NCEL: Relegation-threatened Armthorpe Welfare face nervy end to season

Stuart Preston (right) forund the net for Armthorpe in their win at home to Thackley.

A 2-0 win against Thackley in their final home game of the season on Saturday left Welfare requiring three more points from their remaining three games to survive.

But a 4-0 defeat at Liversedge on Tuesday night did little to ease their worries.

And tonight Brian Johnston’s men travel to league leaders Tadcaster Albion who need three points to wrap up the title.

Armthorpe are in 17th, three places above the drop zone, but they can still be leapfrogged by four teams beneath them.

They took 66 minutes to make an all-important breakthrough at Thackley when Charlie Braithwaite’s cross was turned into his own net by Thackley defender Damien Hopkins. Stuart Preston sealed the win 15 minutes from time with a close range finish.

Ray Fogarty bagged a hat trick for Liversedge on Tuesday to condemn Welfare to a disappointing defeat.

Armthorpe go to Garforth Town on Saturday in their final match.

Rossington Main went into their final game of the season at Eccleshill United knowing they were already safe from relegation after bottom of the table Worsbrough Bridge Athletic lost both of their midweek games, thus meaning they could no longer overhaul Lee Holmes’ side.

With the pressure off both teams it led to an entertaining finale that finished in a 1-1 draw.

Eccleshill edged in front in the 26th minute, Anil Singh latching onto a through ball to score with a good finish past Richard Watson.

Main’s leveller came on 33 minutes when Jordan Hatton found the net from 20 yards.

Hull United have been relegated after failing to confirm a ground for the 2016/17 season, meaning Worsbrough are now likely to be handed a reprieve from relegation.