Belper return to winning ways

Belper Town came into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats but a battling performance ensured they got back to winning ways.

Nailers Captain Eric Graves scored what was to be the winner twenty minutes from time, stand-in centre forward Ben Watkis collected Phil Watt’s long ball and found Graves on the edge of the box, he expertly chested the ball down and turned the ball home.

Stocksbridge took the lead ten minute before half-time, Spencer Maw made his way down the right-wing skipping past a couple of challenges before crossing the ball to Joe Lumbsden, whose half-volley took a wicked deflection and left Haystead rooted to the spot.

Belper got back on level terms with the last action of the first-half, Jonathan Williams’ corner found Alex Steadman at the back post who emphatically smashed the ball home.

The win moves the Nailers above the Sheffield club despite them still having four games in hand, Belper now up to 12th position in the league and only four points off of the play-offs.

Two players made their full Belper Town debuts in a battling win, Kyle Bryant started at right-back with Michael Armstrong coming into the midfield for Sam Wood.

A game with very few clear cut chances but none-the-less another important win for the Nailers and also to halt a dip in form.

Charlie Palmer’s side travel to Daventry Town on Saturday as they look to build on tonight’s victory.

Belper Town: Haystead (GK), Bryant, Keenan, Armstrong (Leggitt 82’), Parker, Watt, Stevenson (Allen 78’), Graves (Capt.), Watkis (Constable 87’), Williams, Steadman.

Unused subs: Palmer, Mansfield (GK).

Stocksbridge Park Steels: D. Reay (GK), Meade, Coleman, Gregory, McFadyen, M. Reay, Maw, Biggins, Ruthven, Lumbsden (Poulton 77’), Litchfield (Paling 68’).

Unused subs: Tootle, Thompson, Laight

Attendance: 142

Referee: Sam Mulhall (Northwich)

Assistant referees Trevor Sharratt & Michael Gardner (Burton on Trent)