NCEL: Games running out for relegation-threatened Armthorpe Welfare

Kyle Jordan netted a last gasp penalty to defeat Armthorpe.

With relegation rivals Barton Town Old Boys and Parkgate both losing, it looked like Armthorpe had gained a valuable point in the battle to stay afloat in the Premier Division.

However, Worksop won a penalty as the game entered stoppage time which saw Kyle Jordan beat Liam Copley from the spot to secure a 2-1 win and end the visitors’ run of three defeats on the spin.

Welfare remain second from bottom and four points adrift of safety with games running out for Michael Carmody’s side to save themselves from the drop.

But the Welfare boss is in no mood to throw the towel.

He said: “I’m not one to give up until the fight is over and I’m hoping my players feel the same.

“We still have games to play and we will trying with everything we have to turn it around.”

Jason Kearsley, with his first goal for the club, had given Welfare a 1-0 lead going into the interval.

The visitors had hit the post inside the first five minutes but Kearsley struck on 39 minutes with a superb run through the Tigers’ defence before calmly rounding Jon Kennedy in the visitors’ goal to slot home and give Welfare real hope.

Carmody’s side though were pegged back ten minutes into the second half when Jordan headed in from an Adam Scott cross.

Darren Mansaram went close to restoring Armthorpe’s lead five minutes later but Kennedy made a fine save to keep his shot out - before the late drama left the Welfare with nothing.

Armthorpe have six games to avoid slipping out of the Premier Division for the very first time starting with Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Thackley.

The hosts won 2-0 at Church Street towards the end of October but go into the game having seen their form slip in recent weeks, winning just once in the last seven league outings.

Welfare have lost three of the last four visits to the Dennyfield with the only win coming in a 3-2 victory in March 2015 when Jay Rollins, Joe Lumsden and an own-goal earned Armthorpe maximum points.

Maltby Main ended a run of three games without a win with hard fought 1-0 victory over Bottesford Town at Muglet Lane.

Rossington Main are without a game for the second successive weekend with Chris Glarvey’s side back in action on Tuesday when they visit Division One promotion chasers Grimsby Borough.

Main are already virtually assured of NCEL football next season with a 15-point cushion over the drop zone.

But by the time they face Grimsby they could be mathematically safe if Westella & Willerby fail to pick up maximum points at home against Yorkshire Amateur.