 at Grimsby Borough.
The Seadogs found themselves two down after 50 minutes as Luke Mascall and Lewis Buckthorpe found the net for Borough.
But, David Kemp and Mark Griffin made sure Athletic stretched their unbeaten run to 26 matches.
Their lead has been cut to twelve points after second-placed Askern Villa won 1-0 at home to Brighouse Town, Chris Dickman with the goal on 62 minutes.
Dean Short scored with six minutes remaining to earn Teversal a 2-2 draw at bottom side Glasshoughton Welfare whilst Ryan Hibbert netted just after the hour mark to give Appleby Frodingham a 1-0 victory at Tadcaster Albion.
Yorkshire Amateur and Rossington Main shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at Bracken Edge, Sean Ward equalising for the home side on 44 minutes after Lee Holmes had given Main an early lead.
Brodsworth Welfare and Hemsworth Miners Welfare are through to the last four of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup after both beat NCEL rivals.
Brodsworth cantered to a 5-0 victory at home to Hallam as Scott Bibby struck a hat-trick after Lee Snodin's opener from the penalty spot whilst Liam Wilkin also got on the scoresheet.
And, Hemsworth won 2-1 in extra-time at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, Scott Collins with the vital strike in the 95th minute.
Armthorpe Welfare bowed out of the West Riding County Cup at the Semi-Final stage despite a brave performance at Bradford Park Avenue, Stuart Preston and Danny Sharpe scoring in their 4-2 defeat.
And, in a friendly to mark their 90th anniversary, Selby Town beat a Selby Town Select XI side, 8-2.