Wasteful Shirebrook hold on against bottom team

It wasn't as easy as might have been expected -- but Shirebrook Town at least pocketed three important points when hosting bottom-of-the-table Nostell Miners Welfare on Saturday.
A goalmouth scramble during Shirebrook Towns 2-1 victory against bottom-of-the-table Nostell Miners Welfare.A goalmouth scramble during Shirebrook Towns 2-1 victory against bottom-of-the-table Nostell Miners Welfare.
A goalmouth scramble during Shirebrook Towns 2-1 victory against bottom-of-the-table Nostell Miners Welfare.

Nostell arrived at Langwith Road with a terrible record of just two wins from 31 games in the First Division of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League, having conceded more than 100 goals.

But they made Shirebrook sweat a little before the home side carved out a 2-1 victory that kept them 14th in the 22-team table but only five points off ninth spot.

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They started the game well, with both Mitchell Dunne and Mark Robinson going close to opening the scoring. And although Nostell also looked dangerous themselves when they attacked, Shirebrook took the lead in the 15th minute when Dunne swung in a corner that the visiting ‘keeper failed to cut out and the ball ended up in the back of the net, although Kalum O’Kane claimed he got the final touch.

The hosts went close again when debutant Whelan almost made an instant impact. But Shirebrook were rocked on their heels on the half-hour mark when the Wakefield visitors snatched an unexpected equaliser. A ball was pulled back across the box and found an unmarked Aaron Fell, who tapped home at the back post.

Shirebrook hit back to dominate the last 15 minutes of the first half with Jonathon Hill hitting the bar, and Robinson, Dunne, O’Kane, man-of-the-match Scott Preece and Scott Wesley all having chances.

Somehow, Nostell survived and went in at the interval all square. But the second period was only five minutes old when Shirebrook restored their lead with what proved to be the winner. A corner from the left found Wesley, who headed home.

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The home side continued to push foward, but yet more chances, this time from Dunne, Robinson, O’Kane and Whelan, all went begging. The misses gave hope to Nostell, who tried to snatch a point in the last ten minutes. But every time they went forward, the offisde flag went up to halt them in their tracks.

This Saturday, Shirebrook are at home again when they entertain mid-table Selby Town (kick-off 3 pm).