NCEL: Armthorpe thrash Retford to move out of drop zone

Victory saw Brian Johnston’s side move out of the bottom three.

It was the first time Welfare had scored six since beating Nostell MW 6-1 at home in December 2011.

More importantly it dragged another team into the relegation mix, with Retford just four points better off than Armthorpe but having played three more games.

Matt Semley, on his debut after joining from Evo-Stik side Goole AFC, gave Welfare the perfect start with a goal after just eight minutes when he slotted home from close range.

Darren Mansaram doubled the lead just after the half hour mark by heading home from a free-kick.

Semley scored his second and Armthorpe’s third a minute before the break with a fine goal, skipping past a couple of defenders before firing home.

Welfare put the game beyond Retford just three minutes into the second half when Richard Smith out-jumped the home keeper to nod in a right wing cross and stretch the lead to 4-0.

Mansaram added a fifth on 66 minutes with a fine header back across goal from another ball into the box.

Two minutes later James Handley burst down the right to deliver the perfect cross to the far post where Smith coolly side-footed home to complete the scoring.

Armthorpe have now won four of their last seven league outings ahead of another crunch game this weekend against next to bottom Nostell MW at Church Street.

The visitors have lost eight and drawn two of their last ten league outings since a surprise 4-0 home win against Maltby Main at the beginning of January.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture back in October when Stuart Preston netted a 66th minute equaliser after Nostell had taken the lead inside the first minute of the second half.

Armthorpe are unbeaten in the last seven meetings, which includes a league double last term.