Nailers finish season with defeat

It only took six minutes for inform Stocksbridge to take the lead against Belper, with Rory Coleman profiting on an open goal after Danny Haystead had saved well from Scott Ruthven.

Alex Steadman got the Nailers back on level terms from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, Eric Graves won the penalty after Steels’ ‘keeper made a late challenge on the Nailers skipper after his effort went wide.

But it was Coleman whose spot kick won the game, he calmly converted from 12-yards out after Nailers’ full-back Louis Keenan had felled substitute Keegan Burton in the box.

The hosts probably should have made the result more comfortable against a Belper side on the back of three straight wins, as Haystead kept the score down with a trio of impressive saves just in the first period.

Ruthven had two chances to double Stocksbridge’s in quick succession on the quarter-hour mark, first Haystead saved well with his feet and then tipped over a powerful drive from two one-v-one situations.

Then Haystead produced a phenomenal save to keep out Liam McFadyen from a corner, Coleman’s in swinging corner found the head of Steels’ captain but Haystead clawed the ball away to safety.

Stocksbridge had more chances to add to their solitary one goal early in the second period, firstly Coleman’s in swinging cross evaded everyone but just went wide, and then Haystead again saved well at his near post from Ruthven.

Then after the two penalties in the second-half, it was the Nailers who looked the more likely to score, Jonathan Williams released substitute Brad Wells on a counter attack then Wells returned the favour but the midfielder could only awkwardly head over.

Five minutes from time it was Williams again trying to get his side back on level terms, he took the captains armband from the injured Eric Graves, but his diving header from Michael Armstrong’s cross went over and that as close as the Nailers got.

Belper Town finish the season on 54 points following today’s defeat, but have the prospect of the Derbyshire Senior Cup final against Alfreton Town on Tuesday night at Ilkeston’s New Manor Ground.

Stocksbridge Park Steels XI: D. Reay (GK), Meade, Tootle, Gregory, McFadyen (Capt.), M. Reay, Hinchcliffe (Rhodes 66’), Biggins, Poulton (Burton 66’), Ruthven (Thompson 82’), Coleman.

Unused subs: Laight, Hilton.

Belper Town XI: Haystead (GK), Allen, Keenan, Armstrong, Parker, Watt, Stevenson, Graves (Capt.) (Bryant 74’), Watkis (Wells 66’), Williams, Steadman.

Unused subs: Palmer, Constable, Mansfield (GK)

Referee: Steve Abbott

Assistant referees: Wayne Cooper & David Evans