We all stand together: SHIREBROOK GO SOUTH

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 WAKEFIELD AFC 0

NCEFL 1 AT LANGWITH ROAD

16 MARCH 2024 --- 3PM

SHIREBROOK TOWN V WAKEFIELD AFC OPENING HOME GOAL CELEBRATIONS

The signing of Danny South may just be the icing on the cake that Shirebrook needed to get them an end of season that the club so desire to raise this sleeping giant and send it on a journey to the levels the town would love to see with a promotion. South signed from Belper Town a few days before this table topping game and it raised a few eyebrows but the player was honest and said he had to think about his family and just couldn't turn the offer down and in fairness Nailers fans have been warm in their praise and love of his efforts for the NPL side.

Well after this victory thanks to a goal in each half which saw them also play with ten men for half of the second forty five minutes it was a superb team performance but you just could not take away the presence of South. From before the game to kick off and beyond the final whistle he cajoled and encouraged his colleagues while denying Wakefield a way through and making a strong physical presence in the opposition box for any set pieces or corners he just looks the piece of the jigsaw that can complete the promotion push.

EARLY ENCOURAGEMENT FROM NEW BOY SOUTH

As ever the usual start even after a less rainy weekend there was still a fair few games at this level and step 7 that fell to the p-p. A cheeky you know what over to Shirebrook saw a pre match visit to The Coop for a healthy pasty and confectionery.

On arrival at Langwith Road a good following from West Yorkshire swelled the crowd to well over 200 and with the locals in good voice it was to be a challenging atmosphere for the players and match officials.

CARLTON CARTY ON THE ATTACK

My memories of a previous Wakefield side were from visiting a former ground at the site of Wakefield rugby union club but overall the town for some reason, I guess rugby league, as struggled to support a football side of course even now they play in the under development ground of Wakefield Trinity.

Shirebrook arrive at this game after a superb 3-0 away win at league leaders Beverley Town.

WAKEFIELD FLYING HIGH TO CLEAR

Suitably fed with some low calorie food kick off approached as did frustratingly some pre match rain although by the time of kick off it had just about left us alone and the umbrella could be placed to one side thankfully.

NAT WATSON SETS OFF

As expected the game went off at a good old pace and proving to be a physical encounter which encouragingly Shirebrook were having the better of. Referee Nunn was blowing up regularly and after a couple of early cautions and I think had made the call that this game was not going to flow to freely or it could be harder to control.

The game looked like Shirebrook would probably not gain a first half advantage but all that changed on 34 minutes with a lovely move that saw Nat Watson power on from the half way line he fed Anthony Dwyer who slipped the ball to Carlton Carty to fire home. Cue some wild celebration and you could see how much that breakthrough goal meant to the home side.

NAT WATSON SETTING UP THE OPENING GOAL

Just before half time Shirebrook survived what looked a fair call for a penalty when Lewis Stephens appeared to be pushed in the box.

The first half saw four bookings but we arrived at the break with Shirebrook one goal to the good.

REFS BLOWN FOR A FOUL........NO

The second half would be a tense affair with both sides out eager to get underway the visitors made two substitutions in an attempt to get some threat at the business end.

Shirebrook had a great chance to double their lead three minutes in when they were awarded a penalty but visiting keeper Ryan Musselwhite pulled off the save to deny Town.

TO ME TO YOU

Shirebrook didn't have to wait to long to double their lead when on 59 minutes a superb deep cross off the right from Igor Mlynarski found Brad McGowan who headed home to create that much required comfort zone.

DANNY SOUTH SEES OFF ANOTHER WAKEFIELD THREAT

That buffer zone was certainly needed with twenty three minutes remaining when Nat Watson studs caught Cameron Barnett and referee Nunn produced a red card for the Shirebrook man as the visiting player lay injured and requiring attention from the physio.

This could have opened up the game but Shirebrook doubled down and continued to work hard closing down and denying Wakefield who probably only had one effort of note on target in the whole 90 minutes so dominant was the home defence.

BRAD MCGOWAN MAKES IT 2-0

The remaining time was seen out fairly comfortably and when Referee Nunn called time on the proceedings there was an undoubted joy that excellent victories this week and last week against two of their closest rivals had combined to send Shirebrook back to the top of the table.

RED CARD FOR NAT WATSON

The final celebrations and the support from the locals was great to see for the players and manager Stephen Bodle and his team. They now march on to Parkgate away on Tuesday who have games in hand and if they pull enough wins in would make it difficult but they have to get those points and on this showing Shirebrook are in rich form.