Baris NCEL Review - Season 2011/12 #51
8th April, 2012
Matches this weekend in the Baris NCEL were stretched over three days as fans were treated to a festival of football with the League's first ever Groundhop event.
On average, crowds were over 260 for the nine matches that were staggered across Thursday, Friday and Saturday with people coming from far and wide, including Germany and Norway, to see what this level of football has to offer.
It all began on Thursday evening as Hemsworth Miners Welfare won 3-1 at Yorkshire Amateur with Ryan Williams grabbing a brace for the visitors.
There were four games on Good Friday, starting with Dinnington Town's 3-2 victory at Eccleshill United, Michael Trench netting twice for the away side in an entertaining game.
That was followed by three Premier Division matches as Thackley were held to a 1-1 home draw, John Mallison equalising late on for the hosts to cancel out Danny Chambers' first-half opener for Long Eaton United.
Then, James Leggitt scored the winner for Arnold Town in a 1-0 victory at Liversedge and a Danny Nadiole hat-trick helped Brighouse Town to a 5-1 home win over Barton Town Old Boys in the evening game.
The festivities continued on the Saturday with two Premier Division games kicking things off.
Maltby Main gave their top-flight survival hopes alive with a 3-1 home win over Parkgate, Thomas Foylten-Brown putting them into the lead in the ninth minute before a Jonathan Wragg own goal restored parity by the break.
Rob Branagan and Craig Gladwin made sure of the victory in the final half-hour.
Staveley Miners Welfare were surprise 1-0 losers at home to Pickering Town, Russell Parker scoring seventeen minutes from time to virtually end the hosts' title challenge.
Then, the groundhop concluded with two Division One games, Craig Getliff scoring in the 87th minute to snatch a 1-0 win for Hallam over visitors Teversal.
And, goals in the second half from Spencer Goff, Tom Copping, Scott Ruthven and James Young saw Worsbrough Bridge Athletic finish 4-0 winners at home to Rossington Main.
The League would like to thank Groundhop UK for their organisation of the event, all the home sides for their fantastic hospitality, the away sides for agreeing to play their games at unusual times and the supporters who turned up to make it a huge success.
Away from the groundhop on Saturday, the Premier Division title race has seemingly become a two-horse race as the leading two sides Retford United and Bridlington Town both won.
Retford stay top by a point after their 2-1 victory at bottom side Selby Town.
It was a tighter match than many would have predicted, especially after Karl Slack opened the scoring for the Badgers on twelve minutes.
Selby showed great resolve, however, and equalised early in the second period through Abbas Sadeghian but Retford took the points with an Adam Colton winner just after the hour mark.
Five goals from Josh Greening, meanwhile, helped Bridlington canter to a 9-0 home victory over Lincoln Moorlands Railway who must now be looking over their shoulders at the relegation trapdoor.
Craig Hogg got a hat-trick as well for the Seasiders whilst Billy Logan also got on the scoresheet.
Two penalties in the last five minutes scored by Steve Gawthorpe saw Hall Road Rangers snatch a 3-1 victory at Armthorpe Welfare whilst Tadcaster Albion were comfortable 3-0 winners at home to Winterton Rangers.
Division One leaders Handsworth remain favourites to lift the title after their 4-0 home victory over basement outfit Appleby Frodingham.
Gareth Griffiths opened the scoring on twelve minutes and Sam Smith doubled Handsworth's advantage soon after.
Lee Hill made it three early on in the second half before Smith wrapped up the scoring with his second late on.
Handsworth remain six points clear of Worksop Parramore who won 4-0 at Bottesford Town but Parramore have two games in hand.
Albion Sports' title challenge, though, came to an end as a 3-1 home defeat to Pontefract Collieries means they can no longer catch the leaders.
Dean Wharam's hat-trick helped AFC Emley to a 4-1 victory over visitors Louth Town whilst Askern Villa won 2-0 at home to Grismby Borough.