Barnoldswick Town 3 Nelson 1

THE tireless work of the Barnoldswick Town groundstaff was rewarded as their team recorded a deserved North West Counties Premier Division win on Monday.

Stephen Naylor and Kevin Pickles worked all morning to get the pitch in shape but there was still standing water in places when the match kicked off.

Town's playing resources were stretched with Matthew Simpson, Carl Ellerton, Shaun Airey, Scott Moore and Anthony Pollard all unavailable due to injury.

Town keeper Jordan Gidley had to save an early shot from Nathan Webb while Chris Ridehalgh blocked an effort from Ryan Charnley before Town took the lead in the 18th minute.

Mark Threlfall capitalised on a mistake by the Nelson defence to shoot low past goalkeeper Sean Davis.

John Beckwith had a glorious chance to double the score when he found himself one on one with the keeper but lofted his shot over the bar.

The striker then had a shot well saved by Davis after Harry Thompson had opened up the defence.

At the other end Wayne Morrison managed to get a shot away from just outside the Town penalty area but it was straight at Gidley.

Town were having the better of the play with Thompson and Beckwith combining to set up Ben Gorman who saw his shot saved.

The busy Nelson keeper also came swiftly off his line to save at the feet of Threlfall before Town increased their lead.

Threlfall cut in from the left of the penalty area and gave Davis no chance with a low left-foot shot which flew into the net off a post.

Charnley rattled the Town crossbar from a 25-yard free kick which was awarded for a challenge which earned Michael Woodvine a yellow card.

Town also rattled the frame of the goal before the break. James Crorken met Arley Barnes' corner with a left-foot shot which came back off the underside of the bar to safety.

Town made it 3-0 after 53 minutes when Barnes and Threlfall combined to give Beckwith the chance to beat Davis from close range.

Nelson clawed a goal back in the 67th minute when Webb cut inside and curled a great left-foot shot into the far top corner of Gidley’s net.

The conditions deteriorated under the incessant rain and Webb went close again with ten minutes left after a cross from the Town left found its way to him at the far post.

But the home side stood firm and held on for a win that puts them in 11th place.