Garforth Town 0 - Armthorpe Welfare 2

2014 starts with a win for Welfare, after a battling performance in a scrappy encounter against a mid table Garforth Town.

Welfare came into the game on the back of a mixed December, after winning three of their six matches, loosing the other three, with heavy defeats to Pickering Town, Brighouse Town and Basford United.

Manager Brian Johnston gave new signing Craig Aspinall his first start for Welfare today, after rejoining from Retford United in the week.

James Walker and Darren Mansaram both returned to the starting line up after missing the 5-1 defeat to Brighouse last weekend.

Straight from the whistle Welfare controlled the game, passing the ball around with ease on a tricky surface.

The first chance for Armthorpe came on 7 minutes when, forward Jay Rollins picked up the ball on the right hand side and pushed to the by line, he got his cross off which fizzed across goal, narrowly missing Kieran Benson.

After a bright start Welfare then let Garforth into the game, and route one football very nearly caught Armthorpe on the back foot on 18 minutes.  

A long ball was played over the top, a charging Will Biggs came and missed the shot, which started to roll towards his net, but luckily Steve Garner had his sprinting boots on and saved a certain Town goal, a let off for Welfare.

Welfare then had to wait till 41 minutes for their next chance, full back David Buck heading over from a Rollins freekick.

That was the final action of the first half and Welfare went into the break level pegging but the much better side.

As the second half whistle blew, Welfare were put under pressure from the kick off, and had keeper Biggs to thank after a wonderful save from a Craig Morley mistake, which allowed Garforth to be one on one with the keeper.

Then on 51 minutes winger Benson who caused an issue, breaking in from the left hand side and forced a freekick.

James Walker stepped up to hit the freekick, which struck the post and fell into the path of Darren Mansaram, who was there to slot home from 2 yards to give Welfare the lead.

From then on in Welfare had to cope with intense Garforth pressure, who pushed for an equaliser.

The contest then started to get scrappy, and bookings for both sides were handed out after some questionable decisions from the official in the middle.

Then on 85 minutes Garforth were down to 10 men after a second booking for Tawanda Rupere, who was deemed to have fouled David Buck in front of the dugouts.

Welfare then attacked for one final time and substitute, Tony Hattersley, forced a save from Michael Bathurst which roll out for a corner.

Kieran Benson put the corner in, and there was Captain Craig Morley to rise high and head home, to double Welfare’s lead in the 90^th minute.

Welfare manager Brian Johnston then wanted to run the clock down and brought on Anthony Ryan for goal scorer, Darren Mansaram.

The final whistle blew and Welfare have made the best possible start to 2014, with a hard fought away win in West Yorkshire, their second win away all season.

Welfare will now roll on to next weekend, a home tie against fellow South Yorkshire side, Maltby Main.

With two ties against Maltby in consecutive weeks, Welfare can reach 15^th in the league, if results go their way.  

Armthorpe Welfare 1 - Brighouse Town 5

Defensive errors cost Welfare in a game in which a second half revival wasn’t enough to beat high flying Brighouse Town at Chruch Street today.

Welfare were without key players for the clash with the West Yorkshire side today, Richard Smith, Darren Mansaram, Jonathan Mirfin, James Walker and Stuart Preston all missed out.

Brian Johnston’s side had won their last two league games, scoring eight goals in the process, only conceding one along the way.

On a cold day in South Yorkshire the home side had barely touched the ball before they found themselves one down.

A slip from midfielder, Anthony Ryan, on two minutes left Adam Matthews to pick up the ball, and unleash a shot, which bounced in front of keeper, William Biggs to put his side one up.

Matthews, who has scored 23 goals this season for Town then put Welfare under even more pressure, after a ball over the top found the feet of the forward who calmly slotted home on 12 minutes.

Welfare were caught on the counter once again, but had keeper Biggs to thank after tipping a shot onto the post which was cleared by Steve Garner.

But six minutes later, once again a counter attack became Welfare’s downfall as Joe Jagger scored his first of the afternoon and put Welfare three down before the half hour mark.

Welfare didn’t give much of an attacking display in the first 45 and walked off the muddy Church Street field dissevering to be three goals down.

As the second half whistle blew, the floodlights lit up Church Street and Welfare woke up.

Chances fell to striker Jay Rollins and David Buck who both struck their shots over the bar.

Welfare were the caught up the field and were hit on the counter once again, defender John Tunney went down injured and left a gap for Joe Jagger to pick the ball up and fire a curling shot past keeper Biggs to make it four on 57 minutes.

Welfare then started to find a way back into the game after forcing chances against a tiring Brighouse back four.

Brian Johnston then gave Tony Hattersley a chance to prove himself and that he just did, a pass found the feet of the youngster and he fired a curling shot with his right foot to give a Welfare a way back into the game.

But then, once again, Welfare were caught on the counter attack, a shot was well saved but rebounded into the path of Ernest Boafo who powered home to make it five for Brighouse on 72 minutes.

Welfare did have chances at the end of the game through Stuart Gibbard and Captain Craig Morley but to no avail and the full time whistle blew.

Welfare’s two game unbeaten run has been destroyed at the hands of a clinical Brighouse side that are tipped for promotion after a strong start to their season.

Welfare must now regroup for a tough away tie trip to mid table Garforth Town next Saturday, in search of the first three points of 2014.

Basford United 3 - Armthorpe Welfare 1

On a cold, grey day in Basford, former England international Lee Hendrie shone threw to give his new side all three points at Greenwich Avenue this afternoon. 

Welfare welcomed back Josh Gibbons into the starting eleven in the place of Tuesday's match winner, Craig Morley. Darren Mansaram also forced his way back in the starting line up after missing Tuesday's win over Thackley through illness.

Lee Hendrie started his first game for his new club Basford United after signing for the Nottinghamshire based side during the week.

The first ten minutes saw possessional football being played by both sides as they tried to find a way through each other's back line.

Former Villa man, Hendrie, showed his quality on 17 minutes, after picking up the ball on the edge of the 18 yard area, jinked past Steve Garner, and dinked the ball past Welfare's keeper Will Biggs.

Brian Johnston wanted an instant reaction from his players and that's just what he got. Jay Rollins and Darren Mansaram narrowly missing from close range.

Welfare were starting to find a way through the Basford back line until, a break away move forced Armthorpe back, a shot from Fabian Smith took a big deflection off Stuart Gibbard which wrong footed Biggs and hit the back of the net.

That goal 10 minutes before half time sent Welfare into the break 2-0 down and on the brink of a 10 defeat in 11 games.

When the second half whistle blew, Welfare flew out of the blocks. Jay Rollins picked up the ball on the right hand flank, played the ball into Stuart Preston who unleashed an unstoppable left foot curing shot to give Welly a way back into the contest.

Assistant manager Dave Poppleton urged his team on from the sidelines to press the play and get in Basford faces, and the players did just that.

Welfare then very nearly levelled the contest through Danny Taylor from a game of pinball in the box, which hit the post and the ball popped up to the Basford keeper and he took charge with his hands.

With ten minutes left, Jay Rollins found himself in space after a break away run and became one on one with the keeper, but pushed his shot inches wide.

The crowd felt there would be one more goal left in the game and unfortunately it came from Jamie Walker to break the Welfare momentum and give Basford all three points.

Once again a poor start and an excellent finish for Welfare wasn't enough just like it was on Tuesday night. Brian Johnston's men must regroup for the long trip to Pickering on Tuesday night.

Armthorpe Welfare 2 - Thackley 0

The fourth contest between these two sides this season, saw Welfare walk away from a cold Church Street winning their first game in eight matches, with goals from Jay Rollins and Captain Craig Morley.

Welfare came into this Premiership clash having lost eight matches in all competitions on the bounce including heavy defeats at Thackley, Albion Sports and Heanor Town, only scoring six goals in the recent run of poor form.

Welfare gave a second start of the season to Luke Atkinson after impressing in the unlucky 1-0 defeat to runaway leaders Tadcaster, Craig Morley captained the side also in the absence of Richard Smith.

Both teams started slowly with only a few chances in the first 20 minutes. Thackley’s Matt Hall came closest to breaking the deadlock with a selfish shot into the side netting.

The game then lit up with an off the ball incident causing a sending off for Thackley.

Luke Atkinson won the ball fairly off Luke Richardson, as Atkinson got back to his feet, Richardson felt the need to raise both hands and push Welfare’s number two to the ground, the referee sent Richardson packing much to his disgust.

This was the turning point in the game as the first half came to a halt with very few chances for both sides.

Just as manager Brian Johnston wants his team to play, Welfare started the second half with an intense work rate and forced Thackley into mistakes.

The chances started to come for Welfare as they made the extra man count with Stuart Gibbard coming close, heading over from an inch perfect cross from Rollins.

An excellent piece of play from Welfare broke the deadlock. Jay Rollins held the ball up for Danny Taylor who played a defence splitting pass into Rollins, who took a touch and placed the ball into the Thackley goal, his ninth goal of the season.

11 minutes later, Welfare attacked once again with Stuart Preston, Danny Taylor squared the ball, a missed shot from Gibbard fell into the path of captain fantastic, Craig Morley, to slot home and double the home sides advantage.

The final whistle blew and the reaction everyone involved in the club was hoping for. A second half performance that stunned highflying Thackley, showed that Armthorpe are no push overs.

Welfare travel to mid table Basford United on Saturday, looking for back to back wins for the first time since September.

Albion Sports 8 - Armthorpe Welfare 1

Armthorpe Welfare travelled to Albion Sports with a view to breaking the poor of form the Doncaster side find themselves in.

Five defeats on the trot in all competitions coming into this weekends tie with Albion Sports saw Brian Johnston make two changes to his starting eleven.

Striker Gary Mundy, who scored four goals in five game’s came in for Darren Mansaram and suspended Josh Gibbons was replaced by Anthony Ryan, making his second start of the season.

The game sparked into life with chances for both sides, keeper Will Biggs was tested with an early stinger.

Armthorpe then wasted two very good chances, in form Gary Mundy smashed a shot over the bar from close range, and James Walker fired over from 12 yards.

Defensive errors have cost Welfare points in the last few league games, and the first goal came from just that.

A long freekick was punted into the Welfare box on 16 minutes, both Anthony Ryan and Will Biggs jumped for the ball, Biggs failed to catch the cross and it fell into the path of Grenada international, Danny Facey to slot home into an empty net.

Albion started to pile on the pressure and the back line of Welfare crumbled. Facey once again slotting home from a Riley through ball and a John Tunney own goal saw Welfare three down just before the half hour mark.

Worry for Welfare as James Walker, who has just returned from injury came off after 40 minutes with a calf injury.

Albion’s midfield started to grab a hold of the game and carried on forcing Welfare back, but a quick counter attack from Jay Rollins then won Welfare a penalty after being brought down by James Stansfield.

Up stepped Jonathan Mirfin to reignite the fire for Welfare, but there was Aaron Brian to force the ball round the post with a strong left hand diving to his right.

Albion then countered and a neat volley past Biggs sent the home side into the break four up with Danny Facey being the difference, bullying the Welfare back line.

The second half whistle blew and Armthorpe came out firing with early chances for Mundy and Rollins.

Albion weathered the Welfare storm and soon caught Armthorpe on the counter, Danny Facey once again involved being the creator for Lee McGowans well placed header on 55 minutes.

Facey completed his hat trick and scored his 24^th of the season with a strong placed penalty past Biggs after being hauled down by Anthony Ryan. 6-0 and Welfare were dead and buried.

Albion Sports boast a striker that has international and Premier League experience in the form of Delroy Facey who made an appearance on 58 minutes at Throstle Nest.

Facey made an instant impact scoring two well worked goals with his left foot and his head to humiliate an already confidence hit Welfare. 8-0 with ten minutes left to play.

Welfare did get on the scoresheet with five minutes to play through a scrappy goal from Anthony Ryan after a squared ball from Jay Rollins.

Welfare walk away from high flying Albion Sports with their heaviest defeat in three years. Brian Johnston’s men must look for a reaction with games coming thick and fast, with matches against second placed Thackley and league leaders Tadcaster Albion at Church Street in the coming weeks. 

Thackley 4 - Armthorpe Welfare 0

An inspired William Biggs wasn’t enough to stop a rampant Thackley side running riot at Dennyfield in the second round of the FA Vase today.

Captain, Richard ‘smigger’ Smith described the keeper’s performance as “cracking” after a string of classy saves to stopped his side’s defeat becoming heavier.

Welfare welcomed back striker Darren Mansaram after missing him mid week at Glasshoughton, Welfare also had the chance to show off new signing, Robert Kilmartin after signing the Australian this week.

James Walker made his first start in over 8 months for Welfare after two subs appearances in the last two games warranted a start for the midfielder.

The game started with a flurry of movement from Welfare with an early chance for Jay Rollins, which was well saved by the Thackley keeper.

Thackley boast some of the league’s top scorers and on 17 minutes we saw why with a thunderous effort from Matt Morgan saw Will Biggs called into action to acrobatically tip the shot over the bar.

The home side started to pile on the pressure and the back four for Welfare soaked up the pressure like a sponge.

Thackley kept Biggs on his toes forcing Welfare to sit back and soak up pressure, which saw the home side have a spell of 15 minutes in the opposite half.

The first half came to close with Welfare going in the happier team and looking the better at points.

The second half whistle blew and once again Welfare attacked and won a penalty on the 50 minute mark.

Darren Mansaram picked up the ball and turned the Thackley centre half inside out, the man slipped and as he went down put a hand on the ball, the linesman gave it and up stepped Danny Taylor.

The luck that Welfare had craved still deserts them as the well struck penalty looked destined for the right hand corner, but a fantastic save from the goalkeeper, his eight penalty save from eleven, kept the scoreline at 0-0.

The Thackley pressure started to ware Welfare down and on 65 minutes the deadlock was broken. A run down the left hand flank allowed a cross to come in, it evaded everyone but Matt Hall who was unmarked to poke home at the back post.

Biggs was again on hand to keep the scoreline at 1-0, and allowed Armthorpe to pile on the pressure to force an equaliser.

Welfare were then caught on the counter, and an excellent finish from Chris Davey doubled the home sides lead and put them with one foot in the third round.

Two goals from Brendan Maltby and top scorer Matthew Mathers gave Thackley a 4-0 victory on a cold day in West Yorkshire and delighted the home supporters.

Welfare captain, Richard Smith said after the game: “I don’t think it was a fair reflection of the game to be honest. Luck hasn’t gone our way, and against a top side like Thackley, that’s what you need.

“Biggsey has made some cracking saves today and we’re all fully behind him all the way”

Welfare have now lost six matches in a row and a touch match next week at Albion Sports proves that there are no easy games in the NCEL Premiership. Smith said: “We’ve got to get something soon and pick up some points soon and break this winless run, we’ve got to stick together” 

Glasshoughton Welfare 1 - Armthorpe Welfare 0

Armthorpe Welfare slump to a fifth defeat in a row after a defensive error lead to Glasshoughton securing a fifth league win in as many games.

Armthorpe welcomed back into their starting eleven, Chris Davies after a month out due an injury. David Buck, Gary Mundy and Darren Mansaram missed out on the trip due to injuries picked up at Heanor Town on Saturday and Retford Town.

Armthorpe started the game well on a cold night at Leeds Road, pressing the Glasshoughton midfield into mistakes. Both teams took their time to work each other out.

Glasshoughton did know how Armthorpe were going to play after a 4-1 drubbing in the FA Vase earlier in the season, where striker Jay Rollins bagged a hat trick.

The first chance of the match fell for Armthorpe, Steve Garner won the ball back and went on an advancing run down the left hand flank, he pinged a ball cross field to the feet of Danny Taylor, after turning the full back inside out, Taylor dragged a left footed shot just wide of the Glasshoughton goal.

Glasshoughton then started to frustrate Armthorpe and a rash tackle from Jonathan Mirfin resulted in a freekick for the home side.

A long freekick was punted into the Welfare 18 yard area, a free header was won after not one Armthorpe defender picked up the runner, keeper Will Biggs failed to clear the ball, and a open goal was left for Darrell Young to slot home after 36 minutes.

Four minutes later an unnecessary sending off for Glasshoughton’s, James Beaston after raising an arm to Armthorpe’s, Chris Davies under the referee’s noise. The contest started to become a scrappy affair from this point.

The second half started brightly for Armthorpe, straight from the kick off Jay Rollins cut inside the left full back and fired a shot into the side netting. Early warning signs for the home side.

Delight for James Walker once again as he came off the bench for a forty-minute cameo after making his long awaited come back at Heanor Town on Saturday.

The game then slowed down and Glasshoughton sat back on their lead, another sending off for Glasshoughton then occurred as their manager, Rob Hunter, was sent from the dug out after constant jeers to the referee’s assistant on the near side.

Welfare then started to make their extra man count and a thunderbolt of a shot from Jonathan Mirfin saw Glasshoughton’s keeper, Paul Hagreen, pull off a diving save to push the ball round the post.

Welfare then pushed Hagreen into another great save from a diving header from substitute, Anthony Ryan from a James Walker freekick.

Welfare left it to late to force Glasshoughton into a mistake and the final whistle blew to end the scrappy encounter, which saw Rob Hunter’s men walk away with all three points.

Brian Johnston’s squad are now all to used to losing in the league after falling to the their fifth league defeat in a row. Welfare once again must regroup and focus on Saturday’s massive FA Vase cup tie at Thackley.

Welfare have had a good run up to now on the road in the Vase this season, after beating Glasshoughton and Liversedge, now Welfare face their third league compatriots in the competition, in the shape of Thackley at Dennyfield.