Toolstation NCEL Match Review 2013/14 #69
20th April, 2014
Congratulations to Brighouse Town who got the win they needed to secure the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title with a week remaining in the league season.
They knew that a victory would give them the title, no matter what happened in the day's clash between the other top three sides, and, with a first half strike from Tom Matthews added to in the second period from Leon Henry, they beat visitors Retford United 2-0 to spark massive celebrations at the Dual Seal Stadium.
It was Brighouse's eighth successive victory as they stormed to the title and is well deserved following their finishes in fourth and then second in the last two seasons.
Second-placed Tadcaster Albion were 2-1 winners at home to the side just below them Barton Town Old Boys after Gareth Barlow had given the away side a seventh minute lead.
Carl Stewart's penalty towards the end of the first period brought the scores level and Nick Thompson's winner with ten minutes remaining gave the Brewers the victory and Tadcaster will now have to wait for the result of an appeal against a points deduction to see if they finish the campaign as runners-up.
Worksop Parramore secured a top four spot with a 3-1 victory at Maltby Main whilst Basford United will end the season in fifth after they became the first Premier Division side to complete their fixtures with a 4-1 home win over Staveley Miners Welfare, Tyeisse Nightingale with a brace helping the Nottingham side to all three points.
Kieran Debrouwer netted again, his 56th of the season, as Heanor Town won 2-0 at home to Parkgate to climb into sixth whilst Albion Sports are seventh after their 3-2 victory over visitors Liversedge.
Winterton Rangers picked up a 1-1 draw at Bridlington Town, Leigh Hutchinson cancelling out Rikki Paylor's strike for the Seasiders, but they will now finish in the relegation zone as they are four points behind Nostell Miners Welfare, who lost 6-2 at Athersley Recreation, with one game left to play.
Bottom side Lincoln Moorlands Railway drew 1-1 at home to Glasshoughton Welfare whilst Pickering Town took a point away from Thackley by the same scoreline and Sam Akeroyd's late penalty earned Garforth Town a 3-2 victory at home to Long Eaton United.
The Division One title chase, meanwhile, is still wide open going into the last seven days with three teams all within a shout of lifting the trophy after winning their matches on Saturday.
Cleethorpes Town head the pack after Luke Mascall, Marc Cooper and Jonathan Oglesby netted in a 3-0 home win over Teversal.
They remain three points clear of Shaw Lane Aquaforce who won 4-0 at Rossington Main, early goals from Shane Kelsey and Ashley Flynn added to by a Danny Frost brace, but Aquaforce have a game in hand and a far superior goal difference.
Third-placed Bottesford Town know their title hopes are slim so will be pushing for a promotion spot with their last two matches, after Mark La Rocca's 89th minute winner at home to Appleby Frodingham kept them in the hunt with a 3-2 victory.
Eccleshill United are up into fourth as second half strikes from Connor Shefte and Ryan Jones brought the Eagles from behind at the interval to win 3-2 at Yorkshire Amateur.
The Ammas were one of three Division One sides to complete their campaign with Worsbrough Bridge Athletic losing 3-1 at Hall Road Rangers and Louth Town winning 4-3 at home to Dinnington Town to finish their seasons.
There were 3-1 away victories for Selby Town at Hallam and for AFC Emley at Pontefract Collieries whilst Knaresborough Town were 4-1 home victors over Dronfield Town and Clipstone drew 1-1 at Hemsworth Miners Welfare, courtesy of a Steve Carty equaliser.