Armthorpe Welfare 1 v Bridlington Town 2

Tuesday 11th April 2017

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
at the Welfare Ground, Church Street, Armthorpe

Armthorpe Welfare (1) 1
Gary Collier 3
Bridlington Town (2) 2
Jake Day 36, Brett Agnew 45+
Admission £5. Programme £1.50
Attendance TBC

Tonight's narrow defeat was the final nail in the coffin for Armthorpe's disappointing league campaign, as their relegation to Division One of the NCEL was confirmed.
But 'Wellie were in front in the third minute when Gary Collier timed his run well to stay onside and lobbed the ball over Mick Baxter as he advanced from his line, from just outside the left hand side of the 'Brid' area.
Chris Adams left wing cross for the visitors, struck JoshGibbons and went behind for a corner, amid some very loud appeals for a "handball!" But JackWalters left wing delivery went out of play before any of his teammates had a chance to add a finishing touch.

That nice Mr Smurthwaite and his lovely chauffer

The Seasiders began tot ake control of the game and the home side were forced to mount a determined rearguard challenge as Walters and Chris Adams peppered their goalmouth with a regular supply of crosses for Brett Agnew and Jake Day, while Fraser Papprill was unlucky not to find the net as he headed narrowly off target three times, having gone up from his centre half berth for any (of the many) set pieces Curtis Woodhouse's side had in the final third.
It was only a matter of time until 'Brid' were on level terms as they came closer and closer to turning their dominance into goals.

Liam Copley got down to his right to turn the ball away at full stretch, after Day had taken down Walters left wing cross on his chest and drilled the ball towards the bottom corner with a crisply struck half volley and then the Armthorpe keeper plucked Walters corner kick out of the air.
But there was very little that Copley could do in the thirty sixth minute when Day crashed the ball into the roof of the net from outside the area, to put the visitors on level terms. It had been coming.
And in first half stoppage time, Copley did well to block Jamie Forrester's close range shot, but the ball broke free to Agnew who tapped the ball into the open goal to put the Seasiders ahead.
HT: Wellie 1 v Seasiders 2

Bridlington were queuing up to take turns shooting at Copley's goal in the second half, but a combination of several saves, including a particular good one from Forrester's ten yard strike, stout defending and some fairly woeful finishing meant that the visitors wouldn't add to their total in the second half.
Armthorpe spent most of the second half repelling virtually relentless pressure in their own final third, but the visitors simply couldn't supply the finishing touch.
The home side were having to content themselves with a rare counter attack every now and then, but although their seemed to be little that they could do about it, they had at least found that 'Brid' were looking slightly vulnerable against quick breaks down the flanks.
Day hit the post from Forrester's through ball and Chris Gowen did well to clear the Brid number ten's next chance off the line.

Jason Kearsley also had a shot cleared off the line, as the optimistic home fans half celebrated because they thought the ball had gone in.
In the final minute, the visitors were almost made to regret their lacklustre showing in front of Armthorpe's goal, when Collier picked out Kearsley in front of the 'Brid' goal, but Baxter tipped his shot over the bar.
And that was that... the Seasiders had held out for a narrow win right at the end, but in truth, they really ought to have been several goals in front, well before then, given the amount of chances they squandered.
FT: Armthorpe Welfare 1 v Bridlington Town 2
Armthorpe have three Premier Division games left to go. They're at home against Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Saturday, before travelling to Clipstone on the penultimate weekend of the season, before champions elect Cleethorpes Town visit on Saturday 29th May, which will be the 'Wellie's' final game before they move into Division One.

'Brid' also have three league fixtures left to complete, namely: Thackley and Parkgate at home and an away trip to Garforth Town. But they are still involved in the NCEL League Cup and will face AFC Emley in the Semi Final at the Neil Hudgell Solicitors Stadium... the victors of that game will face the winners of the other Semi Final between Penistone Church and Glasshoughton Welfare at Bramall Lane on Wednesday 17th May.
The Seasiders have also qualified for the East Riding Senior Cup Final and will face Hull City at Hall Road Rangers ground Haworth Park on Wednesday 10th May.