Boro dig deep to sink Bridge

Steve Bromley in action at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic. Picture: Craig Dinsdale

Paul Stansfield’s side remain top of the NCEL Division One standings as a result of their 20th league success in 25 outings, leading second-placed Eccleshill United by a point, but with two games in hand.

Boro began Saturday’s encounter with some frantic football and, after Ben Cohen had fired over, Brad Walker headed wide from close range as Will Lenehan headed on a Conor Donoghue free-kick.

Worsbrough earned themselves a few corners as Knaresborough failed to hold on to the ball for periods of the half but then Walker fired wide at the other end as the visitors rallied.

Cohen saw a great curling shot tipped over by Bridge stopper Joshua Diggles, but it took until the first minute of added-time before Knaresborough managed to get their noses in front.

Dan Thirkell sent in a free-kick and Lenehan headed back into the danger area where Gregg Anderson helped on for Walker to slam home at the far post to the delight of his team-mates.

A more settled approach, combined with the advantage of playing uphill towards the drier area of the pitch aided Town in the second period.

Shortly after the resumption, Anderson was narrowly wide when another free-kick from Thirkell was headed on by Lenehan and Rob Youhill’s shot was blocked.

A great chance for Worsbrough was headed wide by Jack Mawson after they won a free-kick of their own on the left flank, but that near-miss only served to spur Knaresborough into action.

Walker saw a strike saved and Thirkell shot wide following up before Walker was sent clear on goal, only to rush his effort the wrong side of the post.

The resulting goal-kick was won by Lenehan, who nodded forward for Steve Bromley to head on for Walker to feed in Youhill, who ran through to score under Diggles’ body in the 60th minute.

Three minutes later, Youhill fired in a great cross and Ben Cohen had an easy finish at the far post to make it 3-0.

Youhill then had another powerful shot strike the left upright and Bromley saw his follow-up saved before Walker had a further effort kept out by Diggles as Knaresborough held strong for the final period.