An emphatic night of football has raised more questions than answers at both ends of the NCEL after the latest round of fixtures.
Emley AFC 3-0 Frickley Athletic
To keep their promotion hopes alive, Emley AFC required a win against Frickley Athletic to put further pressure on current play-off spot holders Winterton Rangers. The Pewits did their job with a Hardaker brace and a goal from Gooden on the 78th minute sealing three vital points. Emley were spurred on by 264 fans in what was their penultimate home fixture of the season. They now face three games in the space of 7 days and know that they must achieve maximum points in order to have any chance of sealing second place. Promotion rivals Winterton have only one remaining fixture against local side Hallam FC. Winterton can guarantee second place with a win over the Countrymen this Saturday.
Emley remaining fixtures: Barton Town (H) 8th April 3:00pm
Hallam (A) 11th April 7:45pm
Barton Town (A) 15th April 3:00pm
Athersley Recreation 2-1 Dronfield Town The Rec kept alive their hopes of NCEL Division One survival with a last-minute glancing header against Dronfield Town at Sheerien Park last night. Athersley started the game brightly and went into a deserved lead in the 18th minute through an Auty goal. The crowd of 110 witnessed a deflected Rooke effort nestle in the bottom corner of the goal allowing town to level up. In a pulsating second half, Town and Rec both had chances to win the game in what was a highly entertaining contest for those in attendance. A draw would have condemned Athersley to a finish in the bottom three of the division but cometh the hour, cometh the man; club hero Lee Garside directed a header from a pinpoint corner sparking scenes of jubilation and relief. Athersley stay alive for the moment, cutting the gap to safety to 4 points with 2 games remaining. Swallownest can escape the bottom three tonight as they invite Brigg to the “Swall Siro” in their final home league encounter of the season.(7:45pm k.o)
Athersley remaining fixtures:
Brigg (A) 8th April 3:00pm
Armthorpe Welfare (A) 12th April 7:45pm
Tuesday 4th April Results:
Northern Premier League – East
Sheffield FC 2-3 Ossett United NCEL Division One Glasshougton Welfare 1-2 Armthorpe Welfare
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