NCEL round-up: Armthorpe Welfare set for six-pointer with Barton Town Old Boys

With the fixtures decimated by the wet spell, Armthorpe’s home clash against Bridlington Town was one of seven Premier Division games to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

But relegation rivals Barton Town Old Boys’ clash at high riding AFC Mansfield was one of just four games in the top flight to go ahead.

And Old Boys’ surprise 1-0 win sent Michael Carmody’s men tumbling into the bottom three, putting even more emphasis on this weekend’s clash between the two teams.

It is now a must-win game for Welfare against a Barton side that has collected ten points from their last four games.

Armthorpe must aim to put a similar run together if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history.

Defeat at Barton would leave Welfare staring at the unthinkable while three points would breathe new life into their battle for survival going into the final seven games of the season.

Armthorpe beat Barton 3-1 at Church Street in October with goals coming from Craig Morley and a Darren Mansaram double.

And there would be no better time for Carmody’s side to complete a league double over a Barton side, who despite their upturn in form, are the only Premier Division without a home league win to their name having lost 11 and drawn four at the Easy Buy Ground.

Maltby Main drew 1-1 against title hopefuls Pickering Town at Muglet Lame after the visitors snatched a stoppage time equaliser.

Rossington Main slipped to a third game without a win with a 3-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Penistone Church.

Chris Glarvey’s men were left with a mountain to climb once the home side had established a 2-0 lead inside the opening 17 minutes.

Andy Ring headed Church in front after just four minutes with Ben Rhodes doubling the lead with a controversial second when his cross dropped into the net as Ring challenged Main keeper Dan Morton to the high ball.

Rossington struggled to create any clear cut openings and with 17 minutes remaining the hosts wrapped up the points when central defender Brett Lovell seized on a loose ball to slot home from 12-yards.

Main will hope for a return to winning ways this weekend when they host Teversal as they look to make up for a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture back in October.

The visitors arrive having lost five of the last six on the road in all competitions with their sole victory coming in a 2-1 win at West Bridgford in the Notts Senior Cup in January.

Teversal, however, have taken four points from their last two visits to Oxford Street.