Baris NCEL Match Review #63
31st March, 2013
Over a thousand people watched the match of the weekend as Baris NCEL Premier Division leaders Scarborough Athletic drew 3-3 with their landlords Bridlington Town in a pulsating tie.
It means Bridlington stay ten points away from top spot in third position, making their own title challenge ever more difficult.
The match, which kicked off at 11:30am as part of the league's Easter Groundhop weekend, started off at breakneck speed with Patrick Miller giving the Seadogs a 20th minute lead before the home side quickly restored parity through Chris Batchelor and then went ahead with a Nathan Cook strike.
Jimmy Beadle scored, though, in first half stoppage time to ensure the teams went in 2-2 at the interval.
Ryan Blott notched up his 35th league goal of the season to put Scarborough back ahead but Josh Greening once again levelled the match before the hour mark with what was the final goal of the game.
Second-placed Brighouse Town did not play as their game was called off and they are three points behind Scarborough with a match in hand.
Tadcaster Albion are up into fourth after their 5-1 win in their Saturday evening groundhop game at home to Barton Town Old Boys, Terry Taylor with two of the Brewers' goals.
They go above Worksop Parramore who went down 3-0 at Pickering Town, courtesy of goals from Liam Shepherd, John Heads and Lewis Taylor in the afternoon groundhop match.
Adam Scott scored twice for sixth-placed Retford United in their 3-1 home victory over Maltby Main whilst Parkgate climbed into the top eight with a 4-2 win against visitors Liversedge as late goals from Martyn Lee and Tom Roebuck earned them the three points.
They climb over Thackley who drew 1-1 at Winterton Rangers, the home side moving out of the bottom three with that point.
Bottom side Arnold Town showed fighting spirit with a 2-1 victory over Lincoln Moorlands Railway who replace Winterton in twentieth spot.
Barry Payne netted the opener for Arnold before Tony Law levelled against his former club on 31 minutes but James Price got a priceless winner midway through the second period.
Arnold are now eight points behind Moorlands who are just outside the drop zone but the Eagles have six games in hand.
Staveley Miners Welfare snatched a point with an injury time equaliser from Jamie Smith to draw 3-3 at Armthorpe Welfare whilst, in Friday's groundhop top flight game, Glasshoughton Welfare were 2-0 home winners over Nostell Miners Welfare.
Athersley Recreation continue their charge to the Division One title as a crowd of 500 watched their 8-1 win at home to bottom side Askern Villa in another groundhop match played on Friday.
Steven Bennett scored four whilst Tom Harban converted a penalty, Jason Bentley grabbed a brace and Joe Thornton got the eighth for the Penguins.
Athersley are six points clear of second-placed Albion Sports who came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Grimsby Borough with Daniel Facey scoring twice and Alex Cusack finding the net in the final half-hour.
Knaresborough Town and Cleethorpes Town climbed into the top four ahead of Shirebrook Town whose game at Dinnington Town was one of six games that failed to beat the bad weather.
Steve Bromley scored two penalties and Joel Freeston also netted twice for Knaresborough in Friday's 4-0 groundhop win at Hemsworth Miners Welfare, all the goals coming in the opening period.
Cleethorpes won 6-0 at Appleby Frodingham on Saturday with Richard Belding's double helping them to a big three points in their promotion challenge.
Ben Hunter's hat-trick led Rossington Main to a 4-3 win at home to Hallam whilst next-to-bottom Yorkshire Amateur continue to struggle, losing 2-1 at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.
And, in the fourth groundhop game on Friday, Pontefract Collieries drew 2-2 with visitors Selby Town after two goals from Daniel Gray in the opening thirty minutes had seemingly put the away side in control.