NCEL: Armthorpe Welfare suffer 3-2 loss in first 2020 outing

It was the visitors who started the game with more energy and they went close early on when Alfie Stevens-Neale was forced to save smartly at his near-post from Alex Nightingale.

Stevens-Neale then saved a 25-yard free-kick at the foot of his post before Welfare threatened for the first time when Ryan Poskitt headed over from close range.

A minute later though Swallownest took the lead as a fortunate ricochet led to Dan Barnsley who stabbed home inside the box.

It was then 2-0 shortly after when Aaron Statham rose to glance a header home.

Half-time saw a reshuffle for Welfare with recent signing Billy Ball coming on in place of Chris Simpkins.

They soon reduced the deficit on 54 minutes when Poskitt sent Baskerville clear and he scored via an angled shot.

Unfortunately, just over a minute later the visitors broke away for Nightingale to set up Barnsley for his second and Swallownest’s third goal to make it 3-1.

With 15 minutes to play Welfare had claims for a penalty waved away after Charlie Myers pushed away Luke Williams’ cross with his raised arms but the referee was unmoved.

The last ten minutes saw Welfare lay siege to the Swallowenst goal.

But they were denied on a couple of occasions by a combination of stubborn defending and a bit of luck for the visitors.

In the final minute Baskerville was felled inside the box and he duly converted the penalty to reduce the arrears once more.

However, there was no time to force an equaliser as less than a minute later the final whistle blew.

In the end it was too little, too late as Welfare piled on the pressure but the damage was done in the slow opening hour of the game.

Welfare will now look to pick themselves up for this weekend’s visit to third-placed North Ferriby.

Meanwhile, Maltby Main return to action on Saturday when they welcome Bridlington Town to Muglet Lane. The Miners will be up against a buoyant Bridlington side following their 4-3 win over leaders Penistone Church last weekend.