Knaresborough Town thrash Frickley Athletic to end worst run as a Northern Counties East League club
Knaresborough Town ended their worst run of form as a Northern Counties East League club in some style on Saturday afternoon.
After failing to win any of their previous 10 league matches, Simon Parkes’ men thrashed Frickley Athletic 6-0 at Manse Lane to record their first victory since they overcame the same opposition back in early September.
Despite the fact that they had not played in three weeks due to postponements, Boro were quick to settle, but wasted several chances in the first half an hour, a period which saw Frickley also threaten on a couple of occasions.
Luke Stewart was first to fire wide, closely followed by Jack Dyche after Slater Barnes had created the opening.
Barnes himself saw an effort kept out by Athletic goalkeeper Louis Baker, who then dropped a cross at the feet of Dyche, but recovered in time to deny him on the rebound.
Lewis Knight hit wide from Dyche’s pass, before the latter directed a snap-shot against the outside of the post.
Lucas Robinson then went on a fine run for Frickley, but his strike flew narrowly wide, while Thomas Albghohuro hammered a free-kick wide.
In between, Barnes fired wide and was denied by Baker when clear through on goal, but when the move was repeated in the 33rd minute, the Boro winger slammed home Sam Barker’s through-ball to break the deadlock.
Barker then saw a weak effort saved before Barnes ran clear and passed inside to Dyche, who teed up Lewis Knight to slot home his first goal for the club.
That made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, though there was still time for Barnes to add a third before the interval when he tapped home a centre from Knight.
In added time, James Beaston forced an excellent save from Baker, but Knaresborough were not to be denied after the break.
Barker and Dyche both drew saves from Baker before the floodgates opened when Will Lenehan headed in number four from Sam Leverett's 76th-minute corner.
Just moments later, Barnes tapped home to complete his hat-trick after Ben Gelder’s effort hit the top of the cross-bar.
Barnes then took the score-line in the 80th minute to six as he converted Leverett’s cross.
And the hosts' margin of victory could very easily have been much greater, with Barker firing wide having broken clear, before Barnes and Gelder tested the over-worked Baker again during the closing stages.
Saturday's result elevates Knaresborough to 13th place in the NCEL Premier Division standings ahead of this weekend’s trip to Albion Sports (3pm).