AFC Emley interim chairman Terry Higgins: We have to move forward

Terry Higgins, interim chairman of AFC Emley

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
AFC Emley interim chairman Terry Higgins believes the club are starting to overcome their problems, caused by the well-publicised events at the Welfare Ground.
John Whitehead’s resignation as chairman and secretary has left a gaping hole at Emley and Mr Higgins is trying to steady the ship.
Whitehead resigned 48 hours after sacking Darren Hepworth from his position as first team manager which left Mr Higgins picking up the pieces on the Sunday morning.
Hepworth was reinstated in the evening and Mr Higgins, 42, spoke of his pride of the club’s volunteers and supporters reaction this week.
He also paid tribute to the departed chairman Whitehead.
“Obviously last weekend wasn’t the best of weekends with all the events that did go on,” he told Sports Performer.
“I think this week we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and one of the pleasing things that I can take the positives from is the amount of support that has come forward.
“You could see on Saturday the volunteers that came forward. Behind the scenes we had people making sandwiches and cups of tea for people and really rallying around.
“John Whitehead and his wife Kaz were a major part of this club and fantastic servants to the club. John was chairman and secretary and Kaz did the bar and the tea bar.
“Any decision like what happened is going to be a difficult decision and one of the hardest things for me is that John and Kaz are personal friends of mine and my wife.
“For it to end up this way, someone was always going to get hurt.
“It has been difficult and there will be more difficult times to come and I’m sure we’re going to get things wrong and forget things, but all we can do is pull together.
“I’ve said to everyone that we’re all volunteers and let’s just try and enjoy it and get the fun back into it.”
While Mr Higgins and his volunteers were running the off-the-field matters on Saturday, Hepworth and Emley recorded their first win since his reinstatement.

Darren Hepworth

Emley thrashed Grimsby Borough 7-2, nine days since the now infamous “heated” meeting about club matters between Whitehead and Hepworth which led to the manager’s sacking. Emley went onto beat Appleby Frodingham under caretaker leadership, but Whitehead had already appointed a new manager which fuelled further anger.
Looking back on the 72 hours which started with Hepworth’s sacking and ended with his reinstatement, Mr Higgins said: “I will admit that I spoke to John on the Friday morning and he also spoke to Daz and sacked him
“This was done without consultation from the committee, which the committee were quite aggrieved by and rightly so.
“He then spoke to a possible candidate and unfortunately told the players and coaching staff that in the dressing room on the Saturday, which is what really caused the big upset.
“After Saturday, myself and John had a long chat with Roly Lanes and Pat Piercy about the future and who we appoint.
“John then called me on Sunday morning to say he felt he couldn’t take the club in the direction it wants to go anymore and wished to resign as chairman and secretary with immediate effect.
“He said he would put that in writing on the Monday morning. I said to him that I needed to speak the committee straightaway because I couldn’t wait until Monday morning because at that moment we had no chairman, no secretary, no first team manager and potentially players leaving from the first team and the committee members weren’t happy.
“I spoke to all the committee members, the first team captain and the coaches on Sunday with a view of getting together.
“But, at that stage, by speaking to everyone, there was no doubt that momentum was building saying ‘let’s put Daz back in charge’. Yes things were said and things need to be changed, but the overwhelming majority, I will admit it wasn’t unanimous, said that Daz was the right man to take the club forward.
“All I could do on the Sunday as vice-chairman was speak to as many of the committee as humanely possible, admittedly a couple were on holiday, and ask them who they wanted in charge of this football club.
“That vote wasn’t unanimous, but everyone agrees we did it democratically and we have got to move on from that and give Daz our full backing.”
Emley will appoint a new chairman at an unscheduled Extraordinary General Meeting, but Mr Higgins says the priority to recruit a club secretary.
“One of the big things is that we need a secretary and in non-league football that is a huge role and such an important role,” he said.
“If we can find a secretary and we are constantly looking around.
“There are two things: a – steady the ship over the next few weeks and b – start planning for the rest of the season and for the next couple of years.
“It is a great time to get the right people in place.”
Asked if he wanted to become the permanent chairman, Mr Higgins, who has lived in the village for around 12 years and being involved with the football club for four of them, said: “I would happily be chairman, what I don’t want to see is this club stagnate.
“Like everyone else, it is about time. I have a family, a job and I work away from home a lot.”

Darren Hepworth looks back at a mad 72 hours for AFC Emley

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Last Saturday Darren Hepworth was out of work Non-League football manager.
Less than 24 hours earlier, he had been relieved of duties as manager of AFC Emley – a decision that would later cause a chain reaction of events.
But, as Emley, under the caretaker management of Joe Howson, made their way to Appleby Frodingham for their Toolstation NCEL Division One match, Hepworth was at loose end.
“I’m training for a marathon so I got some training in, but it was a pretty surreal day,” he said.
“I was totally lost on Saturday morning. It was the first time since I have been involved in football, as a player or coach, that when there is competitive football on a Saturday I have not been involved.
“I wondered around aimlessly in Leeds and got my haircut. It was a really tough day.”
Hepworth had been left “stunned” by the news that his two-and-a-half year reign had come to an end on the Friday morning. He was sacked by the chairman John Whitehead following a heated discussion about unspecified club matters at a meeting on the night before.
The Emley players, despite their anger over the decision, went to Appleby and won 4-0. Their fury had also been increased by the announcement that Whitehead had appointed an un-named manager.
Club captain Paul Sykes then revealed that he planned to retire from football in disgust at Hepworth’s dismissal.

Paul Sykes

On the Sunday morning Whitehead chose to resign which left vice-chairman and now interim chairman Terry Higgins to pick up the pieces and after he got the committee’s view, Hepworth received the call in the evening to say he had been reinstated.
Hepworth immediately started planning for Wednesday night’s trip to Bottesford Town and contacted his players to tell them the news – people who he greatly admires.
“The players have been credit to themselves and AFC Emley,” he said.
“They are a fantastic set of lads, committed and have a great attitude with regards learning. They have an abundance of talent and they’ll go places. If we can keep them together, we’ll only improve.
“Here at Emley we’re trying to get the best local talent and get that blend of experience and youth while trying to play attractive football as well trying to get out of this division.
“They could have turned around and said they weren’t playing for the club last week (at Appleby), but they’re far too professional for that. At the end of the day, they’re here to play for the shirt and they’re very proud to play for AFC Emley, you can see that in their performances.
“Last week they did a performance for AFC Emley and that’s what I expect.”
Whilst his players were delighted with the news of his return, Hepworth was taken aback by the response from the football community to his sacking and then reinstatement.
“The reaction from both within the club and outside of it was overwhelming,” he said.
“It reminds you of two things: one how important AFC Emley is as a football club and the feeling within it was unbelievable from the supporters. Football as a family and a sport and in non-league football is a close thing and I had great support.
“My phone was melting first of all on the Friday and then on Sunday when the club announced I had been reinstated. I think the telephone company will be appreciative of my bill.
“It was pandemonium on the phone.”

Hepworth made his return to management at Bottesford where his team were beaten 4-0. Emley responded by thrashing Grimsby Borough 7-2 yesterday afternoon.
Promotion-chasing Emley are fifth in the Division One table and Hepworth retains the faith of the committee, but he admits there is a bigger picture at the Welfare Ground.
“Things started to develop on the Sunday and quite clearly the club were trying to sort things out when the chairman announced his resignation,” he said.
“The club had to make a decision on how it was going to move forwards and obviously the committee decided the best thing right now was to try and get stability with the current management team.
“They could have done that (appointed the un-named manager). There were obviously a number of options that the committee had.
“I’m just glad I was reunited with my management team and able to carry on the hard work we are doing as a project – something we are a long way from completing.
“It is not just about the first team here and that’s the important thing. This is about building a club and an infrastructure that is sustainable for the next 20 years, not the next two.
“The under 19s and our Development Squad going into the Lancashire League this season are massively important steps forward for the club.”
And while Hepworth and the former chairman Whitehead clashed on club matters, the Emley manager still retains maximum respect for him.
“With respect to matters off-the-field, it has been clearly a challenging time for the club, but I would rather focus on John Whitehead, the previous chairman,” he added.
“He has done a fantastic job for this football club and without him I don’t think there would be an AFC Emley. He was a big reason why I came here.
“Unfortunately football being football, it has a habit of changing and all I can say really is that John has taken a personal decision to move on and in and amongst that, there was a bit of toing and throwing with me.
“The one thing I will make clear is that the priority has always been AFC Emley, whether through John, myself or the committee. We have always the best interests of the club at heart and as much as that was quite disruptive on the face of it, at no point did anybody not act in the best interests of the club. I respect that, and I respect that of John and the committee.”

FA Cup, Evo Stik and NCEL round-ups: Ossett Town and Scarborough Athletic set for replays

Steven Jeff

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Ossett Town and Scarborough Athletic will both face FA Cup replays this week after draws in their second qualifying round ties.
Jon Newby scored 15 minutes from time to earn Warrington Town a 1-1 draw at Ossett.
The former Colwyn Bay player-manager’s goal cancelled out Steven Jeff’s first half penalty.
Scarborough needed a Gary Bradshaw spot kick to secure a draw with Penrith at Queensgate.
After Matty Plummer’s own goal, Bradshaw scored a 41st minute penalty to level the scores and take the game to a Wednesday night replay.
Frickley Athletic suffered a shock defeat as Northern League outfit Marske United upset the odds to win 3-1 in South Elmsall.
In the Evo Stik Division One North, Wakefield FC salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw at Farsley AFC.
Farsley missed a catalogue of chances throughout the match and were stunned to find themselves 1-0 down after David Bordman's goal.
Lee Ellington equalised for Farsley before Matty Young put the home side ahead. Simeon Bambrook, Matty James and Robbie O’Brien all went close to sealing the match, but Wakefield levelled in the last minute when Ferdinand Annor’s header found the top corner.
Harrogate Railway boss Billy Miller was not a happy man after his side’s 2-0 home defeat to Mossley.
Mike Morris was shown a red card after just four minutes for a challenge on the edge of Railway’s box and Charlie Anderson scored from the resulting free kick.
Former Scarborough and Bradford City player Louis Horne then doubled the lead on 24 minutes and that was the end of the scoring.

Calum Ward

In the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division, Glasshoughton Welfare returned to winning ways and the league’s top scorer Calum Ward ended a two-game goal drought. Rob Hunter’s side picked up their fifth victory on their travels after beating Heanor Town 3-1.
Joel Freeston put Glasshoughton ahead and Ward ensured Welfare went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
Ward also missed a penalty, but club captain Darrell Young’s 73rd strike made sure of the win.
Kieran de Brouwer scored late-on for Heanor, but Glasshoughton held-on.
Albion Sports have hit a firm wall after Kulwinder Sandu’s men lost 5-1 Retford United which stretches their winless run to five games.
Things were looking rosy for Albion as Karl Hall scored within 60 seconds, but Retford responded with two goals each from Reece Thompson and Craig Fisher and a solitary strike from Liam Wilkin.
Tadcaster Albion, who are set to be taken over by Inspire2Independence, went top of the table after thrashing Long Eaton United 4-1.
Carl Stewart scored third and fourth goals in three games with Nick Thompson and Josh Barrett adding the extras.
Pickering Town fell further away from the top after a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Liversedge – Billy Grogan (2), Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Bradley Riley the scorers.
Bridlington Town returned to action won 2-1 at deposed leaders Thackley.
Tom Fleming and Joel Sutton’s goals won the contest for Gary Allanson’s men.
And there was finally some good news for Nostell Miners Welfare, under the new management of Darren Holmes.
Nostell beat fellow whipping boys Lincoln Moorlands Railway 2-1 to earn their first league win this season at the 13th attempt.
In Division One, favourites Shaw Lane Aquaforce are five points clear at the top after winning 1-0 at Knaresborough Town thanks to former FC Halifax Town winger Mark Whitehouse’s goal.
Eccleshill United are still in pursuit after winning 3-1 at Pontefract Collieries.
Doug Stevenson and Adam McCabe scored either side of each half.
Elsewhere, there were defeats for Yorkshire Amateur and Selby Town and Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

AFC Emley return to winning ways with demolition of Grimsby Borough

AFC Emley 7-2 Grimsby Borough

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

AFC Emley put a smile back on the faces of their supporters with a demolition of a dreadful Grimsby Borough side in the Toolstation NCEL Division One clash at the Welfare Ground – and reinstated manager Darren Hepworth praised new striker Adam Todd.

Todd was making his first start for Emley in Hepworth’s first home game since being given his job back last Sunday.

The forward, signed from Shaw Lane Aquaforce, scored the winner on debut at Teversal as a substitute two weeks ago and he followed that up with two goals in the first half.

Brighton Mugadza and highly-rated full-back Liam Schofield ensured that Emley were coasting at 4-1 at half-time.

A penalty from captain Paul Sykes and two injury-time goals from Mugadza to complete his hat-trick rounded off the rout.
The win moves Emley up to fifth in the Division One table and Hepworth told Sports Performer: “With the greatest respect to Grimsby, I don’t think they were at the races and we were so the scoreline didn’t really flatter – I know it’s a cliché.
“I’m disappointed we conceded the two goals, but we were good value for the win.”

Adam Todd

On Todd, he said: “Adam has brought experience and an eye for goal. His enthusiasm off-the-pitch aswell as off it is a massive plus for us.

“He’s a guy who I have a lot of respect for and he compliments us well. We have Mark Crossfield and Alex Hallam who has been revelation since he has come to us, along with Brighton Mugadza who has shown a lot of what he can do today.

“He was the difference in the first half and with his experience he knows which areas to get into and with the game we play we’ll always get good balls into the box.
“We work the ball into good areas and we’re always looking for good delivery. We had Ash Flynn last season and he got 42 goals so that is one thing we do at this football club is create chances. It is just a case of getting someone who can convert them.
“Toddy is definitely a good option in there. That was his first start and he’s now looking to push on.”
The focus was on Hepworth at the start of the game. The Emley manager shook hands with every supporter lined-up between the dressing room and home dugout.
It took 13 minutes for Todd to divert the attention from Hepworth. The striker was able to brush off Grimsby defender David Unsworth – not the former Premier League player – and fired the ball between the legs of goalkeeper James Swann from eight yards for the first goal.

Grimsby then simply collapsed. The mid-table side’s defence was continually all at sea, leaving Swann keeping goal like a sitting duck. Aaron Joseph had an effort palmed over before Todd broke clear.

The striker chose not to be greedy and squared for Mugadza, whose initial attempt was saved. Unfortunately for Swann, the ball rebounded off the striker’s knee and landed in the net.

By the half-hour mark the score stood at 3-1. Schofield had turned Ryan Brook’s cross into the bottom corner for Emley to increase the lead, but a spectacular Matthew Hall 30-yard strike reduced the deficit.
That was one of just three Grimsby shots on goal and it did not stop the Emley onslaught. Todd’s header went narrowly wide, but he didn’t fail to hit the target with an unchallenged turn and shot close to half-time for goal number four.

Even as injury-time finished, Swann had to tip Mugadza’s powerful strike over the crossbar.
It was clear more goals were on the way and Emley started the second half in the same manner as the first ended. Doran Jordan was denied a goal as the referee had already blown up for a handball against Stevie Wright and given the penalty.
Skipper Sykes and slammed his fourth penalty of the campaign home.
Grimsby enjoyed a brief respite and after Louis Grant’s shot was saved, Hall rounded goalkeeper Danny Armitage to score his second goal for Grimsby. That was Grimsby’s final say on the game.
The visitors were chasing shadows for most of the game and when Hepworth brought on Mark Crossfield, the striker went close to scoring twice within minutes of each attempts. Swann saved the first one before the striker saw his powerful header crash back off the crossbar.
Despite all the Emley dominance it looked like Grimsby would survive with conceding five goals. But, during second half injury-time, Emley got their deserved sixth and seventh goals.

Mugadza’s deflected shot from the edge of the box deceived Swann for the sixth goal and then within 60 seconds, the striker had completed his treble with a similar strike.

Emley captain Paul Sykes

It rounded off a memorable afternoon for Emley and put the tin lid on the recent events and captain Sykes added: “It’s nice to get the win and put some smiles on people’s faces.

“It was a very easy win. It was 7-2 and we have gifted them the two goals in that the game was a stroll. We could have scored more and we probably should have scored more.

“Their management said we had caught them on a bad day, but I don’t know. It almost had a pre-season feel to it. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it was an easy win and you don’t get many of those.”

AFC Emley: Armitage, Brook, Schofield, Ingham, S Jerome, Sykes (captain), Joseph, Mugadza, Todd (Crossfield 71), Hallam (Tunnacliffe 67), Jordan (Townend 52). Subs unused: Leech, Senior.

Grimsby Borough: Swann, Wright, Wressell, Lobandahan, Baker (Deane 54), Unsworth (Stephens 80), Newby, Magalhaes, Davis, Grant, Hall. Subs unused: Taylor.

Referee: N Haycock

Attendance: 79

Man of the match: Liam Schofield and Adam Todd (AFC Emley)

Simon Houghton: Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager's job was right job at right time

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Taking the Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager’s job was right club at the right time, according to Simon Houghton.
Houghton ended a two-season self-imposed exile as a number one to take charge at the ambitious Toolstation NCEL Division One side in July.
The Barnsley-based boss had been the assistant at Glasshoughton Welfare and Athersley Recreation since his infamous departure from his position as Pontefract Collieries manager in March 2011.
Houghton helped both teams win promotion from Division One, but it was at Pontefract where he carved out a solid reputation as he led them from the doldrums and turned them into Division One heavyweights in just two-and-a-half years.
Houghton won 56 of his 123 games in charge at Skinner Lane and after two years away from being the main man, he feels Shaw Lane was the right opportunity.
Houghton told Sports Performer: “I’ve had a couple of years out and that’s been the good thing. After what happened at Ponte, I came to Glasshoughton with Craig (Elliott) and helped out which kept my eye in. I didn’t want to lose total contact with it.
“I stepped away from being a manager because of a few personal reasons. It was the same last season because I couldn’t really commit, but things have changed and Shaw Lane was an opportunity on my doorstep that I couldn’t turn down.
“I enjoyed my time at Glasshoughton and then at Athersley Rec last season, it was absolutely brilliant there.
“But, I always knew if the right job came along (I would go back to being a manager). I had several offers, but they weren’t the right jobs. I think I had about ten. But, Shaw Lane is local to me and it fits.
“It is ten minutes from my house and in a prime location for players. We have players from Sheffield, Rotherham and it’s a good catchment area for us as it’s also two minutes off the M1.”
Houghton has enjoyed a great start to life with Shaw Lane as his team are top of the table ahead of the clash with second-placed Eccleshill United.
Aquaforce, who are run by chairman Craig Wood, won the Sheffield and County Hallamshire League title last season and Houghton admits a second consecutive promotion is the aim.
He said: “It is going well. It is an ambitious club and when I took over I didn’t have to do too much because there was a good base.
“There were some good players. They got promotion last year so the aspirations are to do well, as every chairman’s is. He’s been true to his word as everything I have asked for he has provided so the pressure is on.
“There is (pressure on me to get them promoted), but I put pressure on myself anyway and that’s what I said at the interview. I got asked whether I would be able to handle the pressure and I said I could because I want to win games.
“There’s no extra pressure really. The players know me, I’ve always won a lot of games and always been at the right of the table. I also know what big games are all about as I’ve been there and done it.
“I’m enjoying, everything is geared to do well and everything is professional.
“(The chairman) he’s got similar ambitions to Worksop Parramore, he wants to go as high as he can as fast as he can. But, we’re being sensible. Everybody thinks we have masses of money, but once as you work it out, we have 16 players to pay and you can’t stretch that money.”
Eleven goals from Ashley Flynn have helped Shaw Lane reach the summit. Flynn scored 42 goals for Darren Hepworth’s Emley last season and was a wanted man among a number of NCEL teams.
With Flynn leading the attack, Aquaforce have lost twice – to Worsbrough Bridge and AFC Emley and Houghton said: “He was of my top targets, but if I’m being honest I didn’t think we would be able to get him.
“Albion Sports were after him and I thought we wouldn’t have much of a chance because Albion Sports have got a good budget and I knew he lived out that way.
“But, I touched base with John Cyrus and he spoke to Ash. I expected someone who had scored 42 goals to be super-confident type of guy, but he’s the nicest kid I have met in my life.
“He’s top goal-scorer again and we started playing with three upfront – Danny Frost, Chris Coy and obviously Ash and it didn’t really work out. We changed that after our first defeat.
“The defeats have come at a right time against two good teams who are rivals
“A lot of questions were asked, especially after the Worsbrough defeat. On Saturday against Yorkshire Amateur it was the first time we have conceded a goal in the first half.
“One goal conceded in the first half in ten games is quite a good record and it shows we have quite a strong defence.
“We’re top of the league and I know this league and I know no matter how much budget and players you have got, you’re never going to get an easy ride. And it’s about where you finish, not where you are now.”

Ten-man Worksop Parramore hold-on to win at Glasshoughton Welfare

Calum Ward

Glasshoughton Welfare 0-2 Worksop Parramore

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title favourites Worksop Parramore had to play almost the entire second half with ten men in their win over Glasshoughton Welfare at Leeds Road.
Former Ossett Town captain James Cotterill was sent off two minutes after the break for a lunge on the league’s top goal-scorer Calum Ward.
This put Worksop’s one-goal lead, given to them by Lee Whittington, in doubt. But, Russ Eagle’s team managed to comfortably hold-on and Danny Ingram sealed a deserved victory for Worksop.
Glasshoughton had good spells in the first half, but Welfare’s threadbare team struggled as the second half wore on and assistant manager Mark Smitheringale said: “It was frustrating on the basis that I thought we put in a very good performance, particularly for the first hour of the game.
“I think we showed in the first hour something what has been missing for a few weeks, a lot of energy and a lot more strength, enthusiasm, hunger and desire to win the game.
“When the opposition goes down to ten you would like to think you can take advantage of that and get yourself back into the game. In the first half, the lad scored a good free kick, but I thought we had more half-chances than they had had at that point.
“The game was well-poised, but as often happens in these sort of situations, the opposition going to ten men didn’t help us because they re-adjusted their shape and closed the game.
“When it came down to the crunch we just slightly run out of legs and ultimately we weren’t creating enough in the final third to open them up.
“When you look at the performance, we put in a strong performance. For large spells of the game we matched them and it was pleasing we were a lot tighter at the back and I thought they were there to be beaten.
“But credit to them, the first goal was a superb free kick. The second goal was disappointing from our point of view as we lost our shape a little bit.”

Joel Freeston

The game began in lively fashion with Glasshoughton striker Joel Freeston and Worksop goalkeeper Steve Hernandez being yellow carded following a confrontation.
Then just minutes later, a number of Worksop players led by captain Danny Patterson surrounded referee Gareth Rhodes after a challenge by Welfare captain Darrell Young. Young was shown his fourth yellow card of the campaign.
The early high temperature did lower as the first half progressed and Glasshoughton enjoyed their best spell of pressure around the half-hour mark.
Ward tested the water with a low drive that flew past the post before Welfare’s best chance of the match. Freestone got in behind the Worksop defence and Cotterill did well to track back and make the tackle. The ball went loose and Ward saw the run of debutant Darol Lucas. Lucas made his dash, but upon facing Hernandez inside the penalty area, the midfielder’s effort narrowly missed the target.
Within three minutes Glasshoughton were made to rue the chance. After a foul was given for a high foot on the edge of the box, an in-direct free kick was awarded. Ex Harrogate Town and one-time Farsley Celtic target Whittington was the taker and his strike found the bottom corner – with the help of a slight deflection.
The goal was harsh on Glasshoughton, but Rob Hunter’s side were handed a lifeline straight after the break. Cotterill made the challenge on Ward and referee Rhodes dismissed the experienced defender – on the decision Smitheringale said: “Cotty has gone-in in a forceful way and I’ve seen referees sending people off for that and I’ve seen people get away with it.
“Because of the force and power he went in, he made it easy for the referee to make that decision.”
In the end, the numerical advantage did not help Glasshoughton. With Young and Liam Tuck carrying knocks and unused substitutes John Hirst and David Ward not yet fully fit, Glasshoughton’s thread bareness showed.
And when Ingram’s cross deceived goalkeeper Paul Hagreen to find the net on 60 minutes, the game was won for Worksop.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Beaston, Edwards, Tuck, Low, Donnelly, Lucas, Young (captain), Freeston, Corley (Chappell 62), C Ward. Subs unused: Hirst, D Ward.
Worksop Parramore: Hernandez, Ingram, Tootle, Patterson (captain), Cotterill, Griffiths, Johnson, Haigh, Hill (Forbes-Swindells 82), Whittington (Fletcher 65), C Ward. Subs unused: Bates, Gladwin.
Referee: G Rhodes
Attendance: 70
Man of the match: Danny Ingram (Worksop Parramore)

Glasshoughton Welfare and physio Sam Crawford raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Sam (centre) with players James Beaston (left) and Reece Chappell (right)

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Glasshoughton Welfare players will be testing their pain barriers as part of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club’s season-long fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

A number of Glasshoughton players will have their legs waxed after the home game with Athersley Recreation on December 15th.
Welfare will then be hosting a celebrity football match between stars of ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale and a team of veterans in either March or April.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust (CFT) fundraising collection buckets and leaflets will be also present at Leeds Road at all the home games.
The CFT logo is also on the club’s new home shirt.
The fundraising efforts are being co-ordinated by Glasshoughton’s first team physio Sam Crawford, whose school friend Claire Armitage, 25, passed away last year.
Claire suffered from the disease and Sam, 26, said: “My friend died last year and the 23rd October will be a year since she passed away.
“She was 25 so it is about raising awareness of the disease and to help find a cure and also about organ donation. This country has only 30% organ donators whereas 90% of the country would take an organ if they needed it.
“I think what hurt the most was that I was at a football game on the day she died so football took priority over my friend.

“It was out of the blue. She needed a double lung transplant and she never got it. She was on the organ donation waiting list and she never got it.

“It is hard knowing that if more people were organ donators, she might still be alive.”

Sam in action

To organise the celebrity football match, Sam is being helped by former Glasshoughton and current Farsley AFC player Anthony Lloyd, who recently ran the Great North Run in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Anthony’s daughter suffers from the disease and Sam added: “The club have been brilliant and the chairman Phil (Riding) has backed me on everything and the players are willing to do what I ask them to so I can’t ask for more.
“I’m hoping to raise a couple of a thousand pounds. Cystic Fibrosis Trust gets no government funding so all their income is through fundraising.”

There are almost 10,000 people living with Cystic Fibrosis in the UK and Glasshoughton chairman Phil Riding said: “Glasshoughton chairman Phil Riding said: “We’re fully in support of Sam’s fundraising efforts.

“Sam is passionate about raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and I hope our backing will help her raise a lot of money for the charity.

“The fact we have put the CFT logo on our brand new home shirts shows how committed we are to helping Sam.” 

AFC Emley chairman John Whitehead resigns after Darren Hepworth is re-instated

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
John Whitehead has resigned as chairman of AFC Emley to close the chapter on a turbulent four days in the history of the reformed club.
Mr Whitehead’s position had become untenable after his decision to sack manager Darren Hepworth on Friday afternoon without consulting the committee.
It has been confirmed that Hepworth’s dismissal had “nothing at all to do with results” and that the row centred over a disagreement on club matters at a meeting on the previous night.
Emley have also revealed this morning that Mr Whitehead, ahead of kick off at Appleby Frodingham on Saturday, also informed the staff and players that he had appointed a new manager – without involving the committee.
That proved the final straw for the committee and they spent yesterday (Sunday) reviewing the original decision and after concluding that the issues relating to Hepworth and Mr Whitehead’s disagreement were not “insurmountable”, Hepworth was re-instated as manager.
Emley have also apologised to the unknown manager who had accepted the job offer in good faith from Mr Whitehead.
The chairman has since resigned and a statement said: “AFC Emley would like to place on record their debt of gratitude to Mr Whitehead. Whatever the circumstances of the past few days, nobody can deny the strenuous efforts to which he – along with support from his family – has gone to keep football going in Emley.”
Vice-chairman Terry Higgins has been appointed the interim chairman, until an Extraordinary General Meeting can be held.
A permanent secretary will be also appointed in the near future as Mr Whitehead also served in that position.
Emley are now hoping to move on from this sorry episode and Hepworth returns to the dugout on Wednesday when his promotion-chasing team visits third-placed Bottesford Town.

Darren Hepworth re-instated as AFC Emley manager

I'm back: Darren Hepworth

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Darren Hepworth has been re-instated as the manager of AFC Emley – 48 hours after he was sacked on Friday afternoon.
The original decision, made by club chairman John Whitehead, was universally condemned by the football community and a number of the club’s committee were publicly furious.
A number of the Emley players were set to walk out in protest this week until the committee reserved their chairman’s decision.
Whilst the reasons are unknown why Hepworth was relieved of his duties, the way that the decision was taken has been a public relations disaster for Emley. If the committee had been told when Whitehead felt he needed to sack his manager then the whole situation could have resolved behind closed doors.
Surely Hepworth could not have been sacked due to results. A team prepared by him went fourth in the NCEL Division One table yesterday. And when you examine the bigger picture, Hepworth has built an infrastructure at Emley.
There is an under 19s and reserve team all running into the first team and young players were being fed in Hepworth’s side. AFC Emley is not just all about the first team and a lot of Evo Stik clubs would love an infrastructure like Emley’s.
Hopefully, after tomorrow’s (Monday) further announcement, Emley can move on and Hepworth can lead them to promotion. It is clear he has the full respect and devotion of the players – they’re right behind him and Emley need to do their talking on the pitch from Wednesday night onwards.

Farsley AFC Ladies lose to Steel City Wanderers in historic FA Women's Cup clash

Farsley AFC Ladies 0-4 Steel City Wanderers Ladies

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Farsley AFC were soundly beaten in their historic first appearance in The FA Women’s Cup at the 1st Qualifying stage at Throstle Nest.
Zoe Beresford scored early on for the visitors before second half goals from Lucy Smith and Beresford completed a deserved victory for City.
East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division outfit City were the dominant side throughout the game.
It took seven minutes for them to take the lead when the quick Beresford broke clear and managed to get a decisive touch on the ball as Farsley goalkeeper Sonia Penney was about to pounce.



Beresford blazed over a couple of good opportunities before Penney made a fantastic save from a Smith effort.
Farsley’s best period of pressure came at the end of the first half and Rob Womersley’s new-look team should have equalised. First goalkeeper Gemma Carter made a fantastic save from Jenny Halligan’s long range blast which seemed destined for the top corner.
Then from the corner kick, a header was cleared off the line and Lauren Wray, back at Farsley following a three-year break, saw goal-bound attempt stopped in the scramble.
But, Farsley struggled to create chances. Striker Wray and her replacement Meghan Pearce were isolated upfront on their own and the City defence had them well under control.
City got the killer second goal on 55 minutes through Smith. With 20 minutes left, Smith’s cross deceived Penney and found the bottom corner.



At the other end Farsley’s record appearance holder Hayley Hare went close for her side.
But, City were comfortably in control in the final minutes when Beresford scored the goal of the afternoon. Paris Wagstaff made a run down the middle of the pitch and played a great pass to Beresford who sprinted away from captain Sarah Firth.
Beresford, from a tight angle, shot for goal and found the top corner to round off a memorable victory for the Sheffield-based side.
Farsley AFC: Sonia Penney, Colette Haslam, Beccy Singer (Helen Barrett 58), Tora Oetgen, Sarah Firth (captain), Vicky Mladenovich, Lauren Wray (Meghan Pearce 55), Hayley Hare (Jade Elsworth 83), Millie West, Jenny Halligan, Helen Gresty. Subs unused: Laura Duke, Mel Brown.
Steel City Wanderers: Gemma Carter, Sam Hale (Jasmine Summers 55), Leanne Duke, Sarah Smith (Clare Keats 73), Claire Armishaw, Zoe Beresford, Lucy Smith, Maria Burns, Rachel Hale, Paris Wagstaff, Cheryl Mawhood.
Referee: Beverley Horsfield

Evo Stik round-up: Scarborough Athletic lose again

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Scarborough Athletic’s dreadful start to life in the Evo Stik Division One South continued as last year’s runners-up were 3-1 winners at Queensgate after scoring two late goals.
It was the Seadog’s third straight league loss and Rudy Funk’s side have only won once in the Evo Stik since being promoted.
Goalkeeper Jason White conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time which Cameron Stewart fired home.
Funk then threw on his trump card – Ryan Blott. Last season’s top scorer and fans favourite Blott called on Funk to give him more game-time earlier this week and he immediately slotting home the equaliser.
But, minutes before Blott’s goal, Scarborough lost defender Paul Foot as the Hull-based Matt McGrath, who is a popular and usually lenient official, showed him a second yellow card.
Despite being down to ten men, the game was there to be won. Tyler Collishaw wasted one chance before committing a foul to hand Coalville a second penalty with just minutes remaining.
Stewart slammed his second penalty into the net and almost instantly Anthony Carney rounded off a Coalville victory. Scarborough have the chance to bounce back on Tuesday night at Brigg Town before Saturday’s historic FA Cup second qualifying round clash with Penrith.
In the Evo Stik Division One North, Farsley AFC are back on track after a winless three-game run as Neil Parsley’s men won 4-0 at New Mills.
Club captain Robbie O’Brien gave Farsley a first half lead and then in-form striker Aiden Savory doubled the score on the hour.
It was then left to substitute Matty James and Lee Ellington to round off a brilliant afternoon for the Villagers.

Fernando Moke

Buoyed by the FA Cup victory at Bamber Bridge, Craig Elliott’s Ossett Town recorded a second consecutive league victory – led by a remarkable four goal haul from Fernando Moke. Town won 5-2 at Padiham.
After conceding in the first minute, Moke quickly levelled for Town.
Padiham went ahead again on 15 minutes, but Steven Jeff equalised before half-time.
Moke, who has been in-and-out of Elliott’s team so far this season and rejected by Farsley in the summer, scored three more to complete the rout.
Harrogate Railway were also celebrating after holding title favourites Darlington 1883 to a 0-0 draw away from home.
Wakefield FC could not record back-to-back wins under manager Paul Lines as the Bears went down 7-0 at home to Warrington Town.
After Scott Metcalfe had opened the scoring, Wakefield midfielder John Douglas was red carded for dissent and the dismissal opened the floodgates.
Ben Wharton then scored twice to give Warrington a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead.
Phil Davies, Jon Newby and Phillip Mooney got the score to 6-0 before Wharton got his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the last minute.
Ossett Albion were beaten 2-1 by Clitheroe – Adam Muller got Albion’s goal.
In the Premier Division, Frickley Athletic drew 0-0 at Matlock Town.

Glasshoughton Welfare crash out of FA Vase to Armthorpe Welfare

Jay Rollins after scoring his first goal

Glasshoughton Welfare 1-4 Armthorpe Welfare

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Frustrated Glasshoughton boss Rob Hunter described his team’s FA Vase second-qualifying defeat to Armthorpe as the worst performance so far this season.
Jay Rollins scored twice inside three minutes to give Armthorpe a 2-0 half-time lead at Leeds Road as Glasshoughton failed to put their mark on the game.
A Joel Freeston header with 15 minutes left gave Glasshoughton hope, but Kieron Benson quickly scored to restore the two-goal advantage. And with 84 minutes on the clock, Rollins completed a deserved hat-trick and round off Armthorpe’s victory.
Former Askern Villa boss Brian Johnston’s men are now in Monday’s draw for the third-qualifying round and Hunter had no complaints.

“That is the worst we have played this season and it is bitterly disappointing,” he said.
“Too many players didn’t turn up on the day and I think at this level players have to be well-organised and have the right attitude before the game. I think too many players went into the game half-hearted and without the right attitude.
“We deservedly got beat 4-1. We have had a 20 minute spell where we pulled a goal back and looked like we were going to get another. But, on the day, they were better than us.
“The first half performance, I would go so far to say, was the worst 45 minutes I have been involved in since I came to the club. We looked a shambles and in defence and midfield we didn’t work hard enough.
“Both of their (first half) goals were the same type of goal where we have had our centre-half isolated and the full-back were too square. The other centre-half hasn’t been close enough to get round. The ball went in the air and they reacted quicker than us.
“It’s very frustrating, but let’s put it into context. We have had such a tough start (due to playing the first eight league games away from home due to cricket) and we had some players missing today. We have travelled and travelled and had four wins and a draw from eight league games and that’s respectable. But it has taken its toll.”

Glasshoughton were extremely poor in the first half and conceded the first sloppy goal after just a quarter of an hour on the clock. Centre-halves Alex Low and Matt Donnelly failed to deal with the long ball and Rollins nipped in to beat goalkeeper Paul Hagreen from the edge of the box with a powerful shot.
Welfare then pressed the self-destruct button. Ex Knaresborough Town man Donnelly’s wild clearance came back off his own player and gave Rollins a chance to run at goal. Donnelly tracked back, but Rollins was able to turn and slot the ball past Hagreen.
Rollins was proving to be a real thorn in Glasshoughton’s side and had a couple more chance to score a first-half hat-trick. All Glasshoughton could manage was a long range Russell Headley attempt. Leading scorer Calum Ward looked isolated upfront and Glasshoughton definitely missed the physical presence of Rob Pell.
After surviving conceding a third-goal, Glasshoughton were a little better in the second half. Freeston was the man having most of the chances and he wasted two fantastic opportunities to score – the first being a run which ended with a save from goalkeeper Biggs.

Joel Freeston scores for Glasshoughton

The striker then blazed over from close range when it seemed easier to score. Freeston did make amends as he headed his captain Darrell Young’s free kick past William Biggs to suddenly drag Glasshoughton back into the game.
A comeback seemed inevitable, but Armthorpe were quick to ensure one was not forthcoming. Benson rose to beat Hagreen with a header and that was the tie won.
The game was lost for Glasshoughton, but there was still time for Rollins to outmuscle Low and then get round Hagreen before tapping the ball into the empty net.
Apart from the defeat, the other blow for Glasshoughton were the injuries to Darrell Young, Russell Headley and Liam Tuck who join David Ward, Reece Chappell and John Hirst as doubts for Tuesday’s home league game with Worksop Parramore.
Manager Hunter does have new signing Darol Lucas, who replaces the departed Dan Middleton, available
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Beaston, Edwards, Tuck, Low, Donnelly, McGrory (Corley 60), Young (captain), C Ward, Headley (Chappell 89), Freeston. Subs unused: Hirst, D Ward.
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Tunney, Garner, Smith, Morley, Johnston, Taylor, Mirfin, Rollins (Boyd 86), Preston (Benson HT), Buck (Ryan 80). Subs unused: Davies, Kurde.
Referee: S Wade
Man of the match: Jay Rollins (Armthorpe Welfare)

Rob Hunter shocked by early managerial changes

Darren Hepworth

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Glasshoughton Welfare manager Rob Hunter admits he is astounded by the number of managerial changes, despite the season being only one month old.
Highly-rated AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth was sensationally sacked on Friday afternoon, even though the reformed club were seventh in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table.
Hepworth joined axed Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick on the list of managerial departures and Hunter said: “In terms of Emley I watched them in pre-season against Harrogate Railway and I thought they were a well-organised team and were going to do well in that league.
“They weren’t far off the pace up to yesterday and they have won today. We don’t know the reason why he has been sacked, but I think if he has been sacked for results then that’s a shocker.
“It is a great club with great facilities. They have a good pitch and a good set of committee members and supporters and to sack your manager so soon into the season is not healthy for football.
“Steve Kittrick’s exit was a shock because Guiseley have done ever so well over the last couple of years.
“They have had a promotion and made the play-offs and they are not a fashionably successful club and I think they have been fighting above their weight for a while in my mind.
“Steve has done very well and to get the sack after six games, I think the Guiseley chairman and committee have messed up. If they didn’t think he was the right person to manage the club then they should have the decision in the summer.
“I believe they should have shown a little more faith in him.”

Steve Kittrick

In the NCEL, after only a month, there has been four manager departures and Hunter believes clubs need to more patient.
“Two managers have gone already and not only managers because there has been a massive turnover of players at different clubs,” he said.
“We’re lost two players and are looking to bring more in. But, the Emley manager has gone and so has the Guiseley manager. There has been a change at Nostell, Maltby and at Winterton and it is unbelievable how clubs set themselves up at the end of the season for the following year.
“The players come in during pre-season and then eight games in to the season it all falls apart and they want a change. The league hasn’t settled down yet, it is a 50-game season with the cups and we’re only 15 or 20% into the season. To have so many changes so early on is terrible.
“If these managers have been sacked at this stage in the season then you have to blame the clubs for not getting it right in pre-season.”
On his team front, Hunter has confirmed the departure of midfielder Dan Middleton, but announced the signing Darol Lucas.
He said: “I’ve got to go out there and try to bring some players in who are going add a bit more strength and a little more enthusiasm than we have at the moment.
“I have signed Darol Lucas on today. He played at Ossett Albion last year and had been training with Farsley. He’s the type of midfield player who is very busy and gets around the pitch well.
“He is a very fit lad and a good character for us so I’m looking forward to having him in the squad on Tuesday against Worksop.”

Darren Hepworth exit from AFC Emley is a huge shock

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
They say nothing should surprise you in football, but there are things that still do.
Darren Hepworth’s shock departure from AFC Emley this afternoon follows on from Steve Kittrick’s sacking from his position as Guiseley boss last week.
The difference between the two is that Kittrick’s exit had been anticipated since May, the only surprise being the timing being six games into the new season – with Hepworth, his ‘parting of the ways’ is totally out of the left-field.
The reaction from his players on Twitter tells its own story, this was an announcement no-one was expecting.
Since the popular Hepworth took the job permanent following Darren Bland’s departure, Emley have made strides as a club and not just as a first team.

The club’s under 19s and Development Squad are run in tandem with the first team and a number of players have made the step-up to the Northern Counties East League Division One.
In the league, Hepworth’s team have broken records. Emley reached the FA Vase fourth round last season and the third round win at Barnoldswick Town is hailed as one of the best wins in the club’s reformed history.
Last season Emley finished a record seventh with Ash Flynn scoring 42 goals. Hepworth lost Flynn in the summer to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, but was still planning an assault on promotion – something he has not been given the proper opportunity to do.
His team had made a steady start. The incredible FA Cup victory over Wigan will live long in the memory and after recently overcoming a difficult three games which saw three defeats and no-goals, Emley were back on track.
Hepworth needed a goal-scorer and he signed Adam Todd from Shaw Lane and he scored on his debut in the 2-1 win at Teversal – a game which has turned out to be Hepworth last match in charge.

That was the eighth game of the campaign and Hepworth leaves with Emley in seventh and seven points off leaders Eccleshill United and two points behind third-place with a game in hand – hardly a bad start to the season.
He has not done a lot wrong in two and a half years in charge – 73 wins in 138 games tells its own story.
Emley have let a very passionate and caring manager go and one that will probably go and achieve success at another club. His successor, who Emley hope to have in place by next Saturday, has a hard act to follow.

Interview: Steve Jeff enjoying life at Ossett Town

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Ossett Town left-back Steve Jeff reckons there is a big difference between the Evo Stik Division One North and the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
Penalty-kick expert Jeff left NCEL Premier outfit Tadcaster Albion in the summer after scoring 17 goals in Paul Marshall’s side that finished in sixth-place.
But, after Ossett boss Craig Elliott wanted to sign him in the summer, Jeff made the move and after nine games for Town, Jeff said: “It is difficult, but the main thing is I am enjoying.
“It is definitely a step-up as all the teams we have played are very good.
“It is the consistency of the teams and how good they all are (that makes it different from the NCEL).
“There isn’t an easy game, whereas in the NCEL you might get the odd four or five games where you turn up and not play well, but it is quite easy.
“Here at Ossett, every game has been a massive test. I feel I’m doing alright and the team are doing ok. I’ve scored a few goals and set-up a few goals.”

Jeff had been a key player in Marshall’s team had gone from NCEL Division One champions to Premier Division hot-shots over three seasons and he admits it was a difficult decision to leave 2Inspire Park.
“It was a tricky one because I had been at Tadcaster a while and I believed that we had the squad there to win the NCEL, but Ossett were offering me something Tadcaster couldn’t,” he said.
“That was to play at a higher level – something I have always wanted to do. Craig was very forthcoming about his plans for the season – what he wanted the team to do and what he wanted me to do.
“That convinced me to come and give it a crack. It was an out of the blue call I got from Craig. But, my friend Ryan Qualter came mid-season last year and he told me about how much he was enjoying it so when the call came, I said I’d give it a go.”

And while all the focus is on Ossett, Jeff keeps an eye on Tadcaster’s progress and believes even though chairman Rob Northfield left in the summer, Albion can still challenge.
“It is unfortunate because all the lads got on well with Rob as he was a very vocal chairman who outlined what he wanted the team to do,” he said.
“Since he has gone, I keep looking at the results and they seem to be winning games. I keep in contact with the manager and coaches and players there and they have got a good set of lads there so I’m sure they’ll do well.”

Garforth Town are "going in right direction" on and off-the-pitch

Brian Close (left) and Graham Nicholas

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Chairman Brian Close believes Garforth Town are “going in the right direction” on and off-the-pitch at Wheatley Park.
In the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division, head coach Graham Nicholas and his team have defied all predictions to sit in fifth-place after 11 games.
The Miners have also scored 31 goals and Close said: “I’m really pleased with Graham.
“He was really after a chance to get into management and we gave him that opportunity and he has fulfilled everything I thought he would.
“He has been very professional, he knows his players and where he needs to improve. He has already improved his squad in certain positions.
“Realistically we couldn’t have expected to have been doing so well, considering we started from scratch. He and the team have been exceeding expectations. We’re definitely higher in the league than I thought we would be at this stage in the season.
“I think nearly game this season has been exciting and the fact that we are the league’s top goal-scorers shows this. I think everyone is enjoying the season.”
Off-the-pitch, Garforth have draught back on in the bar and have started holding functions for local residents, while the five-a-side courts are being booked out.
That is two achievements that Close and his management team have made since taking charge of the club in June on behalf of Oxfordshire-based owner Rupert Lowe, the former Southampton chairman.
And Close said: “Rupert Lowe came up about a month ago to meet with Leeds City Council, who are the landlords, and the local councillor Mark Dobson.
“Everyone went away happy from that meeting and very supportive of what we are trying to achieve. It was the first time I have met Rupert and he seems very supportive about everything.
“He is more than happy with the way things are going as he can see the progress that we have made in such a short time.”
He added: “We have started to see an increase in attendances, I’ve seen people at games who I haven’t seen for years,” he said.
“It is what we need to help with the revenue. We’re reasonably pleased with how it is going (off-the-pitch) considering we started from scratch. There is always things we need to spend money on and there is definitely certain revenue streams we need to improve on.
“We could do with more sponsorship, but it has started to move in the right direction. It does help that we don’t pay the players anything other than expenses.”

Mark Bower has right attributes to manage - former Guiseley assistant boss Mark Ellis

Mark Bower replaced Steve Kittrick (left) last week

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Former Guiseley assistant manager Mark Ellis believes Mark Bower has the right attributes to manage the Lions, if he is given the job on a permanent basis.

Bower, a former captain of Bradford City, currently holds the caretaker role following the sacking of Steve Kittrick last week and Ellis sees a future manager in him.
“He has been there a while now and although I don’t know him that well, I know lads who know him and they all say he is a good lad,” he said.
“I know they haven’t had the best of starts, but I hope he does well. (Going into management) is something I think he wants to do.
“I’ve only seen Guiseley play once this season, against Bradford City, and wasn’t totally impressed. Bradford won at a canter really. I don’t know whether they have added to their squad since, but they are obviously struggling a little bit at the moment.

“I’m sure Mark will do alright if he is given time. With what I know and with him being a captain, he’ll have good leadership skills. It is like the lad (Lee Duxbury) we have at Eccleshill, he has been a captain all over the place and he’s doing a great job. If he’s in the same mould as him, he’ll do well if he gets the chance.”

Ellis, who played for Bradford and Halifax during his playing career, served as Terry Dolan’s assistant before taking charge of three games after Dolan departed in November 2007.

He won two and lost one of the three matches as caretaker boss – holding the fort until then Ossett Town manager Steve Kittrick was appointed.

Kittrick went onto lead Guiseley to unprecedented heights and Ellis, now the director of football at the Richmond International Academic Soccer Academy, was surprised by his departure.

“I was quite shocked really because he had been there so long and it is so early in the season,” he said.

“But, they want success and they have been unlucky in the last three seasons so they probably thought it was time for a change. It happens as every manager has a temporary job, eventually it is going to come to an end.

“He (Kittrick) did well because he got them promotion. I know the owners quite well and I know they are pretty ambitious to go higher. Even though the budget has been cut, they still obviously believe they can do it with what is available now.”

Garforth Town denied by fantastic display from Liversedge goalkeeper Jamie Abbott

Logan McDaniel

Garforth Town 2-2 Liversedge

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Garforth Town head coach Graham Nicholas praised Liversedge goalkeeper Jamie Abbott after his magnificent display denied the Miners all three points in the fairly one-sided Toolstation NCEL Premier Division clash.
Abbott was in exceptional form as Garforth, who hit seven past Winterton on Saturday, threw the kitchen sink at him throughout the match.
After Abbott kept Garforth at bay in the opening half-hour, Gibril Bojang scored a wonder-goal to put Liversedge ahead until Stephen Simpson equalised.
American utility man Logan McDaniel scored in the second half as Garforth took the lead, but as the clock hit 90 minutes, James Riordan snatched an unlikely point for the away side.
Liversedge only created a few chances on the night and Nicholas said: “It is two points dropped tonight.
“Luck was with them and it was a fantastic goalkeeping display (from Abbott. We had the chances, but we didn’t have the finishing touches so we will have to work on it in training.
“He (Abbott) was fantastic. He was very alert and very quick off his line. He made things very difficult because he threw his body in front of everything tonight.

“But, we have to be more clinical in front of goal because the amount of chances we had, it has just not been our night. I think on occasions when the shooting opportunity has come up, rather than take the shot I think we sometimes took the reverse move and played someone else in and tried to walk it in.

“When we went 2-1 up I thought ‘that’s it, there is no way back for them’ because defensively we looked solid at the back and well-organised. It (the match) was ours to take and it’s disappointing.”

James Riordan (right)

Liversedge, under the control of Sean Regan and former Wakefield FC coach John Pickup due to the absence of manager Eric Gilchrist, struggled to cope with Garforth’s fierce attack, despite the experience of centre-halves Riordan and Wes Milnes.
Milnes was playing his second game for Liversedge since leaving Frickley Athletic by mutual consent and he gave some much-needed leadership to the back four. But, the main problem for Liversedge was down the left as C J Lyle was causing mayhem for right-back Alastair Butters.
Inside the opening 30 seconds, Lyle had gone down the left-wing and crossed for Simpson, who fired wide from close range.
Garforth should have scored a few times in the next 30 minutes. Lyle produced two saves out of Abbott, while Simpson went close again and McDaniel blazed over with the goal gaping.
And against the run of play, Garforth were then made to pay for the missed chances. Bojang created a bit of room 25-yards from goal and curled a tremendous strike into the top corner – goalkeeper Karl Martens was helpless to stop the effort.
The Miners responded quickly when Abbott made his only mistake of the night. The Liversedge stopper spilled a cross and Simpson was on hand to score from the rebound.

Nick Black

Garforth continued attacking with intent in the second half and got their deserved second goal on 64 minutes. McDaniel broke through and neatly lobbed the onrushing Abbott and although Riordan managed to clear the ball, the assistant referee flagged to say that it had already crossed the line.

Garforth had opportunities to kill the game. Simpson had one shot saved and Saturday's hat-trick hero Nick Black saw a couple of attempts flash wide of the post.

And the wasted chances came back to haunt Garforth. After conceding a free kick 30 yards from goal, Riordan struck it with power and the ball took a huge deflection which took it past Martens.

As there was delay early on in the second half as assistant referee Martin Saville hurt his back after crashing into the railings which caused him to collapse to the ground, five minutes of injury-time followed.

That gave Garforth enough time to try and find a dramatic winner and stand-in captain Andy Hawksworth almost nicked Garforth the win in the closing seconds with a close range header, but Abbott stood firm with a comfortable save.

Garforth Town: Martens, Stohrer, Misambu, L Smith, Hawksworth, Boland (Cartman HT), Simpson, Rupere, Black, Lyle, McDaniel (Greenhalgh 86). Subs unused: Booker, Helliwell, D Smith.

Liversedge: Abbott, Butters, Haigh, Wood, Milnes, Riordan, Hitch, Thompson (Swallow 52 (Bugg 77), Johnston (Grogan 57), Riley, Bojang.

Referee: J Price (Bradford)

Attendance: 77

Man of the match: Jamie Abbott (Liversedge)