NCEL and Central Midlands round-up: Welfare share spoils in six-goal thriller

Mike Carmody’s promotion chasers are sixth in the NCEL Division One table.

Adam Baskerville netted an early goal for Welfare before Parkgate levelled through Brandon Bagley.

Alex Rippon then propelled the hosts in front before Welfare made it 2-2 after the break via Luke Williams.

In a topsy-turvy game Simon Harrison’s free-kick made it 3-2 to the hosts but Armthorpe had the final say and secured a point when Baskerville converted a penalty.

Carmody said: “One thing I can rely on is that these lads won’t give up.

“They are the ones who deserve huge credit for putting us right in the promotion mix coming up to the mid-season point.”

Armthorpe entertain Swallownest this weekend where they will aim to keep up their promotion push by completing a league double following a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in August.

Elsewhere, Rossington Main ended the year on a losing note with a narrow 3-2 defeat at Retford FC.

In the Central Midlands League, Harworth Colliery missed out on a chance to reduce the gap on second-placed Dinnington as they lost 1-0 at Phoenix.

Sutton Rovers lost 6-1 against Retford United. for whom Dean Conway scored four times.

Askern went down 4-0 to Crowle Colts for whom Kurt Robinson (2), Tom Moulds and Dan Barrowcliffe netted.

Local rivals Thorne Colliery also ended the year on a losing note when going down by the odd goal in three against Collingham.

The game looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw when Darren Bird cancelled Chris Self’s opener, only for the Collingham striker to bag a second four minutes later.

Harworth Colliery Reserves failed to prevent Wakefield from extending their unbeaten run to six games when finishing on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline in their home Division One (North) clash.

Epworth Town left it late when beating Education FC 3-2 - Greg Carroll’s winner not coming until the 98th minute.