NCEL: Late drama as Knaresborough Town steal point at death

Knaresborough Town manager Brian Davey said he was pleased with a point against Dronfield Town on Saturday, despite his side taking the lead in the first minute.
NAKP 1408235AM Knaresborough Town V Dronfield. (1408235AM)NAKP 1408235AM Knaresborough Town V Dronfield. (1408235AM)
NAKP 1408235AM Knaresborough Town V Dronfield. (1408235AM)

Joel Freeston gave Davey’s men the ideal start, seconds after the kick-off, as he ran on to Paul Hagreen’s long clearance before confidently slotting past Rich Henson in the Dronfield goal.

However, Jonny Pugh clawed the visitors level within minutes before Nick Horsfield poked the ball into the net on the half hour mark in a difficult half for the hosts.

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After changing formation, the home side produced a much improved second-half display and Graham Whitehead eventually grabbed an 87th minute equaliser to keep Knaresborough’s unbeaten start to the season intact.

Davey said he was pleased his side were able to salvage a point from the game after struggling to settle into the game early on.

He said: “Both our centre forwards were injured before the game so we changed formation but we did not seem to get going in the first half and really struggled.

“I knew we were going to have to change the formation so we switched to a more familiar 3-4-3 and we started to attack like we have done in previous games.

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“We got the equaliser and we looked like we could snatch a winner because we were all over them. It was just a little bit of poor finishing that let us down but we came out second half a different team.”

After three games, Knaresborough sit fifth in the league and remain unbeaten but Davey said his side were disappointed not to claim three points against Dronfield.

He said: “The lads felt a little bit down after the game but I told them that we have not played well at the start but still finished the game strongly.

“Whether we got the formation wrong or it was down to the injuries I’m not sure, but I’m pleased we got a point when it looked like we might not get anything.

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“We have the FA Cup at the weekend then a game against AFC Emley which will be difficult but it’s a game we really want to win.”

Knaresborough Town Reserves registered their first victory of the West Yorkshire League season with a 1-0 away victory over Horbury Town on Saturday.

After a 3-3 draw away at Ripon City in their opening fixture, Edmore Murau helped manager Jeff Wells to his first victory of the season with a goal after 44 minutes.

Wells said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ with his side’s non-stop performance and the great energy his side showed throughout.

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He said: “We were very happy with the result and the performance. it’s great to see the lads play with a smile on their face. I was not too deterred by our first game because all the machinery still had to be put together at that point.

“What I was more concerned about was how they reacted after scoring and half time.

“I was very happy with the clean sheet, especially after we lost Josh Yanac to injury and had to play the last ten minutes with ten men but we still managed to come away with an important one nil away win.”