Staveley Miners Welfare welcomed Knaresborough Town to the Elastic FM Community Stadium as they aimed to continue their strong start to 2022 when they took on 16th in the
NCEL Premier Division.
Joint managers Pat Lindley and Jon Froggatt made just one change to their side from the one that lost the previous Saturday away at Barton Town. Sam Kay dropped to the bench as Will Eades made a long awaited return from injury to the Trojans starting line-up.
Staveley started the stronger of the two sides as shades of the Trojan style of football that saw them top of the league two years ago started to creep back into the side.
It was, however, the visitors who got the first goal of the game, Thomas Dugdale's ball across the face of goal to Sean Hunter who made no mistake in getting his 9th league goal of the season.
From this moment, Staveley didn't look back, Cody Prior and Ewan Catt combining well before Catt's ball to the back post was met by Declan Howe who converted from close range.
Staveley were forced into an early change, the decision to start Will Eades were a late one and he were forced off with an injury that Trojan fans will be hoping won't keep him sidelined for too long.
In his absence, his side continued to go from strength to strength, Prior's effort took a block and as it looked destined to go into the arms of Knaresborough keeper, Jamie Hassall, Howe ran in and with his heel, chipped the ball over Hassall to double his tally for the day.
Staveley started the second half similar to how they ended the first, Howe this time turning provider as he ran through on goal and squared the ball across to Catt who made good on his opportunity to extend his sides lead.
As the game reached the hour mark, Staveley had resorted to knocking the ball over the top of the visitors defence with the intention of getting Howe a much deserved hat-trick and with only the
keeper to beat the majority of the ground would have expected it to happen.
His effort was saved by Hassall but the rebound bounced off Simon Swales who couldn't do anything except put it in the back of his own goal to make 4.
Knaresborough's tough afternoon wasn't done there, substitute Tyler Dunn held the ball up before feeding through Rieves Boocock who slotted it home past Hassall.
This win moves the Trojans upto 6th place in the NCEL Premier Division, Knaresborough remain in 16th. Up next for Staveley is a mid-week home game against Worsbrough Bridge Athletic in the NCEL League Cup Third Round on Wednesday.
Line-up; Alberry, Bell, Blakeley, Oglesby, Eades (Kay), Langton, Dillingham, Prior, Howe, Catt (Dunn), Boocok (Grant).
Subs not used; Thompson, Claxton.
Man of the match - Declan Howe.
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