Ollerton Dig Deep To See Off Nostell

Report by William Lavelle.

In what was one of a handful of games to survive the weather in the Northern Counties East League, Ollerton Town secured a hard fought 2-0 victory away at Nostell Miners Welfare on Saturday afternoon.
Despite finishing bottom of the table last season, Nostell survived to fight another day and under new management this campaign, have enjoyed more success, currently sitting in the 18th place. Ollerton went into the game in 16th and though both teams are seemingly safe of relegation, they were looking for a win that could potentially kick start a strong end to the season.
Ollerton went into the break ahead thanks to defender Liam Cooper's first goal for the club before top scorer Gav King finished the game off in the 72nd minute with a typically composed finish. The game could have easily gone a different way however as Nostell put Ollerton under some strong pressure at times and missed a penalty early in the second half.
The Town endured a positive start to the game and almost took an early lead as Sean Dickinson slipped a ball in towards Eden Homer but the midfielders effort was straight at Nostell keeper Shaun Penn.
Defender Luke Pickering then headed just wide from the proceeding corner as Ollerton continued to looked threatening early on.
Nostell began to grow into the game with Jack Owen seeing an effort correctly ruled out for offside before Owen threatened again as he was able to get on the end of a Nostell free kick but Ollerton 'keeper Joey McCormack was equal to his effort from point blank range.
Neither team had been able to take control of the game during a hectic, end-to-end opening 15 minutes. Ollerton's prolific striker Gav King came close to opening the scoring but his long range free kick was clawed out of the top left corner by Penn.
A high tempo opening 15 minutes was finally rewarded with the goal it deserved as Liam Cooper opened the scoring with his first Ollerton goal. Bingham’s in-swinging corner was flicked on by King at the front post and Cooper was able to easily head home to give Ollerton a one goal advantage.
Ollerton had a chance to extend their lead just after the opener as Bingham won the ball high up the pitch and cut it back to his strike partner King but his tame effort was pushed away by Penn.
Nostell then went on to have their best period of the game towards the end of the first half with Jack Owen and Adam Knight looking to be the main danger men for Nostell. Owen cut inside from the left wing and drove an effort to the far post but was once again he came out second best against McCormack.
Ollerton ended the half trying to weather the Nostell storm and their offensive three man midfield looked to be overran at times. Adam Knight had a chance to give Nostell what would’ve been a deserved equaliser, but he dragged his left footed shot past the far post as Ollerton were able to survive the late onslaught until half time.
Dave Winter's side had started the second half in a more positive manner but this encouraging start was marred by a controversial penalty decision which was questioned by both sets of supporters. It appeared that Homer had cleanly won the ball just inside the Ollerton area but referee Neil Munday had other ideas, going with the shouts of the home players and pointing to the spot.
Thankfully the decision didn't cost Ollerton as McCormack, who was playing through illness all game, got down to save Jack Owen's weak effort from twelve yards before reacting quickest to throw his body in the way of the rebound, preserving Ollerton's one goal lead.
The game struggled to regain any form of rhythm after the penalty controversy with constant stoppages for alleged fouls which ruined the flow of the game. Nostell were denied a penalty which looked to more reasonable than the penalty awarded against Ollerton with the man in the middle struggling to keep control of the game.
Ollerton were able to effectively work off the counter for the remainder of the second half and in the 72nd minute, were finally able to kill off what had been a very competitive affair as King converted for his 21st of the season. A long ball forward was flicked on by Dickinson towards King, who took on his man and calmly slotted between Penn’s legs.
The win means Ollerton have done the double over Nostell for the second season in a row now but this was certainly more of a battle than any of the previous fixtures. The Town were by no means at their best but they deserve credit for standing firm and working hard for each other to see out the victory that saw them move back to 15th place in the Division One table.