Striker shines in Shelley win
CRAIG BILLINGTON bagged two more goals as Shelley sealed a morale-boosting win at Holker Old Boys.
The 2-0 victory in Barrow hoisted the Huddersfield side up to seventh in the Hallmark Security North West Counties League First Division North.
And it was the perfect response after a disappointing 4-1 home defeat by Nelson the previous Tuesday.
Tall striker Billington, Shelley’s close-season signing from Northern Counties East League Liversedge, has netted 25 times in 33 games.
That puts him third in the divisional chart behind Carlisle City’s 30-goal marksman Rob McCartney and Jay Hart, who has fired in 28 in all competitions for leaders Longridge Town, his latest coming in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Prestwich Heys.
Shelley boss Ash Berry made five changes to his starting side.
The two Smiths – centre-back Liam and left-sided midfielder Jordan – came in as well as right-back James Bootland and midfielders Jack Davies and Allan Greenwood.
Defender Adam Daffern and widemen Jacob Buchanan and Brad Riley dropped to the bench as Marc Townsend and Danny Lockwood missed the 120-mile trip North.
Versatile Carlton Pownall, a mid-season signing Northern Counties East League Eccleshill United, moved from right-back to central midfield and provide a key pivot in a 4-5-1 formation.
“We looked more balanced compared to Tuesday, and we provided better service to Craig, which proved crucial,” said Berry, whose side host St Helens Town on Saturday.
“It was a good, no-nonsense, hard-working performance, and it’s always nice to get a clean sheet as well as the three points.”
Billington notched his first from Pownall’s cross in the 62nd minute, then sealed the victory in stoppage time after being teed-up by Riley, who had combined neatly with fellow substitute Daffern.
It was Shelley’s 12th win of the season and their fourth double after those against AFC Blackpool, Daisy Hill and Prestwich.
AFC Emley fell to a 3-2 home defeat to Nostell Miners Welfare on Friday night.
The Pewits fell behind to a 30th-minute Kai Hancock strike, and things got worse just before half-time when Rhys Meynell doubled the lead from the penalty spot – and Emley were reduced to 10 men when Danny Stocker was sent off for dissent.
Jack Owen then made it 3-0 to the visitors. But Emley weren’t finished and hit back through a long-range Michael Bottomley shot. And Daniel Naidole netted the goal of the night with a volley from the edge of the area.
But it was too little, too late for Emley, who host Hallam in round four of the NCEL League Cup tomorrow at 7.45pm.
PW Grange Moor Saints A.F.C. ............ 17 14 Huddersfield YM FC.......................... 14 12 Deighton FC........................................... 16 11 Sporting C.A.V FC ............................... 17 11 Kirkburton .............................................. 16 9 Meltham Athletic ............................... 16 8 Flockton FC ............................................ 18 6 Cleckheaton AFC................................ 18 5 Wooldale Wanderers ....................... 16 4 Brighouse Athletic ............................ 19 4 Mount ........................................................ 20 3 Cartworth Moor A.F.C. ..................... 17 1