NCEL: Knaresborough Town wrap up season with bore draw

Fatlum Ibrahimi on the ball for Knaresborough Town against AFC Mansfield, who have secured promotion to the Premier Division (Photo: Craig Dinsdale)

Knaresborough Town ended the season with a goal-less draw with play-off side, AFC Emley, at Manse Lane to illustrate that Knaresborough Town was very close to the standard required to reach the next level.

Emley had an early shot blocked and then Jordan Townend fired wide but the half had very few real opportunities although Knaresborough’s first break came from Brad Walker who fired wide from a George Eustance through ball just before the break.

Another through ball, this time from Ben Parkes, sent Walker away again, but again he was narrowly wide.

Sam Jerome had a great chance for Emley as he ran through to force a save from Jack Rushworth before placing the ball wide of the post after the rebound.

Mike Morris headed over from a Eustance free kick and Walker’s shot was saved from Fraser Lancaster’s pass.

Craig Billington shot wide for Emley and then Rushworth saved well with his legs from Dominic Noteman.

Ben Joyce had a great chance just over from another Eustance centre and Fatlum Ibrahimi’s late shot was deflected over the crossbar as Knaresborough finished strongly and confirmed their 8th place in the league table to improve on last year’s efforts.

Knaresborough Town: Jack Rushworth; Jonty Maullin (Toby Lees), Mike Morris, Nick Radcliffe, Calum Rodgers; George Eustance, Ben Parkes, Jim Bradley, Ben Joyce (Fatlum Ibrahimi); Brad Walker, Fraser Lancaster (Colin Heath).