Swallownest Miners Welfare Under 21's 3-2 Treeton Terriers Under 21's

 Swallownest Miners Welfare extended their winning streak to nine straight wins in the County Senior League Under 21 division with victory over Treeton Terriers in treacherous conditions.

Treeton took the lead early in the second half through Luke Beedham, who stroked in a one-on-one following a neat one-two with Chris Simpson.

However, Swallownest netted an equaliser when Alex Nightingale slotted in the equaliser from just inside the penalty area.

Nightingale turned provider for the goal which gave Swallownest the lead eleven minutes later. His low cross was to the feet of Jay Atkins at the far post who netted for 2-1.

Five minutes from time Swallownest had a third. Nightingale’s corner was eventually poked in by Jack Farrow.

That goal may have ended Treeton’s hopes of points, but there was still time for a consolation goal. Beedham was brought to ground inside the penalty area, and stroked his resulting spot-kick into the bottom right corner resulting in a 3-2 scoreline, as Swallownest’s consolidated their position at the top of the league. 

The hosts started the game with intent, with Alex Lill beating two defenders and crossing from the byline in the second minute, however Alex Nightingale’s effort was acrobatically kept out by goalkeeper Kyle Aldam.

Lill, a constant threat throughout, almost opened the scoring himself moments later; he received Jack Farrow’s cross with his back to goal, turning away from the defender and sending it at the keeper.

Still Swallownest pressed. Broadie Cooper sent a shot from long range wide of target before Lill’s turn and shot was denied by Aldam low to his left. Meanwhile, Treeton’s first effort through Callum Douglas was gathered by Swallownest’s Josh Lill.

As conditioned worsened the game opened up, Jay Atkins right-footed shot was parried by Aldam, whilst Joe Slater’s long range chance was caught by Lill.

As the rain began to pour, Treeton looked to capitalise. Douglas’ indirect free-kick was within a whisker of a number of attackers getting the required clinical touch; this was shortly followed by Douglas’ long-range effort falling just wide.

Luke Beedham’s cross was sent over by volleying substitute Chris Simpson and Douglas’ free-kick was denied by Lill, as Swallownest weathered the storm until half time.

It didn’t take long into the second half before Treeton did break the deadlock. On 47 minutes, Beedham passed to Simpson who demonstrated a sudden burst of pace down the left, before cutting inside and sending a beautiful return ball to Beedham who stroked the ball into the bottom right corner, sending the visitors into a 1-0 lead.

Swallownest almost came close to an instant response, but Atkins could only find the side netting from inside the penalty area. However, they got their deserved equaliser on 52 minutes when Alex Nightingale slotted into the bottom right corner for 1-1.

Still it was unclear who, if any, would end the match victorious. Slater’s long range effort for Treeton was caught by the goalkeeper, whilst Baines hoofed over the bar at the opposite end of the field following Nightingale’s corner kick.

Swallownest however began to create the majority of clear-cut chances as the game drew closer to its climax. Atkins passed to Lill whose low shot towards the bottom-left corner was parried by the goalkeeper. 

However, on 63 minutes the hosts took the lead for the first time in the game. Nightingale’s run to the right by-line was followed by a tap-in by Atkins at the far post; 2-1.

The Terriers still had half-chances; Douglas’ latest long-range effort going wide of the right post.

Despite the conditions, Lill’s ability was still apparent. The midfielder dispossessed a defender in an aerial challenge, with the resulting half-volley denied by the goalkeeper.

Swallownest Substitute Ryan Hall also looked a threat. His thunderous effort from the left superbly stopped by Aldam in the Terriers’ goal.

With ten minutes remaining Jason Markell crossed for Atkins whose turn and shot went wide of the left post. Markell’s long range shot a minute later also flew wide.

Welfare’s dominance soon resulted in a third goal. Nightingale’s corner eventually fell to the feet of Jack Farrow who poked home from close range.

Lill’s best moment of the game came with two minutes of time remaining. He sprinted from inside his own half to the opposition’s penalty area, before unselfishly passing to Nicky Coomber whose one-on-one was denied by Aldam.

However, Treeton were handed a route back into the match when Aminur Rhaman fouled Beedham. The striker picked himself up off the ground, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner for 3-2, but Treeton failed to conjure a chance of the equaliser, therefore recording just their second defeat of the season.

Swallownest Miners Welfare Under 21’s Team: Josh Lill, Adam Powell, Jack Farrow, Alex Nightingale, Jack Hutchinson, Brodie Cooper, Alex Lill, Jack Simmonite, Jay Atkins, John Baines, Sam Drury. Substitutes: Aminur Rhaman, Josh Thomas, Ryan Hall, Jason Markell, Chris Darius.

Treeton Terriers Under 21’s Team: Kyle Aldam, Shaun Jones, Mack Collinson, Kurt Fitter, Connor Simpson, Callum Douglas, Jack Squires, Kane Doughty, Hayden Spencer, Luke Beedham, Joe Slater. Substitutes: Chris Simpson, Tom Batholemew, Nicky Coomber, Piers Bond, Dan Abdulla.